UNIC Shopping Center, Chisinau

Not so long ago, those nostalgic for the Soviet legacy in Chisinau could more or less satisfy their passion whilst visiting UNIC shopping center. The store was founded in 1945, being one of the first commercial enterprises in the country, and was for many years, up until the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, known as Tsentral'nii Univermag (Russian for Central Supermarket).

A decade prior to that the store had expanded and moved to its new (current) location. Curiously enough, even as recently as the 2010s, entering here still made one feel like stepping back in time – circa 1984 or earlier – finding all sorts of old-fashioned gifts, souvenirs, cosmetics, Soviet-style appliances, crockery and retro furniture, sewing items, handicrafts, clothing, bags and leather goods on sale. The onsite cafe also added to the impression with waitresses serving same kind of bagels they did 25 years ago. Only the presence of plasma TVs broke the illusion.

Today things have changed courtesy of the European-based designer firm that has created phased redevelopment and extension of UNIC shopping center to house a new food court and external terraces, a new office tower and an underground car park, plus the regeneration of the adjacent public plaza. Some of this has already materialized; the rest is due over the next few years.

Presently, the historic 5-story shopping centre delights visitors with a solid range of merchandise. Each floor carries a certain variety to suit different tastes and purposes: 1st (ground) floor – accessories, jewelry and cosmetics; 2nd floor – women's clothes and footwear; 3rd floor – DIN INIMA brand products by Moldovan manufacturers, including children's clothing & footwear, and toys; 4th floor - menswear and accessories; 5th floor – fabrics and goods for home.

Those keen on traditional products, should check out the Moldovan-made long-hair carpets (cerga, niturca, satranca), dolls, pottery (wine jugs, bowls), wood carvings and woven baskets.