A couple of months ago I received an email from fellow blogger and travel enthusiast Geggie of So … What Else, What Else, What Else?, who was promoting a fabulous new organization called The 3/50 Project.
 

 
The idea behind the project is to support your local businesses $50 at a time, or actually only $50 a month. Regular customers like you and me pledge to spend $50 a month combined at three locally-owned businesses we’d miss if they went out of business.
 
While it may seem easier in a place like Calabria, where fresh bakeries, homemade cheese shops and fresh produce stands are easy to find, I still have to make a point to shop with the little guys. As Joe pointed out in a recent post on Italyville, large supermarkets and shopping malls are popping up throughout southern Italy and Bella Calabria is at risk of losing its charm and becoming a cookie cutter destination like many others.
 
An idea that isn’t limited to southern Italy.
 
Back in my small southeast Texas hometown, my 8 year-old nephew was dismaid when yet another dollar store made its way to our main drag.
 
“I hate it,” he said sadly as he rode past the now-empty buildings of long-forgotten shops.
 
“Now Kountze looks like every other little town around here. We were just fine before … with Mama Jacks and Brookshire Bros.”
 
And so we were.
 
So, today I challenge you to join the 3/50 project and help keep small businesses alive in your community. Your kids-or at least your nieces and nephews-will thank you.
 
In Calabria, I’d miss the bakery and cheese shop that are next door to our bed and breakfast, as well as the shoe store in nearby Soverato. What about you? What businesses would you miss in your hometown?
 

 
If you’ve been around the Italy expat scene for a while, you have likely heard tale of disheartening shopping trips, overpriced shoes, bags and bras or the never-ending search for a properly-fitting pair of jeans.
 
Shopping in Italy when you are on vacation=fun.
 
Shopping in Italy when you live here and a pair of pants costs a week’s salary=not so fun.
 
Until now.
 
Tuesday, April 7 was the Grand Opening of a new centro commerciale near Catanzaro Lido. Located about seven kilometers from my house, Le Fontane Shopping Center-senza le fontane-is a sight for a shopaholic’s sore eyes.
 

 
The center’s main attraction is France’s “walmartesque” Auchan superstore,whose top exterior walls are covered in quaint Calabrian village scenes.
 

 
Inside, the store is typically Italian, but the Calabrese display offers shoppers a taste-test of some of Calabria’s finest homemade mixes.
 

 
This €30 million center features Media World electronics, shoe stores, lingerie stores, sporting stores, restaurants, bars, a travel agency, post office and is also home to Calabria’s newest H&M.
 

 
And this makes me happy.
 
Very happy.
 
On a quick information-gathering excursion yesterday, I uncovered a cocktail dress for €29.00, shoes for €24.00 and summer pants, sundresses and t-shirts for around €14.00 each.
 
Remember, this trip was purely for reconnaissance.
 
It was my sacrifice for you.
 
Next time I go, I’ll leave my husband at home. Take his checkbook. And bring along some of my favorite expat gal-pals.
 
Won’t you join me?
 
Have you ever shopped in a H&M? What did you think? If you’ve been to/lived in Italy, what is your favorite store here and why?
 

Le Fontane Shopping Center

SS 106

Catanzaro Lido (Calabria)

 
Part of this post was originally published in March, ’07, but since I’ve been out of the country for the better part of a month, I’ve missed my markets and I wanna talk about ‘em again.
 
You see, Thursday is Market Day in Catanzaro Lido and like all good Calabrians, I like to make my way there at least once a month. The rows of €5.00 shirts, nickle trinkets and fresh flowers pull me in every time.
 

 
And I love it.
 
Recently, my hubby and I were enjoying a passeggiata at the market when I saw a line of the cutest, most feminine lingerie ever!
 

 
Ok, well it wasn’t exactly the most feminine lingerie I have ever seen, but it was pretty darn cute for the mercatino.