Friday, October 24, 2014

Lakeland in India

Wifey was very excited when she got back from a visit to Phoenix mall. Apparently she had visited a store (with her friend) which had home appliances
“You won’t believe the items they have in their store! You should have seen the way they did the icing on the cake. It was so easy and so smooth. Here we struggle and everything gets stuck in the icing bag. I simply love what they have at their baking section”

I was curious about this icing thing and wanted to know what it was and where she saw it.
“It’s a new store that has come up at the Phoenix mall. You know they have all the items that one requires for baking, and here we have to request our friends to get things when they come from abroad. That reminds me . . . . . . I have to mail Linda and tell her not to get that enamel pie dish. The dish I want is available here”

Now this was news to me. So I decided to visit the store. The next weekend we drove down to Phoenix market city and she showed me the Lakeland store. The first thing that I liked about the store was that the items displayed there were mostly made in UK, Germany or Sweden.


The guarantee says The Lakeland guarantee is probably the simplest guarantee in the world! If you are not satisfied with your product any time, you receive your money back! This is our promise.

Initially I was a bit wary about the price tags but if the above guarantee comes with it, then I think it is worth it.
Wifey lead me to a shelf and showed me the Pie dish. 


It was indeed made of enamel and said “oven safe up to 250 deg” Somehow these enamel dishes reminded me of the enamel mug and dish my dad had which was a carryover from his army days.  


Old things are back in fashion I suppose.



I liked those bottles. The milk bottles reminded me of the days when I used to go to fetch milk early in the morning as a kid.  



Wifey showed me the Bundt cake pan and said, “I know we have one at home but it is made of silicon which has a life of its own and tilts to one side. I would like to have this metal one”
It seems the Lakeland store was recently opened here in India, with only two outlets. One in Pune and the other one in Bangalore (at the Forum mall) There is also talk about one being opened in Mumbai. I believe they are brought to you by the Westside stores


 I read a little about the Lakeland store. It started about half a century ago in UK and is owned by a British family. They search the world for innovative products to make everyday life easy and enjoyable.
They had a variety of items, like plastic spoon spatula, parchment papers, latte glass, knife sets, colour changing egg timer, reusable ice cubes (I must Google and find out how those cubes work)





The layout of the store too was good with ample space to browse as well as to push a pram without disturbing other customers.  



There were some good recipe books too on display  


  
I saw wifey avidly eyeing the Ravioli maker (yes, I know what it is. I can hardly miss it when the telly is religiously switched on at home for Masterchef-Australia)  

“What about that icing tool that you wanted?”  I asked her.
She said that it was presently out of stock, but she has apparently placed an order and the store would inform her when the stock arrived.


So now on priority it’s the icing tool, the enamel pie dish and the Bundt Cake pan that will be coming home shortly.


15 comments:

Jim and Sandie said...

I used to really enjoy kitchen stuff stores. So many neat tools. But as I've gotten older - I really don't cook or bake near as much. And living in an RV means not a whole lot of room. So I don't visit those stores anymore. However, I love my bundt pan. Use it all the time. Just think of all the goodies you'll get when those dandy items make it to your home.

Joanne Noragon said...

I love specialty stores. I could have everything.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Oh yes, Lakeland is big here in UK... I can't afford their stuff!!! In all likelihood the prices in India are more to my taste; one of the anomalies of international trade!!! Certainly sounds like 'wifey' will be entertained for a while... YAM xx

Sharmila said...

I love that store. :)

orvokki said...

Looks very nice store.
Have a happy weekend !

Myrna R. said...

My husband loves to cook. He would love that store.

Connie said...

This sounds like a very interesting store. I would probably enjoy going there to see what all they offer in way of merchandise.

Red Handed said...

More than these interesting pans and cookware...what I am excited about are the things are going to cooked in them :D

trees said...

Now I have to visit the Bangalore store :)

Arti said...

I visit Westside stores often, next time I am there, I shall keep an eye on 'Lakeland'

A Colorful World said...

I love stores like this...you can get everything fun and handy for the kitchen! I once saw an aerosol container that makes instant whipped cream. Just pour the cream in, give it a couple of quick shakes and press the button and viola!

Unknown said...

Wow. That looks like a dangerous store. I know when I visit, I would walk out with so many bags. I love the kitchen.

Karen Xavier said...

Looks like an interesting store, I hardly visit that mall... it's a long way from home. Ravioli maker, I would prefer David Rocco for that...

Indrani said...

Wonderful store. I like those old stuffs on sale.

Anonymous said...

Interesting article (especially for woman folks back home to whom I have forwarded it).
I know now that a visit to this mall and few more expenses are soon in store for me - Awadhut Natekar