The former department store Bucuresti, on Lipscani street in the capital's Old Town, which has been laying empty for years, will become an anti-mall for three days in the beginning of December.

An initiative of beer producer Ursus Breweries under its brand Grolsch, the event will allow artisans to display their hand crafted products in the store on December 6, 7, and 8.

In total, 15 craftsman will take part in the experiment, which is meant to encourage collective creativity and non-conformism. The artisans do this activity in their free time, as many of them are working for multinational companies.

The ground floor of the store will feature stands with products from those who make a living out of their passion. These will include a stand for famous Romanian tower Ivan Patzaichin, who builds boats.

On the first floor, 'corporate' employees will sell their handmade products. The last floor is dedicated to restaurants. Traditional food will be sold there, while the atmosphere will be brightened by music of several experimental bands. Organizers expect some 30,000 visitors during the three days of the anti-mall. The anti-mall will open on Friday, December 6, at 13,00, and concerts will start daily at 20,30.

The Bucuresti store was one of the iconic department stores form the communist period. Together with the Victoria store on Calea Victoriei, and Cocor and Unirea stores at Unirii square, these were the go to places for shoppers during the communist period. Out of these stores, Unirea and Cocor have been revamped and turned into modern malls, while Victoria is still a combination of new and old.

Bucuresti is the only one which was closed. Built in the inter-war period, the store was closed in the early 2000, and the heirs of its original owner Bucur Bunescu, one of the richest Romanians in the inter-war period, received the store in 2010 by High Court order.

editor@romania-insider.com