Splendid Laxmi Road
Located in the heart of the city, Laxmi road is a popular shopping hub for over decades. This road stretched over 3 kilometers offers an array of shopping stores varying from clothes to jewelry and even knick knacks.
This is one place where you will find people from every strata of the society shopping with equal gusto. Unlike the malls, Laxmi Road always witnesses genuine buyers. Be it handkerchiefs or your dress materials, large number of people still prefer to shop only at Laxmi road.
History: The history of Laxmi road dates back to 1912, when Diwan Bahadur Godbole came up with the concept of this commercial road. However it took 40 years to implement this concept which was actualized only in 1952.
It is believed that the road is named after Laxmibai, the wife of popular Dagadusheth Halwai. At the same time it is also said that the east west direction is ideal for commercial work and attracts wealth which means Laxmi in Sanskrit and hence the name.
For clothing: There are several commercial stores located on both sides of this busy street. With popular names like Hi Fashion, Karishma Boutique, Silk, Museum, Hastakala, Swamini, Vama, Jaihind and so many more, this roads takes care of the vivid tastes of every buyer in the market You will also find small stalls or roadside hawkers selling dress materials at a cost as low as 150 per set.
For jewelry shopping: When it comes to jewelry, Laxmi Road is the most trusted name for traditional and contemporary designs. Names like Ranka, P.N. Gadgil, Ashtekar Bros, Waman Hari Peth are some of the popular stores to visit. Run by different generations, they continue to flourish in the jewelry business with a few twists and turns in the management system.
While few shops chose to revamp their look, others did not feel the requirement for the same as they have their set of their loyal patrons walking in regularly irrespective of the changing trends.
Revamped look: With the increasing mall culture, the entrepreneurs at Laxmi road have come up with mini malls that sell latest fashion in both western and traditional outfits at reasonable cost. Apart from garments and jewelry, you will also come across footwear, eateries, household goods, sweet marts, cosmetics and hosiery stores.
The narrow road is always bustling with activities and the huge crowd visiting it regularly makes this street even more packed and crowded. Especially during festive season, almost half of Pune throngs this place to buy their share of goodies. Therefore a viable option of travelling would be the autos to this shopping haven.
To make the shopping experience more pleasurable, the entrepreneurs on Laxmi road will now come live. Yes the site www.laxmiroad.in that is currently under construction will soon bring your favorite shops online, allowing you to purchase you favorite items, from the comforts of your home.
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I feel the new mini shopping mall is going to take out the old charater of laxmi road, we should not promote it. Attempt should be made to conserve the charater, laxmi road is only one in this world, if these malls comeup, it will be any other street in the world.
hoarding is a big minace in happering the visual charcater of the street. unfortunately nobody is able to control it. India has very little sence on preservation. I feel sorry for all this.