Madison Friends of International Students

SHOPPING

You can find stores in your neighborhood by consulting the Yellow Pages.

• Specialty shops sell one type of product or service, for example cameras, furniture, books, shoe repair etc.
• Department stores sell almost everything needed for the household and for personal use (including clothes), except food.
• Supermarkets (grocers) sell a complete selection of food plus a variety of small household items and video tapes.
• Cooperative Food Stores: Members pay a small fee to belong to the co op. Members do some of the store work, and, in return, pay less for many of the products. Rice and wheat are available in bulk, rather than in package quantities. Call North Farm Cooperative (241 2667) to find out where there is a co op in your neighborhood.
• Discount stores sell almost everything except automobiles at lower prices than regular department stores.
• Drug stores sell prescriptions furnished by your doctor and prepared by licensed pharmacists. They also sell patent medicines, camera supplies, cosmetics, magazines, newspapers, greeting cards, sanitary goods, baby needs, and many other articles.
• Hardware stores sell carpentry and garden tools, cooking utensils, tableware, electrical supplies and appliances, toys, radios, clocks, and many small items.

Campus/Downtown (Campus Area, State St., Monroe St., University Ave., University Square, and nearby streets): variety of specialty shops, including barber and beauty shops, small food stores, dry cleaners, drug stores, book stores, and restaurants. Capitol Centre Foods, on 111 North Broom Street, is a conveniently located supermarket, which is open 24 hours a day.

Shopping Centers/Malls:

• The largest shopping centers are East Towne Mall (244-1501, http://www.shopeasttowne-mall.com/) and West Towne Mall (833-6330, http://www.shopwesttowne-mall.com/): Department stores, supermarkets, many specialty shops. Buses run from the campus to these areas. Hour 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Monday through Saturday, 11 am - 6pm Sundays. Hilldale Mall, located at the corner of University Avenue and Midvale Blvd. is a convenient upscale mall which many students enjoy.
• Beltline area: on the highway around the edge of the city: discount stores, automobile dealers, and some large specialty stores. Some of these areas cannot be reached by city bus.

Bargaining is not an accepted shopping practice in the United States. Prices are clearly marked. Services also have set prices. It is acceptable to bargain for the price of a new or used car. Stores advertise "sales," with prices reduced, in order to induce people to buy. They may offer low prices on regular merchandise, reduced prices on seasonal goods or items with a small defect, (which are called "seconds" or "irregular.") On some items, there may be no saving at all. Evaluate your purchases carefully.

All items except food carry a state and county sales tax of 5.5%, which is not included in the price tag. Many services also have this sales tax. There is also a Federal tax on some items such as gasoline, liquor, and tobacco.

If you have a complaint about an unfair business practice, contact the Wisconsin Office of Consumer Protection at 266 1852. This office exists to protect consumers from fraudulent and deceptive practices.

Many supermarkets have an imported / ethnic food section. The following grocers specialize in imported foods:

ASIAN

• Asian Midway Foods, 301 S. Park Street, 255-5864
• Lee's Oriental Grocer, 3240 University Avenue, 231-1593
• Oriental Food Market, 1206 S. Park Street, 255-0326
• Oriental Shop, 1029 S. Park Street, 251-7991
• Yue-Wah Oriental Foods, 2328 S. Park Street, 257-9338
• Thakek Video & Asian Food Store, 1310 S. Midvale Blvd., 298-0743

INDIAN

• Bombay Bazzar, 2807 University Ave., 321-1211
• Yue-Wah Oriental Foods (see above)
• Asian Midway Foods (see above)

EUROPEAN

• Fraboni's Italian Specialties and Delicatessen, 822 Regent St. (256-0546) and 108 Owen Rd ((222-0546)
• Gino's Italian Deli, 4606 Verone Rd., 273-1981
• Bavaria Sausage Kitchen, 6317 Nesbitt Rd., 271-1295, http://www.bavariasausage.com/
• Clasen's European Bakery, 7610 Donna Dr., Middleton, 831-2032
• La Brioche Bakery, 509 S. Midvale Blvd, 233-3388
• Emian's European Bakery & Café, 4544 Monona Dr., 224-0888

MEXICAN

• La Mexicana Grocery, 36 S. Fair Oaks Ave., 241-4554
• Yue-Wah Oreintal Foods (see above)

MIDDLE EASTERN

• LuLu's Deli and Restaurant, 2524 University Ave., 233-2172

Markets sometimes close permanently and new ones open. Telephone change frequently.