Asian Artefacts
Asian Artefacts, 9 Rua Dos Negociantes, Coloane Main Street (tel 853 881 022)
Asian Artefacts sits along the main street linking Coloane Square and St Xavier's church. The street is more a cosy lane than a main thoroughfare, with just a handful of shops running along it. Asian Artefacts specialises in antiques, selling restored Chinese pieces, plus a few artefacts from around the region.
Owner Anita Lauder set up the shop in the late 1970s, and has since built up a trusted network of contacts in China to restore the antiques she finds during her regular visits to the mainland. Each piece of furniture is accompanied by a 'before' and 'after' photograph, to assure customers that the pieces are genuine antiques. Most of the pieces are about 100 to 150 years old, and range from one-seater stools to side pieces, wardrobes and chairs.
Ms Lauder affixes what she considers a fair price for a genuine antique. A wardrobe goes for about $5,000. She has built up a steady client base over the years, which includes private individuals, designers and dealers.
Customers unable to visit the shop can ask to have photographs and details sent by e-mail. Shipments can be arranged to any part of the world. A bonus to visiting Ms Lauder's shop in Coloane is that the owner is a good person to ask about restaurants and places to visit in Macau.
Apartments may not be on everyone's shopping list, but it is true that many Hong Kong and mainland visitors popping to Macau are snapping up flats there. People are realising the potential of property investment in a place that is preparing itself for bigger things.
In addition, an influx of construction workers, brought in to build an array of entertainment complexes in Macau, is fuelling the property boom. Warren Rooke, who is well informed about the property market (and is the husband of Asian Artefacts' owner Anita Lauder), says another reason for Macau's property boom is a special government scheme under which, for $1 million, investors can apply for residency.
The money could be in the form of property. Most properties being sold as investments are located on Coloane and Taipa islands (areas popular with expatriates and the middle class), and can go for a third, or even half, the price of corresponding properties in Hong Kong.
Gourmet Fine Food
Nova Taipa Garden, Block 25, G/F Taipa (tel 853 841 436)
Taipa island is home to Macau's latest delicatessen, supplying top quality products to local expatriates and visitors. Gourmet Fine Food is run by a French family who lived in Portugal for 20 years before moving to Macau seven years ago. The shop, which opened in January, is the result of the family's love for good food. The concept has proven so popular with the local French and Portuguese communities that the owners plan to open a coffee shop. The venue also supplies a number of restaurants and hotels in Macau. Supplies are sourced mostly from France, Portugal and Italy, and flown in once a week. The deli counter offers a large selection of pungent cheeses, dairy products and fresh meats. There are also large jars of olives packed in herbs and spices, dried foods, Italian pasta, even cereals and baby food, and of course olive oils, wines and ports. About 2,000 products are available.
Taipa Sunday Fair, Taipa Village
Once a week, on Sunday, the village buzzes with extra activity when little market stalls open to sell everything from curios to tea-towels and portraits sketched on the spot by local artists. The fair begins at the end of the food street, and there are more stalls selling souvenirs and food further on in the village.