Parents who send their children to school can buy relevant items at the school fair opened near the Central Market, situated on Mitropolit Varlaam street, the section between the streets Armeneasca and Bulgara. The market offers school supplies, backpacks and clothing for students. Vendors say they don't have many buyers yet, but hope that they will pop and shop over the course of the next few days.
The cost for pens, pencil boxes, notebooks, plasticine, pencils, etc. may amount to several hundred lei. Victoria Ceban, saleswoman, says parents usually prepare a shopping list with the help of teachers. The price of pens ranges from 1.5 lei to 15 lei. The 12-sheet notebooks cost around 80 bani, while the 96-sheet ones cost about 8-9 lei.
Prices for backpacks range from 260 to 420 lei. Liliana Cocieru, saleswoman, says people are looking for cheaper backpacks, probably to be able to distribute more money for school clothing. Backpacks for younger pupils have prints with cartoon characters. Older students opt for single shade backpacks with as few accessories as possible. Most backpacks are orthopedic, even the cheapest ones. The woman says that previous experience taught her that most people buy school supplies during the last few days before the start of the school year.
Natalia Năstase, the manager of a store that participates in the fair, offers a wide range of children's clothing, including uniforms. The prices of shirts range from 200 to 300 lei. The pants cost around 350 lei. There are various models of blouses, which start at 200 lei and reach 480 lei. The vendor says that there is close to no demand for black clothes, as most opt for dark blue.
Track suits can be bought at the fair for about 350 lei, while shoes are sold at the 350-450 lei range. Natalia Postolache, saleswoman, says that clothing items are offered at affordable prices.
The fair next to the Central Market will be open until September 14. MoldExpo holds the "School Fair" until September 1. The fair is open to visitors between 10.00 and 18.00.
