Shopping Therapy in Noto
by
Matt Bird
Noto increasingly attracts international guests who have sophisticated shopping tastes. Noto will never compete with London, Paris, and New York, but it offers something different.
Something different is not found on some of Noto's corso or main street, which attracts thousands of tourists and has the usual array of tacky souvenir shops.
The more adventurous travellers find the shopping gems slightly off the beaten track. As always, I want to share my personal favourites with you...
Sant' Agatha Noto
Sant Agatha is a luxury brand concept store located at the end of my street, Principe Umberto, in Noto Alta, a historic residential neighbourhood.
Sant Agatha is a beautifully restored church with grand ceilings and a grant mural. It contains pieces from well-known luxury brands and a few rarer items. Sant Agatha is worth a mooch even if only to enjoy the grandeur and beauty of the building.
Location: Chiesa di Sant' Agatha, Via ER Trgona
Instagram: Sant' Agatha
A’mare Noto
A’mare is my favourite fashion store in Noto and is always on my list to pop into on any trip.
The proprietor, Moni, is as cheeky as she is charming and a delight to chat with in her eloquent English or my broken Italian.
I never leave Moni’s store without finding something beautiful for my Silian or London wardrobe or a lovely gift for my mum, sister or daughter.
Location: Corso Vittoria Emanuele 43
Instagram: A'mare
Spazio Noto
Spazio is a tiny art boutique that always has something fresh and a little different on display.
The proprietor, Paolo, always welcomes visitors with his trademark smile and conversation. I love popping in to see Paolo and to see what may be newly displayed since my last visit.
My favourite purchase was a palm tree standing lamp with a stem and leaves made from brass with lights tucked away underneath.
Location: Via Rocco Pirri 32
Instagram: Spazio
Venerabili Ragazze
Venerabili Ragazze is a home furnishings store full of beautiful items to adorn your home.
It is owned by the family behind Seven Rooms Hotel and Viva Il Bistrot.
When in Sicily, I naturally buy Sicilian homeware; however, Venerabili Ragazze offers beautiful French homeware, so sometimes, I break my own rule.
The gigantic paper mache elephant head hanging on the wall seems to peer over you as you mooch around the goodies.
Location: Via C Benso di Cavour 35
Instagram: Venerabili Ragazze
Selicia Handmade
Selicia Handmade is a tanner with wallets, purses, bags, belts etc.
What I love is that they are willing to make products to order in the design, leather, colour, and size of your choosing, and they add initials or particular words to make your gift really unique.
I asked them to make a pair of bedside leather trays for keys, cash and glasses together with the name of my home, 'The Rooftop,' in the leather - they completed the little commission for the next day!
Location: Via Ruggero Settimo 18
Instagram: NA
