Page 83 - Annual Magazine 2018

PANTOPOLEIO | THE HEART OF THE TOWN

THE CENTER OF TOWN
At the turn of the 20th century in Greece and Cyprus, the local ‘Pantopoleio’
was the meeting point for all the town residents. The word itself literally
translates to ‘shop that sells everything,’ and it was the sole retailer for all
residents’ daily supplies. Mothers would wrangle up unruly children and
march to the pantopoleio, shopping list in hand, to secure the family’s
weekly groceries. There was always a friendly face behind the counter, one
who knew each customer by name, who would often wink at the small
children playing hide and seek among the large bins of legumes and shelves
of washing powder and soap. Older children would visit, with their few
coins clutched tightly in hand, to buy their weekly ration of sweets and
lemonade. Outside, dice would rattle against backgammon boards, as men

Pantopoleio: The word itself

literally translates to “shop

that sells everything”.

APHRODITE HILLS RESORT PANTOPOLEIO
Aphrodite Hills Resort has replicated the sense of community that the
congregated after a long day of work for a cup of coffee and some lively Pantopoleio is known for, with its very own shop right in the center
discussion. Once found in every neighborhood, today the ‘pantopoleio’ has of the Resort. Residents and guests alike are greeted by friendly,
gone the way of the blacksmiths, the tailors, and the milliners, taken over welcoming staff, and a diverse range of products, including fresh fruits
by gleaming new supermarkets and shopping malls. However, they are and vegetables, frozen foods, dairy products, household cleaning
still found in many villages, selling all basic necessities, from foodstuffs to products, and even souvenirs. All products are sold at competitive
cleaning materials and general household items, and usually flanked by the prices, and frequently include special offers. The Pantopoleio is open
neighborhood coffee shop or ‘kafeneio.’ seven days a week.
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Aphrodite Hills Resort “European Golf Resort of the Year 2018”