Galeria Bonarka Kraków
Why is Galeria Bonarka Kraków important? Let me explain. I am an American living in Kraków Poland. When I came here over five years ago, I was the richest guy riding on the tram. Now I look around me and I ask myself, am I even average? I do not think so. Polish people have become rich.
Polish people will say no, but it is true (Polish people sometimes complain). However, this is is the fact, Poland has always been a great nation, just manifest in different ways for different times.
Now Poland and Krakow is becoming rich not only from a cultural, spiritual and historic center but also capitalist center. Galeria Bonarka is a manifestation of this but not really anything great in itself of course.
Kraków is still charming and historic. But the reality is Kraków is getting rich. Galeria Bonarka will also create jobs and investment and make it even richer.
Gareria Bonarka city center the largest in Europe
Galeria Bonarka Kraków is the largest shopping center in Kraków, oh wait Poland, no wait, central Europe. Well it is over 200,000 square meters and will be bigger than anything in the UK or America. At this current time it matches the UK and the USA.
Galeria Bonarka vs. Mall of America - Bonarka city center wins
The only thing in the USA that comes close to Galeria Bonarka (234 thousand square meters) is the Mall of America in Michigan (259 thousand square meters or the two king of Prussia malls in Philadelphia combined (257 thousand square meters). The UK or Ireland does not have anything that will come close to this real estate investment.
You may say Galeria Bonarka is smaller by a bit. But the reality is it will not be done until 2012, at that juncture is you take into consideration the entire Kraków shopping complex of Bonarka it will be larger.
I love America but Poland is the new world. Full of economic energy and development and the investments are new and shinny, while America is the old world and a lot of the things look thirty years old.
In 2012 it should be bigger than any shopping center in the USA or Europe. (it will be done in 3 years as they are going to add to it).
It even has a Walmart type store. It is called Auchen it is a French store even though it sounds German.
I can not believe how much Krakow has changed in 5 years.
That combined it the five other large Galleria makes Krakow, now the shopping center of Europe.
I guess Polish people have money. I think it is because all the businesses flooding into Krakow from all over the world. It is an outsourcing and IT, high tech capital, its like the silicon valley was in the USA.
Cheese has moved to Kraków (as manifest by Bonarka)
Anyway, there is a book in the USA called ‘who moved my Cheese’ it is about corporate America and how to survive. It says change is the rule in business. And the mouse that does not see this will ask ‘who moved my cheese’. The smart mouse will not cry about it, but look for a new source of cheese.
I think the cheese moved to Krakow.
Let me know your comments about Galeria Bonarka. I know this is a little off the topic languages but I like to write about all things of interest to me and Kraków, Poland is something that does.
4 responses to Galeria Bonarka
Typical Polish they have to be bigger and better than every1 else, well try to! I have been to this shopping centre and it was a mess not finished dirty miss mash of shops nothing like a wall mart type store. ( The UK or Ireland does not have anything that will come close to this real estate investment) the person who wrote this needs to do some home work, the UK is full of places far better then this place and the US even bigger! Krakow is not the shopping centre of Europe and never will be. Have you ever been out of Poland?
Have I ever been out of Poland? I am American and my brother is British. I have been all over the world. I prefer Poland. Poland is clean and have everything you need from a shopping standpoint but with out the attitude of the UK for example.
Mark I think you hit the nail on the head to be honest – I’ve been living in Zakopane for the last 4 years and now have a business there, we spend a lot of time in Krakow as well, mainly just relaxing and enjoying the city. I too have seen the changes going on in Poland and have the same thoughts with regards to when I first came to Poland (aged 21) the exchange rate was high and life was good as a Brit in Poland spending money earnt in the UK, compared to now where there are much clearer similarities between here and back home. I still love the country though so quite happy to live as an average guy in Poland. I think Jon’s response “typical Polish have to be bigger and better” is a bit of a misjudged reply as the America’s of this world were once also once trying to build “bigger and better” when they were booming. I’m actually in Krakow right now and heading to Bonarka this morning so I’ll have my views on that later but I think it’s exciting to see these things developing in Poland and why not go bigger and better??
Agreed, In Poland you have many options, large very inexpensive shops like Auchens or small personalized shops. I will be going to Galeria Bonarka this afternoon. Almost as good as doubling your income is cutting your expenses and the time you need to run around shopping. You can go to one place with good prices and have more free time to do other things.
Leave a reply to Galeria Bonarka