**Fashion Street in Famagusta **List on Google Maps.
One of my flatmates from the Gambia was travelling back home then I decided to shop for my sister, my niece and nephew as a surprise. On my way to my best friend Rosaline’s house who also lives near the same avenue to help me shop for my sister. She is a model, makeup and nails artist and works from home as a startup during her free university hours, a fun fact my first name is actually her last name 
. While I was heading to Rosaline’s, I told my sister that I was just checking for what to get whenever I can and did some window shopping with her through video calls in some stores at İsmet İnönü Boulevard to have a better understanding of what she loves and need for casual and workwear, I was so ready to shop that day and make her happy. When I was shopping, I told her that most of the things she wanted weren’t available in her size or I couldn’t afford it then I ended up getting everything just to surprise her.
My relationship with my sister.
We grew up together and have always lived together until early 2019 when she moved to her new house with her husband and children. Within a month or two I also travelled for studies; this was the first time we have spent more than two months away from each other. During our childhood, I was the crackhead who always got into trouble and she would protect me, stand there crying each time when my late dad would want to beat me which always made him change his mind. In elementary school, she was my wonder woman who would fight and beat the shit out of any guy who tries to fight or bully me. In secondary school, I was the jealous brother who wouldn’t let anybody get close to his sister and all the guys got scared of me then she went to all-girls high school.
Shopping as a Local Guide; I am always keen to contribute on Google Maps particularly accessibility, reviews and photos then other relevant contribution if it’s lacking. By the time I got Rosaline, I had already checked the stores I visited on Google Maps to do contributions afterwards.
The first store I added was Little Star Kids where I shopped all the children clothing and the owner was so excited when I told her about it, I was also amazed by her customer services and quality of kids clothing I could get from her store. My phone died while I was shopping so couldn’t continue but a few days later, I went on to add more missing stores.
Bayramoğlu is a Shoe Store founded by Bayram Mehmet, who at 22 in 1958 started the business in Ağrotur camp, one of the British Sovereign Bases. Later continue selling military shoes he produced to shoemakers in Limassol and Nicosia and retailed for other shoemakers as well. The business has now expended 8 stores in total in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, 3 in Kyrenia town, 4 in Nicosia and 1 in Famagusta
City Center which I added on Maps also bought a shoe here for my sister. What intrigued me more about this business is, I have been looking for good quality strap shoes and Clarks since I got here and it was just perfect and packed with it also at a reasonable price in comparison to others.
DeFacto opened its first branch in 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey. In 2011 they became the second-largest appealing brand within the fashion sector in Turkey. As of now, DeFacto operates in 30 countries with 500+ stores. I did the most shopping here for her due to the discount and how amazing the clothing products were. I bought a beautiful cross leather handbag a type my sister has always wanted, some causal and workwear to match her work clothing as she works at a bank. DeFacto opened their first store in Famagusta late 2015 then Kyrenia second in 2019 and in Nicosia third same year.
I was shocked to learn their Famagusta outlet business listing wasn’t on Google Maps then I immediately added them. The edit was approved and published within a minute but when I wanted to write a review a few days later I saw Google is still reviewing my suggestion which takes a miracle to be approved despite providing accurate information, following all guidelines, having a community of local guides to facts check particularly here in North Cyprus.
Terranova is a famous International Italian fashion brand Vittorio Tadei gave birth to from his sister’s clothing shop in 1961 in Riccione, Italy but Terranova was set up in 1988. The brand is under Teddy Group with many other brands and businesses in the clothing lines. Terranova has 3 outlets in North Cyprus; Lefkoşa, Gazimağusa and Girne. I bought some beautiful ladies’ clothing’s here for my sister and there was a discount at some of the women sections during my visit. My contribution here mainly was accessibility since they were already on map, I also reviewed them which they responded to because they among the few brands here are verified on Google Maps.
**LC Waikiki **is a well-known Turkish brand initially Founded in 1988 by three French partners. In 1997 Tema Textile Taha Group acquired the worldwide rights to the brand where it grew in Istanbul and became where it is today. LC Waikiki perhaps is the most famous clothing store in North Cyprus and I believe in Turkey as well. I wanted to write a review and share some photos after shopping a couple of times in early July this year, I was surprised to discover such a huge brand was missing, so my inner Local guide got the work done. I added them, reviewed plus photos including accessibility information.
LC Waikiki is among the few stores with excellent accessibility from parking all the way inside, I didn’t contribute after getting stuff here for my sister. Magusa Accessible Clothing Stores list
Shoe for Me is a small business very famous when it comes to shoes in my city particularly with students, the store is always crowded with shoe lovers and it was the first store I bought shoes from when I got here. I got a pair here for my sister with Rosaline’s help.
I tweeted about shopping for my sister encouraging my fellow men to shop for the women in their life, as women love it plus it makes them happy. It blew among my followers and had so many likes and engagement that I was surprised. One of my friends immediately sent it to her boyfriend and another one screenshotted and sent to her family WhatsApp group. Like I did on Twitter I would like to encourage my fellow male Local Guides to please shop for the women in their life, they love it and brings so much joy for them. One more thing please consider contributing to Google Maps as Local Guide each time you shop.
If you like to shop, please share your shopping experience, your contribution to fashion-related or mention a local guide who loves to shop.
Challenges faced by Business owners and Local Guides.
1, Majority of these stores owners find it difficult adding their stores. Always error with addressing
2, Verifying their listing is almost impossible, postal code doesn’t work and other verification methods not available.
3, Business owners also find it challenging to trust Local Guides to add their business especially if they are not Locals or speaks the language.
4, Many business listings have missing information but edits never get approved despite having local guides around to do fact checks.
5, Limited Google Maps feature, I still can’t follow Local Guides which I believe have to do with my profile location,
can’t edit or add roads.
6, Cyprus is being divided into two North and South also have a lot to do with these which I believe since North is only recognised by Turkey and North Cyprus uses Turkish related information such as addresses, telephone number and postal is only via turkey.
and my sister is always touching my heart in ways I can’t express enough.
I didn’t take pictures of the products in the bag but hopefully next time
.