La Sirena in Puerto Plata

[NYerinDR]

What a difference a day made

Today I went back to La Sirena. I got there around noon time and found parking right the way with no problem. There were still some empty spots available, which is a big difference compare with the last Saturday.

I noticed no one is buying the plastic chair any more, and the store was not even crowded. I went on and do the shopping with ease, and zip through each isle with plenty of room to move.

Most of the vegetable is still 50% off, and the deli department is not busy at all. I spend about ? hour there and when I was ready to check out, there is plenty of cashiers available. I got check out within 15 mins. I forgot to buy some items, so I went back a second time. I finished my second trip in 5 mins.

I like shopping in the new store. And I noticed there is a Domino pizza join in the back of the store, and a dry cleaner as well. There is a space for a bank too.

Folks it is safe to shop in La Sirena now!

 

[liam1]

...It is also nice to see that Playero in Sosua are finally having some serious competition. Playero have jousted their prices so high without a care about their clients, well now I would gladly pay the gas to go to La Sirena just because of the principal.

I couldn't agree more! I'm not living there anymore but it's great that those ladrones at Playero finally have some competition. I hope enough people will find it worthwhile to drive to POP instead of shopping at Playero.

 

[MirianAmor]

I couldn't agree more! I'm not living there anymore but it's great that those ladrones at Playero finally have some competition. I hope enough people will find it worthwhile to drive to POP instead of shopping at Playero.

We haven't shopped there for years. Cheaper to drive to Jose Luis. Maybe still is but not as big.

 

[DRExplorer]

I like the Virginia Pharmacy at La Sirena, they we're the only place that actually have Pepto Bismol. The only complaint about this place (Things will improve later on) is that the parking lot is not big enough for this Dept store. The store itself is only one floor with a small second level where they have a cafeteria. I will go again but only after things will settle down, I do not want to stand on a line that goes half way toward the back of building and there were always some people trying to cut in front of others.

 

[Campesina]

Plenty of parking available until about 3 pm (Monday). All check out lines were open and many had no customers at them. Definately different than the past 4 days. 3 people upstairs in the food court sitting at a table at 2:30 pm. No one in the actual food service area.

About 3 pm, things started picking up and there were a few people standing on line in some several registers. Mostly shopped with ease for an hour or so. The 29 peso, 3liter cola real was all gone. still had wine for 99 pesos, but didn't see any more chairs. I heard there were chairs all around Puerto Plata being sold for 200 to 300 pesos, hhhmmmm.

By the way, Coastal gas station and convenience store in Sosua sells Pepto Bismol, black licorice, too

 

[J D Sauser]

... and a dry cleaner as well...

I had not seen it, so I HAD to check THAT out. Indeed... and the prices would seem quite OK too (although they don't have a price list to hand out... yet):
Shirts RD$45.oo
Pants RD$45.oo (same price!)
Ironing only: RD$35.oo


For the first time, I actually got to buy something in the store too.
Some prices are WRONG (marked lower than they ring up at the cashier).
When I pointed two articles out they had billed me too much for, they sent somebody run around and check. Ones they found out I was right, they wanted to sell me on accepting a store credit :cheeky:... those who know me, will know the outcome of that poor little attempt :bunny:

Anyway... I'd giv'em the credit of still being somewhat unorganized and overwhelmed. One guy with a little more fantasy and the local love for colors at the veggie dept. apparently took it upon himself to pack three packs of pepper putting one of each color into a pack; green, yellow and red, instead of packs of green ones, yellow ones and so forth... Then there was NO code for it and apparently his "product" was a hit among our color loving locals... so the cashiers were swamped with "tricolor" pepper specials causing quite some havoc among customers being unable to buy them and supervisors running back and forth from one cashier to an other... quite amusing to observe, being a bystander only for once.

... J-D.

 

[tee]

La Sirena have shot themselves in the foot as they have left themselves no room for expansion. Firstly, I still cannot for the life of me understand why they would build on some of the most expensive real estate in Puerto Plata...to me it is not finacially logical, and secondly they must have known from the get go that one of their biggest obstacles will be the parking. I was very suprised that they did not build the store in a similar fashion to the store in Santiago, on two floors. The Puerto Plata area is obviously large enough that they could have built it on two levels, and the construction price really would not have been a great deal more. That particular area of the Malecon has now been turned into a zoo. Why the hell they got permission to build something of that nature is beyond me, but a company such as La Sirena can obviously afford to wet a few palms to get what they want. But going back to my point about location, why there? Why not in a commercial area where the land is a hell of a lot cheaper than on the Malecon!! I am guessing that they were offered a super deal, but that land there is probably worth about US$120-$150 per m2. They could have gone somewhere else and paid a fraction of the price. I am guessing that about 85% of their clientel arrive by some means of transport, car, concho, publico etc so a location in a commercial area should not have been an issue....sorry...going on a bit now. For me it is just not logical...I am happy that it is here, just a weird location from a business sense. Of course, La Sirena now have the bragging rights that they have and ocean front location!!
A buddy and me were discussing this last night. We were saying that do not be suprised in a few years if La Sirena re-locates to a larger piece of real estate. They would then still own some of the most sought after real estate in Puerto Plata and would sell it at a hefty profit....that is just my thoughts anyway.

 

[liam1]

I think the location makes sense since it is very easy to describe where it is and very easy to find for the costumers.

 

[krwilson]

It looks as though the fever has subsided. Was in PP this morning at 9AM and popped by to see how things were proceeding. You still must enter to park in their lot from the back entrance, no entry from the Malecon still, no big deal. There was plenty of parking this morning and though busy, it was nothing like before.....easy to actually browse the entire store.

I am not sure just how much that ocean front property would be worth, but I would think La Sirena would be a good a corporate citizen. The store is not obtrusive to look at on the Malecon for it is up and a little away from view. Hoping they attempt to keep it clean around the outside of the store, time will tell.

 

[dv8]

been there, done that

we went to la sirena today, around lunch time.
to answer my own questions:
they have most of the stuff from santiago store - bagels, red tea, goats cheese, nice veggies. also donuts with chocolate filling. more or less the same prices as in santiago. far better choice food wise than any other store in POP.
it's nice to have la sirena but i doubt we will do all our shopping there, certainly not after payday for sure - i predict huge crowds.
i have yet to venture there alone and browse clothes section.

 

[Eddy]

Just got back.

Not very impressing at all. I guess I expected it to be more like Santiago. Prices??? not worth the drive to POP. I'll stick to Playero and our other local stores.

 

[NALs]

I think this goes without saying, but just in case; La Sirena has sales several times a week for various items. For example, every Thursday there are sales on fish and meat. They always buy full page ads on papers like Diario Libre. My advice is for people to get a hold a Dominican newspaper everyday (they are free, btw) and simply search for their ad page.

You could get greater savings that way.

-NALs

 

[jrhartley]

does playero really deserve your loyalty ?

 

[MirianAmor]

Not very impressing at all. I guess I expected it to be more like Santiago. Prices??? not worth the drive to POP. I'll stick to Playero and our other local stores.

Try Jose Luis combined. Especially with the 5% you can get from Jose Luis as we do. Wouldn't shop in Playero if they were 50% cheaper. Have you been out the back where they store the meat alongside vegetables etc? Wow, the place is filthy and the flies and smell, will make you reach.

You obviously like food poisoning.

 

[MirianAmor]

does playero really deserve your loyalty ?

WE bought Frozen peas there Yesterday. Fantastic a real taste of Bird's Eye if you understand that. The first in many many years. Not even available in Santo Domingo.

I served them with Serenas Mero fillets Tonight (another great bargain) Half the price than Playero. lightly poached in herbed white wine. My Wife is Dominican. She has never tasted such delicacy. Well Done Sr. Ramos

 

[J D Sauser]

WE bought Frozen peas there Yesterday. Fantastic a real taste of Bird's Eye if you understand that. The first in many many years. Not even available in Santo Domingo.

I served them with Serenas Mero fillets Tonight (another great bargain) Half the price than Playero. lightly poached in herbed white wine. My Wife is Dominican. She has never tasted such delicacy. Well Done Sr. Ramos

Pecao con petipois? Your wife never had that? Where is she from, Pico Duarte?

Sorry... just joking.

Actually, I've blacklisted Filetes de Mero. 3 out of 4 times, they can have a bad taste of alges or "old" standing water. Haven't tried those from Sirena though.

But I welcome the addition of fresh fish at reasonable prices at la Sirena... although I still prefer to go to the fish store half way down on Kunhardt.

... J-D.

 

[Eddy]

does playero really deserve your loyalty ?

LOL. Not really. I guess I was comparing it to the one in Santiago. Haven't tried the quality of the food. (Even though, at Playero, the quality of the meat has improved with the arrival of the German butcher). Still have to compare the prices of the imported stuff etc. I've always been for supporting the local businesses as they are the ones who support me. After the novelty wears out, I think things will get back to normal. Time will tell.

 

[MirianAmor]

Pecao con petipois? Your wife never had that? Where is she from, Pico Duarte?

http://www.dr1.com/forums/images/editor/menupop.gif
You missed the point Fresh English garden peas have a very distinctive flavour Try them if you haven't already. Ask Lambada, she would know.



Sorry... just joking.

Actually, I've blacklisted Filetes de Mero. 3 out of 4 times, they can have a bad taste of alges or "old" standing water. Haven't tried those from Sirena though.

Fantastic if thawed gently - not in hot water - then gently steeped in White wine plus some herbs, ginger, bay leaves etc.( Very Hot) for 20 minutes. No more.

But I welcome the addition of fresh fish at reasonable prices at la Sirena... although I still prefer to go to the fish store half way down on Kunhardt.

Yes, but right now a little more expensive.


Enjoy with buttered new potatoes, available if you look, right now (boiled in their skins)

 

[Lambada]

Where is she from, Pico Duarte?
Sorry... just joking. ... J-D.

Is Pico Duarte high enough for frozen peas?

 

[Bklynny]

La Sirena in POP - where is the entrance???

Can someone tell me how to get to La Sirena? The entrance is not on the Malecon so where exactly is it? Which street do you enter from? I am going back down to POP in a few weeks. I have been watching them build the massive store and now that it's open I want to see what the fuss is about and see how it compares to quality/prices as opposed to Tropical, Jose Luis, etc. I will let everyone know when I get back. I've heard it's been packed since it opened. I couldn't figure out how to actually get in there though.

On a side note, my husband's family is Dominicano, and live a few blocks up from the Malecon. Since the ground breaking, they've had mixed feelings about it opening (traffic, crowds, etc), but I haven't spoken to them since it did open to find out what they think. Personally, I don't think it will change their shopping habits very much. They generally go to el mercado on a daily basis as they like everything to be as fresh as possible. They are also loyal to Tropical. However, as far as paper goods and other household items I would think they'll probably shop there if the prices are good. I could be wrong though.

In any event, if any of you locals can give me an idea of how to actually get into the parking lot I would appreciate it.