Blue Kristal Laundry


38 Ulitsa Andropova, korpus 3


Tel: 115-0558


Nearest metro: Kolomenskaya


Any ex-pat who does not own a washer and dryer knows the trials and tribulations of getting laundry done in Moscow. Whether you send your clothes to a Soviet-style launderette, use a vintage Soviet washing machine -- complete with hoses, jumping spin cycles, flooding and electrocution -- or scrub, wring and rinse in the sink, doing laundry is a hassle.


Enter Blue Kristal Laundry, with its army of 40 Maytag washers and dryers. Here, doing a load of laundry is not only a bearable activity, but one that is supposed to be pleasant: "Like home," as American Phil Sullivan, the operator of the new enterprise, says.


Right now the Blue Kristal is running a special -- the first do-it-yourself load is free. After that, prices are 10,000 rubles (about $3) per load, washing and drying, with Tide detergent included in the price. You can also drop off your load for laundering.





Giglioli, pet supplies


1 Kalushskaya Ploschad


Tel: 230-1871


Nearest metro Oktyabrskaya


Every dog will have his day at this store. And so will every cat, bird, hamster and fish, as every animal accessory -- from grooming and maintenance tools to nutrition and health supplements -- for practically every domesticized creature is on sale here. Thick leather dog collars and leashes cost 68,500 rubles ($20); diet drops for cats and dogs range from 13,700 to 40,000 rubles; fish tanks, hamster homes and canine carry bags and cages are also available. For finicky cats who favor French cat food over Whiskas, Felix is on sale for 2,200 rubles for a small can. A Jelly Bone costs about 68,000 rubles.





Gulliver Club


3a Ulitsa Elektrodnaya


Tel: 176-4821


Nearest metro: Shosse Entusiastov


Gulliver is a Western-style cash-and-carry store with reasonable prices and plentiful stock. It is half warehouse, half standard supermarket


This is a place to save on groceries and toiletries. A 12-pack of Parmalat long-life milk costs 27,500 rubles ($8), Areso cakes cost 24,000 rubles, 12 boxes of Pickwick tea, any flavor, run 44,200 rubles. Vidal Sassoon Wash and Go Shampoo and Conditioner in One sells for around 110,000 rubles for a box of 12.





Newcomers is an occasional feature spotlighting new enterprises in Moscow.