I’ve seen it hundreds of times: women/wives gregariously roaming the malls while the men/husbands wait patiently for their often indecisive and/or impulsive partners to make a purchase. Let’s face it, the malls of Riyadh aren’t equally male-friendly so if there is a place that you could show your hubby some mercy (Haha!) then maybe a trip to SACO will appeal to his manly-side and perhaps, if you aren’t already, the homemaker in you.
SACO is Saudi Arabia’s very own superbrand when it comes to hardware, tools and home furnishings. They also have extended their products to kitchenware, home decor, sporting goods and even children’s toys. Their branch along Takhasussi Road was the one we have frequented when I was growing up and around roughly two years ago, I heard that the place burned down. However, they have since renovated and a new, improved store stood tall once again! I was actually told by a friend that the infamous Ball Mason Jars were being sold there so I decided to pay SACO a visit last week. However when I arrived, I was informed that it had already sold out (Boo! Waiting for next shipment tho). So, I decided to make the most of my stay there since it was prayer time and I realized that, hey, we’ve never featured SACO yet before and it’s an awesome store to find neat stuff…for men, women AND children…thus, I clicked away.
Hardware
First and foremost, let’s explore the main highlight of their store: the tools for the handy man. They have all the nuts and bolts for building and fixing things — old-school habits before electronic gadgets became the new cool for dudes. But hey, if you are an independent woman and likes to get all DIY with drills, screws and chainsaws, then perhaps you’d find something that you need in here too:
Grab a hammer and channel your inner Thor.
Ladies, like lipstick options, we should also have a set of screwdrivers around.
Who wants to do some woodwork?
Different kinds of nails and screws.
A closer look. Do you know what’s the different uses of each kind of screw? I don’t. Hehe.
It amazes me to know that these are only 2SR per box. They hold things together for decades yet so cheap!
There’s a Velcro Craze we don’t know about.
Painting a part of your house soon?
Perhaps an entire wall?
Wrenches in all sizes.
Power tools!
Ladders are useful for the home. And for the vertically challenged.
Store your books or souvenirs on these wooden shelves.
Metal shelf handles.
Singing: You’re my flashliiiiggght.
Powerful glues for your furniture.
After decades, I saw a bottle of Elmer’s Glue again!
I just have to say this is a nostalgic childhood moment. I have so many memories as a kid doing crafts using Elmer’s Glue and playing with it by applying it on my hand and pretending I was being skinned alive after drying it out. I have to admit I squeezed some in my hand and waited for it to dry for old times’ sake. Sorry (not sorry). 😛
Kitchenware
It’s been a year since I have been slowly immersing myself in the world of cooking (attempting the Food Network-style) and lately, despite the allure of the red signs of department stores in the malls, I find myself drawn to scouting for chef knives,ingenious food machines that can be a big help in the kitchen and china that can be great for plating. Lo and behold, SACO is not short on these items.
Find the perfect Chef’s Knife.
Non-stick kitchen utensils for your Teflon pans.
Eco-Friendly, Non-Stick Pans called “Green Pans”.
On why it’s called a Green Pan.
My mom’s favorite: collecting Pyrex food containers.
Artsy bowls for your favorite ramen.
Get creative with your waffles!
Be the star of your next dinner party with these fondue sets.
Amp up your movie night with these cute popcorn makers!
Whip up a grill in the comforts of your airconditioned kitchen with one of these.
Bath Needs
SACO also has a designated area for all your bathroom and toilet needs. They even have whole jacuzzis and shower room samples that you can choose from. Spare parts for plumbing are also available. Truth be told, plumbing is one of the sciences that I’d like to learn…I mean, if a pipe broke down in my bathroom, I’d like to know what to do!
Choosing the right shower head apparently matters. 🙂
A game of thrones.
Let it sink in.
Storage
After all the years of shopping in Riyadh, heaven knows we need storage bins to keep everythang we have bought (hoarded)! They also have beauty organizers for our make-up and cases for our classifying our jewelries. For the shoe-aholics, you’re gonna want to see this:
A good closet organizer would tell you to case your shoes and label them as necessary. 😉
Above anything, a good storage bin must be sturdy and strong.
Storage bins of all shapes and sizes.
Color-schemed drawer bins for keeping your tools.
Bubble wrap is essential to keeping your valuables intact. Unless you just want to goof around and pop it all!
Outdoor Needs
The SACO store in Takhasussi St. has two floors with the second floor filled with Outdoor furniture and equipment along with a separate area for Indoor Seating and the Sporting Goods. They have an extensive selection for gardening tools (possibly to those who could afford landscaping in their own homes).
Faux grass and ceramic fountains.
Lawn mowers in the desert.
Heavy duty shears.
Dangerous looking axes. Keep away from children.
They have huge area for all the outdoor furniture that they have. I only took note of those that I found unique:
Patio lounge-seating.
For some solo time.
I want this rocking chair!
More outdoor items:
What outdoor activity would be complete without a good grill?
Lamps for your garden.
Something for the backyard maybe? Or the patio?
Why not go for some tiki torches instead?
More outdoor lamps to light up your way.
Indoor Furniture
From dining tables to coffee tables; from barcaloungers to computer chairs…take your pick:
Staple dining table sets.
Coffee tables and side tables.
Computer tables.
Lounge chairs and office chairs.
Sporting Goods
If you are looking to take on a sport in the comforts of your own home, there are plenty to choose from: build your own gym by getting a treadmill some weights and an exercise mat; or install a basketball hoop on your building’s wall and play with some buddies over the weekend; or buy a bike and start riding around your area. If you want some real life interaction with your guests, how about a pool table or a foosball table?
Exercise machines.
Want to work on those ab? I mean..abs?
Group play.
Last but not least…there’s also something for the kiddos:
Get your kids their own playground!
Evidently, there is something for everyone in your family when you go visit this store. I found most prices of the items to be very reasonable. If you like being hands-on in building or fixing things at your home (whether it’s redecorating, house painting, woodwork or plumbing) then this is the place to go to — especially for the handy husbands! Women who like to cook and bake can find some unique items in their kitchenware section with new appliances coming in every now and then. Youngsters can discover some new sporting activities and get fit — or even better, it can be a good field trip for a dad & son / dad & daughter bonding to show and teach them how certain tools are used. In my two hours of walking around the store alone, I was already amused! I hope you (and your husbands) will be too.
SACO
Website: http://www.saco-ksa.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/sacoksa
Twitter: @Saco_Ksa
Instagram: @sacoksa
There are 10 Branches of SACO in Riyadh. Click here to find the nearest to you.
