Specialty shops are nothing new, but Brazil really, really likes specialty shops. This store is an…read moreexample of this. Here, they only sell doorknobs, door pulls, door hinges and door locks (really!). Having said that, it's a really good store! They have a great selection and you can find items here in stock that you can't find anywhere else. It's not very large, but it's a place I trust.

Specialty shops are nothing new, but Brazil really, really likes specialty shops. This store is an…read moreexample of this. Here, they only sell doorknobs, door pulls, door hinges and door locks (really!). Having said that, it's a really good store! They have a great selection and you can find items here in stock that you can't find anywhere else. It's not very large, but it's a place I trust.

This is a very good choice for construction material in the town of Lucena. They have a small…read morehardware store with essential items, but their stock is limited. They also deliver for free, which is nice. This is a family-run business and in a short while, they will greet you by name when you come in. Their prices are comparable with the other hardware/construction stores.

I was looking for some decorations for my home, and the first place I knew I had to visit was Tok &…read moreStok. The store layout is similar to an Ikea--you have to follow a path through the store, but I prefer how this store is laid out (it is more thematic: bedrooms first, then garden, then bathrooms, then kitchens, then home offices then cookware & kitchenware; and finally, knick-knacks and decorations. As far as service goes, you won't find anyone on the floor to help you, but because it is so well laid-out, you really don't need help; the cashiers make up for the lack of help you receive on the floor--they are very quick. Prices are not cheap here, but they compensate by offering quality merchandise.

Jacauna is a Brazilian furniture store with 40 locations throughout the country. They have a wide…read morevariety of furniture, mostly living room, dining room, outdoor furniture and also some bedroom and kitchen items as well. They have some nice pieces, but generally, the prices seem a bit high for the quality they offer. Jacauna manufactures the furniture they sell, so that's a plus. This particular location is situated on the main road through Cabedelo and is close to many other shops. It's worth taking a look if you're in the market.

All of the hardware stores in the city of Lucena are on the small side, but if you just need…read moresomething small, then this is your best bet here. There are 2 other hardware stores located nearby, and the city has at least 3 more (but they're far away), and Kaique is still the best bet for price and selection. For that reason, it's still my first choice.

We crawled out of our hiding and decided to start living again. Part of that was buying a new…read morestove for our kitchen. Armazem Paraiba sells mostly housewares (refrigerators, air-conditioners, stoves, sofas, kitchen cabinets etc), but they also sell small kitchen appliances, fans, bedding, cell phones and more. Their prices are generally pretty low compared to the competition and they deliver. This is always one of the first places I shop when looking for these items, and you should too!

Our first time here since the COVID-19 pandemic has taken hold in Brazil. The home center seems…read morewell-prepared to deal with the "new normal" that we face. Before entering, an employee takes your temperature and they provide hand sanitizer to customers before entering. The store is large, so it's easy to stay at a distance from other patrons. All of the employees use masks, and customers are not allowed in without one. They could do bit more though: unlike most other stores in this part of Brazil, they do not have plastic shields between the cashiers and customers at check-out. I also did not personally witness any employees sanitizing any of the shopping carts or baskets (that doesn't mean they don't do it, I just didn't see it). Overall, I'd say you're probably safe to shop here, as long as you are taking your own precautions as well.