Mall del Rio
Cuenca's biggest shopping mall, with cinemas typically Spanish language only and food court. 2-2.50$ by taxi 10 mins.
Buy some flowers at the flower market on Calle Sucre across from the new cathedral. Continue on about a block from there to get to the clothing and artesan market where one can also find knit crafts from Otavalo. Lovely handmade ruanas, sweaters, hats, mittens, and finger puppets are also available here.
Inside the yellow CemuArt building across from the police station at the market other artesans have booths with beautiful embroidery, metal, wood and leather work, Panama hats, musical instruments, knit goods, jewelry and other handicrafts.
ABC Libreria
At padre aguirre 8-11 y sucre, phone: 593-7 2845 749. diagonal to the flower market has a tiny selection of english books.
Rafael Paredes & Hijos
To buy from their fine range of Panama hats. You get a short tour round, an explanation of how they are made and a chance to see your hat go from a simple woven straw cone to a finished wearable hat. Various styles, men's and women's and sizes.
Used Books
There are two wonderful used english bookstores --although a bit pricy $5-20