In the late 18th - early 19th centuries in Kostroma was built famed shopping and warehouse complex, or shopping arcades. By area, the complex covers an area of ​​a few blocks from Susanin Square and finishing the building of the former Kremlin, in the central part of the city. Shopping malls - is a model and a demonstration of the traditional monument of urban art, dating to the era of urban reform Catherine.

As we know from the history of Kostroma, in the 17th century its flourishing peak of its economic development, which gives the right to call this city one of the most economically important in the whole of Moscow Russia. In this regard, Kostroma built a huge shopping center, where trading began on wooden benches. In 1773 there was a major fire, which resulted in almost all retail shops as well as numerous houses and warehouses were completely destroyed by fire. Shortly after the fire was carried out large-scale reconstruction of the city.

According to the developed project, it planned to build a new series of stone, and the work began in early 1775. The basis was approved by the "master" project, which was signed by the provincial architect from the city of Vladimir - Carl von Clair. During the design and construction of new buildings took direct participation following architects: VP Stasov, SA Vorotilov, NI Metlin, PI Fursov.

One of the main characteristics of the new plan was the traditional section of merchant stalls, where every shop had a size of 4, 5 and 7 m, corresponding to a single arch spans the gallery. Main commercial premises are located on the ground floor and storage and warehousing was adapted the basement and first floor. Lavochne central office was located upstairs.

The construction began with the so-called Red series, which is also called Gostiny Dvor; Work is performed under the leadership of Stepan A. Vorotilov in 1789. The first building built in the form of a rectangle whose size is 110 by 160 meters. During the construction of the hull had to solve an important problem. At the planned site of the formation of an object placed in Kostroma ancient temple - the temple of the Saviour in the ranks. Initially it was wooden, but in 1766 there is built a stone church, and the architects managed to accurately enter the temple in the panorama of the Red series.

The name Red ranks received due to the fact that there is trade was conducted only "red" goods - expensive fabrics, valuable furs, leather goods, and various books. Construction work was carried out fairly quickly, and in March 1791 the Kostroma City Council news that 33 shops are already fully prepared, with 19 being completed and 11 stores prepared materials - the total number of counters was planned 86. The completion of the construction work took place in 1793.

With regard to the Gostiny Dvor, its gallery equipped with a smooth ceiling, lined with stone slabs and decorated with signs. It is worth noting that showcases not only became the epicenter of the commercial life of Kostroma, and recreational destination.

The biggest buildings of shopping has become a big series Flour series, the size of which reached 122 by 163 meters. In 1791, it supposed to build 52 stores to be designated for retail or wholesale flax, fodder and flour, but only 26 were ready.

Large rectangular room flour and red shopping malls equipped with rounded corners that were made specifically for roadways coaches and carriages did not touch the room when cornering.

Petty were also lined up the ranks, which were intended for the haberdashery trade. New rows fit perfectly into the overall picture, taking advantage of all the area shopping mall.

Over time, close to the existing arcades built Bread, Gingerbread, Fish, Living fish, leavened, harness, Meat, Oil, Tar ranks, vegetable, Tobacco ranks.

The whole architectural ensemble Brands rows lined up for several decades. As a result of all the work they have taken an impressive part of the territory of the town square, and is also available to the Volga River descent.