The International Batik Center in Pekalongan

Standing tall in Pekalongan, the spacious International Batik Center, known as IBC, provides a one-stop shopping experience for those interested in the batik world.

IBC, established in 2012, is located on Jl. Ahmad Yani No. 573 in Wiradesa, Pekalongan, on the right side of Pantura on the way from Jakarta to Semarang.

The establishment, which sits on a four-hectare plot, catches the eye thanks to its six-square-meter wajan skillet (for heating batik wax) and canting (a pen tool to create batik motifs) — the main symbols of batik making — used as the IBC’s totem at the entrance gate.

IBC doesn’t just offer around 180 kiosks (out of 700 as planned) selling various kinds of batik items ranging from fashion to home furnishings to handicrafts. It also has a semi-open hall in the Javanese style that hosts events, or simply provides a space to relax with family members or friends.

There are culinary and kid’s areas, an ATM center, batik courses, a batik museum as well as a spacious parking lot that can handle up to 30 busses and 300 cars.

To cater to all kinds of customers, IBC provides an air-conditioned exhibition and shopping area as well as a non air-conditioned outlet spot.

“We have around 180 batik sellers here with products that apply export-quality standards. Besides items that are made in Pekalongan, we also sell clothing and goods from neighboring cities, including Yogyakarta,” Santiyo Hutomo, a young and friendly information officer near the entrance door of the gallery area, said.

IBC is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. However, some sellers open business as late as 10 p.m.

The air conditioned area offers various kinds of batik products of exclusive quality, as it showcases classic batik items and information for visitors to learn the history of the country’s most famous piece of cultural heritage.

Most of the brands showcased in the gallery area have participated in Inacraft, the annual event that’s Indonesia’s largest exhibition of national fashion products and handicrafts in Jakarta.

A salesman working at Dehan batik said that the store’s brand, which carries the same name, has participated in Inacraft.

“We took part in last year’s [2012] Inacraft, but we passed on this year’s event,” he says, referring to the store’s time-consuming direct sales.

IBC welcomes visits by local and international customers, especially for batik workshops.
Visit internationalbatik.com or call 0285-4416958. (JakartaPost)

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