The modernization of Uttara began about twenty years ago with the establishment of a few modern shopping centers. The Raj Laxmi complex, owned by the famous Bangladeshi film star Nayok Raj Razzique was one of the first modern shopping centers in Uttara. This multistoried shopping center was established in 1991 and began full operations in 1993. The shopping centre has become a landmark and the Uttara Sector-3 is now known as Rajlaxmi bus stand.
Initially only the first only first two floors were used as a market and other floors were devoted to the garment industry. Over time the garment areas closed and all the floors became part of the shopping market.
On the ground floor are a number of fast food shops, a bakery, and shops given over to confectionary, cosmetics, gifts, toys and shoes. Ready made garments shops, shoes shops and fashion items are found on the first floor. The second floor is devoted exclusively to ladies and gents’ cloths while the third floor is used for shops selling mobile phones and a mobile service center. The fourth floor has variety shops and a Chinese restaurant and the last floor is used as offices for travel agents and estate agents. There are about 350 shops in this market, which opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 9:00 PM.
There are many small shops attached to this market and hawker stalls are found on the roadside, the walkway and under the over bridge. Fruit juice, fruit shops, bookstalls, and flower shops proliferate in these spaces.