The $20 million dollar Papamoa Plaza re-development is ahead of schedule with a new food court due to open in October - centre manager David Hill tells us more.
The $20 million dollar Papamoa Plaza re-development is ahead of schedule with a new food court due to open in October.
Centre manager David Hill said the project had progressed faster than expected with demand for stores outweighing space available.
Local and national retailers would feature throughout the shopping centrewhile confirmed businesses for the food court included Smile Sushi, Hot Wok, Great Spice, Petra Kebabs, Burger Foundry, Pita Pit and Tank Juice.
They were set to open on October 27 alongside Spark, Omnitech and Acquisitions, a unique giftware store that would branch into Tauranga for the first time, Mr Hill said. They were due to announce another ten stores in the near future, he said.
Designed to feature contemporary architecture Mr Hill said the plans encompassed a village green and outdoor seating.
"We are building a development that Papamoa wants and deserves and has been asking for."
Traditionally foot traffic dropped through re-developments but the complete opposite had happened, Mr Hill said, with 2.8 million people visiting the plaza annually.
"Turnover and foot traffic are up in the double digits percentage wise so it's pretty unquie and speaks volumes about Papamoa. They are really engaged in the development with some people coming back three or four times a week to see what is going on."
Tinline, a Nelson-based company brought Papamoa Plaza in 2013 and Mr Hill said the owners "could not be happier" and the project had exceeded all expectations.
By the end of 2018, 50 or 60 stores would be at the centre.
"We are thrilled and excited and love being here," Mr Hill said.
