MOKOPANE – According to the Crossing Mall Manager, Charmain Gouveia, she sees a bright future for the town now that the mall is expanding. “This is exciting times. I can not wait to see how everything turns out. It is costing us quite a lot of money but it is all part of the plan. Shoppers are going to love the new look.”
She further stated that in the past 12 years Crossing Mall experienced a lot of changes which sometimes goes unnoticed by residents.
“People usually drive to Polokwane when they want a proper shopping session especially when they want to buy clothing. There has been so many changes. If I look back on how the mall started, it was just a few shops. Now the mall will even brag with an escalator, a first for a Mokopane mall.”
According to Gouveia the project is scheduled for completion at the end of November.
Residents can look forward to nine new shops, from which two are tentatively sports related shops and others mostly clothing related, Woolworths’ food section is expanding and also receiving a revamp, Checkers will expand with 260 square meters and a total of 200 extra parking spaces will be available.
“I know sometimes parking can be a hassle especially when it comes to month end. The upper parking area will expand over a great section of the current ground parking and that is where the escalator will be situated. Shoppers can also enter from there and not only by the elevator near Game.”
Gouveia said at this stage she can’t say which new shops will open because they are still negotiating.
Food lovers will be happy to know that Steers and Romans Pizza will have brand new food courts where shopper will be able to sit outside and enjoy their meals.
According to Gouveia the renovation process has not really affected any of the businesses in the mall thus far, but she believes that at month ends it might become a problem with the parking area that is currently reduced because of construction.
“We ask shoppers to be patient throughout the year. The renovations will leave you satisfied at the end. As time goes by new businesses will have lots of employment opportunities so keep a look out on especially the windows and doors for notices.”
Andy Goetsch, President of the Business Chamber, thinks anything that improves the town and business opportunities is wonderful.
“We need something like this in our small town. We experienced a massive amount of feet during Christmas and I am very grateful to hear that more parking space will be available. We as the Business Chamber are very excited about the change and upliftment.”
lionel@nmgroup.co.za
