It's going to change the face of South Delta as well as the retail landscape of B.C.
After more than two years of construction, Tsawwassen Mills will finally open its doors at the Tsawwassen First Nation next week.
The 1.2-million-square-foot shopping centre at the corner of Highway 17 and 52nd Street will feature 200 stores, including 16 anchors, as well as an 1,100-seat food hall and several restaurants.
Shoppers are expected to be lined up well in advance of the grand opening, which is set for Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m.
The biggest of the anchors, Bass Pro Shops, opens its doors a day earlier, on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.
Unlike anything in the Lower Mainland, Tsawwassen Mills follows the model of two other Ivanhoe Cambridge projects, CrossIron Mills north of Calgary and Vaughan Mills north of Toronto.
"It's really unlike any other shopping centre in British Columbia and I would say the best way to describe it is that it's a hybrid concept, which offers this great mix of premium fashion brands and outlet stores ," said general manager Mark Fenwick.
"There will be approximately 30 outlet stores and a number of first-to-market stores as well, and then there's the dining and entertainment " said Fenwick. "So it's going to be something very different than we have seen here in the province and will be a great destination for shoppers from all over the Lower Mainland and beyond."
The mall will have five themed areas: Outdoor Life, Fashion, City, Nature and Coast Salish.
"It's not just fashion but it will be a dominant fashion destination. Our centre will be the largest shopping centre that has outlet stores under one roof," Fenwick said.
As far as the customer base, it's expected shoppers will come from throughout Greater Vancouver as well as Vancouver Island, the Okanagan, Washington state and beyond.
"If they're coming to the Lower Mainland, they'll be able to add this to their destination or make it their destination. It's got a lot to offer," Fenwick added.
Marketing director Christina Shier said tourists will be a big part of the clientele and the mall will be working within that sector to promote itself. The mall will also have a shuttle running from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
Shoppers are being given incentive to line up early for the grand opening next Wednesday as a $50 gift card will go to the first 1,000 people. There are other contests, including one shopper winning a $10,000 shopping spree, while individual stores are running their own promotions.
A pre-launch campaign called "Love Everything About It " has been well underway to promote the centre. The opening will also feature live entertainment and giveaways, part of the mall's grand opening week, which runs until Oct. 10.
While the mall has a capacity of 200 stores once fully leased, it will start with 180 retailers. Several additional stores have already been confirmed but will be opening at a later date.
It's anticipated approximately 3,000 full-time and part-time jobs will be created, however as opening day approaches, mall tenants are still trying to fill out their employee rosters. There is a shuttle for staff from the Scott Road SkyTrain station to help encourage new hires.
Located next door to Tsawwassen Commons, which will be opening later in phases, Tsawwassen Mills will be open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day, the last day of the grand opening celebration, the mall closes at 7 p.m.
For more information, including how to access the mall by public transit, check out www.tsawwassenmills.com.
