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Delta throwback: New mall celebrates 1971 grand opening

The new shopping centre was developed by Tsawwassen Realty Ltd., a subsidiary of George Hodgins Realty Ltd.

Let’s head back to 1971 when the new Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall celebrated its grand opening.

It was “Tsawwassen’s newest and finest prestige shopping centre incorporating Safeway, and BC Government Liquor Store” with covered walkways and parking for 600 cars.

The other first tenants of the mall included Venus Pizza House of Tsawwassen, Check-Mate Cleaner, D&S Sound Ltd., De Lux Delicatessen, Lloyd's World Travel Service, The Butcher Shoppe, Tsawwassen Small Appliance Repairs, Tsawwassen Pharmacy, Allene’s, The Leather Pouch, Femina Fabrics, My Secretary, Dean’s Chocolates, Yarn Bar, Mod Shop, Windmill Bakery, Fred-Joy of London Beauty Salon and Wild Kingdom.

The grand opening on Oct. 29 and 30 featured live entertainment including, among many others, Fijji and Māori dancers performing “The South Sea Island Show.”

Ted Garrett was the mall’s first manager.

Fast forward to this year and an application has yet to be submitted to the city for the eventual redevelopment of the Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall.

Four years ago, Century Group president Sean Hodgins held an open house to unveil a proposed master plan for the site, showing a concept aimed at transforming the complex into a mixed-use urban village.

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