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THEN...
The Wagga Wagga Marketplace was developed by Woolworths
Limited and sold to ISPT in July 1997. The Wagga Wagga
Marketplace brought to the city of Wagga Wagga a new standard of
retailing. The centre included the region's first Big W variety
store, a new and improved Woolworths supermarket and 60
specialty retailers offering a mix of fashion, food, general and
service merchandise - and the city's first fast and fresh food
courts. Most of the specialty retail mix was national and chain
operators, not represented in the city at the time. Undercover
parking provided for approximately 850 vehicles all on one
level.
The centre opened in three stages:
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Stage One: opened on Monday, 28 October 1996 and
included the new Woolworths Supermarket, Big W and 28
specialty stores including 3 kiosks.
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Stage One (a): the food court opened six weeks
later mid-December 1996.
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Stage Two: the grand opening took place on Monday,
17 March 1997. The centre was opened by the Hon. Peter
Collins, Leader of the NSW Opposition & Mr Reg Clairs, Group
Managing Director Woolworths Limited.
Wagga
Wagga Marketplace at the development stage.
As seen from Berry Street looking towards the rear of
the old Woolworths building on Baylis Street.
The Wagga Wagga Marketplace offered shoppers a total shopping
experience as it was the first major fully-enclosed shopping
centre, with all the shopping facilities and quality standards
associated with the larger metropolitan centres in Melbourne,
Canberra and Sydney.
AND NOW...
Today, the Wagga Wagga Marketplace is still
the largest retail shopping complex in the catchment area. With
a well-suited retail mix targeted to suit the local market, the
centre has successfully established itself as an integral part
of the community.
In February 2006 the Wagga
Marketplace embarked on a $3 million
refurbishment to refresh the centre with works being
completed in early May 2006. The aim of the
refurbishment was to provide customers with a more
enjoyable and satisfying shopping experience. Major
works included a new colour palette to the exterior of
the complex, along with internal painting, general mall
improvements, and a new signage package both in the mall
and in the undercover carpark. The centre now boasts new
amenities which are now second to none, including a
larger Parent's Room with automatic door entry for easy
pram access. Both foodcourts have been given their own
identity with vibrant new colours, images and new
seating providing customers with a great atmosphere to
enjoy a cuppa or a meal.
In 2007 and 2008 the centre went through a large leasing spike which saw the introduction of new tenants such as Diva, Michel's Patisserie and Red Rooster. The leasing spike also allowed current retail stores in the centre to give their shops a face lift by refurbishing. From 2007 to 2008 over 25 shops refurbished their store to have a fresh new look for their new and existing customers.
BAYLIS
STREET ENTRANCE
The Wagga Wagga Marketplace is now much more than just a
place to shop ... it is the town square! The centre offers a
safe, convenient, one-stop shopping experience in a social community atmosphere.
Would you like to learn more about the city in which we
operate? Tourism, opportunities? Please click on the link below
to go the
Discover Wagga web site...
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