Hemingways brings top-notch shopping
By Tabisa Mntengwana
25 September 2009
THE new Hemingways Mall opened on Heritage Day, on 24 September, offering more than 200 retail and food shops.
The opening of the R1,6-billion state-of-the art shopping mall received a warm welcome from Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku, who said: “We welcome the development with pride and excitement and hope that it will serve as a catalyst for further commercial investment in our city.”
Faku also applauded the Billion Group, owner and developer of the 75 000m˛ facility, for bringing to Buffalo City one of the largest developments ever in Eastern Cape. “The Hemingways Mall has the potential to further accelerate economic growth in our city and to elevate [its] profile as a preferred entertainment, business, accommodation and leisure centre.”
It had already created jobs for over 700 local people, “and this figure is expected to rise above 1 500 when all the approved tenants have moved in”.
According to a press release issued by the Billion Group, the shopping mall is set to make a difference to the group’s relationship with the community. “The Billion Group wants to grow with the community. It is not a mall we have imported and stuck on the hill – it is a mall for the community,” it reads.
The Billion Group, a construction company established in 2007, works in the commercial and industrial, retail, civil structures, health and education industries. Tenants in the mall include clothing and national chains Ackermans, Foschini, Truworths Emporium, Queenspark, Hang Ten, Quicksilver and Sportscene; and jewellery chains Galaxy, Sterns and NWJ.
Kids should look out for the Disney Concept Store at Toys R Us, while at the food court there are Mugg and Bean, Nandos, Steers, Debonairs, Primi Piati and Wimpy outlets. The tenant mix is enhanced with Clicks, Incredible Connection, Boardmans, @Home and Exclusive Books.
There is also an amphitheatre, where the mall is expected to host various events such as music festivals, fashion shows, dance shows and art exhibitions. “The Hemingways Mall is designed as a destination shopping experience where family, friends and business associates [can] meet for a unique and pleasant experience.”
Other shops will be open later in the year. The shopping mall is situated on the N2 freeway towards Mthatha, and shoppers are expected to come from as far away as Mthatha and Queenstown.
“The centre is complemented by the existing Hemingways Casino and Hotel, which is set to present its guests with awesome entertainment and a one-stop shopping extravaganza for day trippers and weekend destination shoppers,” adds the press release.
Faku promised that traffic congestion would be alleviated by the newly constructed Hemingways Bridge and off-ramp, designed to provide six easy access lanes.
“This is among other advantages that impact positively on the City’s bid and programme to position the city as a preferable base camp for countries that will participating in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™,” said the mayor.
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