Boronia Mall revitalisation top of mind for new centre manager
THERE is a renewed push to revitalise Boronia Mall thanks to its resident security guard, who is now also the centre manager.
Outer East
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THERE is a renewed push to revitalise Boronia Mall thanks to its resident security guard, who is now also the centre manager.
Lawrence Peresso has managed security at the centre for 32 years and when he was asked about taking on the manager role eight months ago, he got on board.
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“I’ve had experience at a few shopping centres... and I have been here so long that I know what it was like,” Mr Peresso said.
“I can lift this place, but I need people to work with me.”
The mall’s shops are owned individually.
But since Mr Peresso has taken on the role, he has helped the centre get new lighting and four new stores.
One of those is the Aussie Veterans Op-Shop, which is moving from its site in Erica Ave in Boronia.
The future of the shop had been under a cloud after news Aldi wanted to move in.
Aldi has requested the council amend its planning scheme to change the zoning of 1-23 Erica Ave from Commercial 2 to Commercial 1 so it can open there.
The proposal would see the existing retail shops removed from the site and the construction of two new shops — a supermarket and a retail premises — at 1-13 Erica Ave.
Aussie Veterans Op-Shop manager Mick Quinn said the uncertainty after Aldi’s news had forced them to look elsewhere and they had secured a lease for 15 years in the mall.
He said the mall site was “a whole lot better” and they hoped to open early in 2017.
Meanwhile at the mall, there is a Christmas competition for shoppers — spend over $5 and go into the draw to win a hamper with more than $2000 worth of goods from mall traders.
And the centre may also be home to the area’s cheapest Santa’s photos.
Until December 24, Santa will be in the mall every day from 10am to noon and 1-3pm.
People can take their own photos for a gold coin donation to the Salvation Army.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that a bold bid to get more traders into the centre through the Renew Knox initiative had failed.
The campaign called on shop owners to offer up vacant stores rent-free but despite 20 businesses wanting to move in, only one shop owner was happy to take part.
At the time, former mayor Peter Lockwood labelled the mall a “blight” on Boronia.
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