Boronia Mall: traders hope $9m carpark upgrade will lift the ailing retro shopping centre

SHOPPERS believe they have the solution to fix the struggling Boronia Mall as traders bank on a $9 million overhaul of the carpark.

The struggling 1970s mall is slowly crawling its way back, with a massive carpark upgrade expected to entice shoppers. Picture: Steve Tanner

TRADERS are banking on a $9 million overhaul of the dated multi-level carpark to breathe new life into the struggling Boronia Mall.

Mall manager Lawrence Peresso said new lifts and travelators in the three-tier carpark next to Coles would make the shopping centre more appealing to customers.

But Boronia shoppers say the secret to success is filling empty shops at the ailing 1970s building.

Boronia Mall manager hits back at “blight on Boronia” claim

Mr Peresso, a former security guard who took over management of the mall last year, said work on the carpark upgrade started this month and was due to finish by the end of 2018.

“A lot of old ladies have been asking for this for years,” he said.

“You get people pushing trolleys up that ramp they can’t get up there (to the third level).”

Centre manager Lawrence Peresso is confident there are positive times ahead. Picture: Steve Tanner

Mr Peresso said the bulk of the project had been funded by Coles, with mall traders chipping in part of the cost.

He described the upgrade as “a big job for a small shopping centre”.

Mr Peresso said it was part of an overall push to refresh the retro mall.

“It hasn’t been an easy role but we’re heading in the right direction,” he said.

“We’ve done our homework. I think we can really pick it up.”

Boronia Mall revitalisation top of mind for new centre manager

Despite key traders like Gloria Jean’s coffee shop closing their doors, Mr Peresso was bullish about attracting new shops.

A walk through the mall last week found about 29 shops open and seven sitting empty.

But Mr Peresso said the area was seeing a growing number of shoppers.

“We’re doing our best to cater to everyone; it’s a peaceful environment, with no riffraff hanging around. We haven’t had a syringe in our toilets for a long time. That’s good.”

New lifts and travelators are being installed in the carpark. Picture: Steve Tanner

A post on Knox Leader’s Facebook showing empty shops drew more than 840 comments from people reminiscing about the mall’s heyday and suggesting changes to attract more shoppers, including adding an Apple store or transforming the centre into a street food centre or vintage market venue.

Mr Peresso insisted the mall was still a key part of the community.

“People have been shopping there for years, they love shopping in Boronia. We’ve just got to give them a bit more.”

Coles spokeswoman Julia Balderstone said the lift and travelator would “enhance customers’ shopping experience”.

It comes as Knox Council is starting the process to review the 10-year-old Boronia Structure Plan. People can have their say at knox.vic.gov.au/boroniarenewal

YOUR IDEAS TO SPRUCE UP BORONIA MALL:

They should turn it into a permanent market where people can buy stalls by the day — a produce Market on some days, craft market on other days. They could even use the space to run food markets in the evening and on weekends.

Jason Hill

All the individual owners need to sell their shops ... demolish it together with Coles and Kmart and rebuild the entire thing. Big apartment complex on top of a Coles and Kmart and a range of specialty stores.

Siubhan Rose

Drop the rents and that just might encourage shops back! But please, no more $2 cheap shops.

Linda Currie Woods

Put the cinema in there and surround it with restaurants, or make it into (something for) kids/teens — a Timezone, Pancake Parlour, laser tag, mini golf.

Julie Allen

Lots and lots of cheap eats like street food! One big food festival under one roof.

Emma Fernandes

Needs Big W, Aldi or Bunnings, plus a Chemist Warehouse with smaller shops around them up the Kmart end, and a decent cafe and restaurant or pub up the other end.

Sonia Vasey