Repairs, events, new stores: How traders plan to save Boronia Mall

Boronia Mall was once a bustling shopping centre full of stores and entertainment — but that was in the 1970s. But could it now be one of the most neglected malls in all of Melbourne?

Boronia Mall opened more than 50 years ago. Picture: Supplied.

A 50-year-old mall in Melbourne’s east is in desperate need of an upgrade, frustrated shoppers say, with an escalator in the centre out of action for more than five years, capturing the decades of neglect.

Even more desperate for life to be breathed back into the 52-year-old Boronia Mall, are long-suffering traders who face a bleak future, such as Gee Jays Fashions owner Jacinta Pettiford

“I want to stay here, I grew up in the area and know what this mall can look like,” Ms Pettiford, who opened her store more than 20 years ago, said.

“It is so important to save this mall because there are few small shopping malls left.

“Boronia Mall is filled with family run businesses, you don’t often get to walk into shops and talk to the owner.”

But Ms Pettiford will have to close her doors if business does not pick up, so she has hatched a plan along with other businesses to save the ailing mall.

The mall is in desperate need of repairs. Picture: Josie Hayden

“We have started running events to get people back in the mall, from getting families in for our Easter event or running school holiday events” she said.

“We want live music back in our iconic rotating stage, we want families bringing their kids back in, we want the mall to be a community meeting place again.”

Ms Pettiford has even roped in her own band Covers in the Corner to do live performances to entertain shoppers.

The makeshift saviour team is working on a shoestring budget and wants Knox City Council and community help to save the mall.

Knox Mayor Lisa Cooper said the council was working to help local traders after the Boronia Renewal Strategy was adopted in May last year.

“This strategy has been the basis for numerous council and state government funded initiatives over the last few years that benefit Boronia’s local traders,” she said.

“This includes a ‘green spine’ shared path, Lupton Way streetscape improvements, business mentoring and upskilling workshops, the rollout of branding and wayfinding signage within the centre and a calendar of local events showcasing and promoting local businesses.”

However, Ms Pettiford said more needed to be done by the council and by locals.

“Everyone can bag the mall on social media and want something to change, but when was the last time they stepped foot in the mall,” Ms Pettiford said.

Traders Jacinta Pettiford, Matthew Thompson and Marion Wheatland are working to save the mall. Picture: Erin Constable

Ferntree Gully man Matthew Thompson decided he wanted to help and opened up his store Thompson’s Coins in the mall last year.

“I grew up shopping at this mall, I got my Santa photos done here,” he said.

“I want it to be able to stay open for years to come.

“Everyone talks about wanting to save the mall but what are you doing to make it happen?”

Mr Thompson’s coin store is one of very few across the country and it has attracted visitors from across the country to Boronia.

There are several closed and vacant storefronts across the mall. Picture: Erin Constable

But more keen entrepreneurs are needed to fill all the vacant storefronts, with
Mr Thompson encouraging local business owners to set up shop in the mall.

“It has been the best thing I have done,” he said.

Also on the to do list to bring the mall back to its former glory are desperately needed maintenance repairs.

Boronia Mall opened in 1973. Picture: Supplied.

Stevensons Workwear employee Marion Wheatland wants the centre to be repaired in the iconic 1970s style.

“The escalator has been broken for more than five years,” she said.

“There are broken tiles, the toilets need an upgrade.

“If we could repair it and keep it in the retro style it would be a really great place to be that doesn’t look like every other shopping centre.”

The escalators have been out of action for years. Picture: Erin Constable

Shopkeepers want the 1970s decor style to stay including the large mosaic mural, but want the facilities to be upgraded. Picture: Supplied.

But the shopping centre is strata title — meaning all the shops are individually owned — making a retro facelift all the more difficult to achieve.

Although, change seems to be on the horizon for Boronia Mall, with the Herald Sun spotting an escalator technician on site during a recent visit.

Centre management were contacted for comment.