Scarborough Town Centre unveils redesigned Walk of Fame
By Angela Rotundo and Sarah Moore
Two years and $62 million later, the newly revamped Scarborough Town Centre is ready for business and aims to make Scarborough residents proud to call the suburbs home.
On Nov. 17, the mall unveiled its new look in a large public display, showcasing its updated appearance, new stores, extravagant Santa's Workshop and the redesigned Scarborough Walk of Fame.
The event drew residents from across the city, local councillors and even some celebrity guests, including Scarborough resident and comedian Colin Mochrie.
"When you have celebrities endorse a product, it does reach the customer base much faster," said Jai Lee, director of marketing for the Scarborough Town Centre. "Not only Colin Mochrie, but also Debra McGrath, who is a Scarborough native, and Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, who is a real champ, came out to speak on our behalf."
The mall, which has not been renovated since the 1980s, had been desperately in need of a facelift.
"If you walk through a shabby, sloppy house you aren't going to have a lot of pride in your home," said De Baeremaker. "Investing over $60 million to repaint the building, put in new lights, to create a new Santa village just makes this place that much more beautiful and makes us that much more proud."
The renewal of the centre was not focused on just the addition of new stores. It also aimed to improve the community's shopping experience.
"When we started the campaign, we really wanted to celebrate Scarborough," Lee said.
Lee also said the mall is known as not only a regional shopping centre but a community one as well.
The reopening was a complete community event, featuring a rocking performance by the Wexford Heights Gleeks, a $5,000 prize awarded to Live it Up contest winner Nicolette Bryan, and the unveiling of the redesigned stars on the Walk of Fame. Bryan submitted a video describing why she loved the mall. That day, a large crowd filled the mall's centre court.
"This is such a great community deserving of this centre," said centre general manager Kathy Meyers. "We've created a more comfortable shopping environment, so we're excited."
The reveal was strategically planned to take place as the Christmas shopping season began. New stores, including Pink by Victoria's Secret and Brown's, are expected to bring in a new wave of customers while still catering to Scarborough Town Center veterans.
"Scarborough Town Centre is really tied in and such an integral part of the Scarborough community," Meyers said, "This reveal isn't the end; it's just the beginning."
Kathy Meyers, general manager of the Scarborough Town Centre, accompanied by other dignitaries, cuts the ribbon at the Nov. 17 unveiling of the mall's $62-million facelift.
Comedian and Scarborough resident Colin Mochrie hosted the Nov. 17 unveiling ceremony at The Scarborough Town Centre.
Ward 38 councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker shows his support for Scarborough at the unveiling.
The Wexford Heights Gleeks serenade the audience at the Scarborough Town Centre event. They sang popular hits like Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'.
Mike Burke helps cut the ribbon at the unveiling of the Scarborough Town Centre's $62-million facelift Nov. 17.
Live It Up contest-winner Nicolette Bryan cheers as she's handed her $5,000 prize Nov. 17 at the Scarborough Town Centre.
By: Angela Rotundo and Sarah Moore
Posted: Nov 24 2010 9:06 am
Edition: Scarborough
Multimedia: Photo Galleries • Video
Topics: Jai Lee • Kathy Meyers • Scarborough Town Centre • Scarborough Walk of Fame
1 Comment on "Scarborough Town Centre unveils redesigned Walk of Fame"
Ezekiel | December 12, 2010 at 9:20 pm |
Hello, I am a student that performed with the "Wexford Gleeks" and we're actually from Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts, not Wexford Heights :)
Thanks :D