The final stage of The Plaza redevelopment

Stage 3, the final stage of The Plaza redevelopment finally opened today so we went to check it out this afternoon. And I’m not as impressed as I thought I would be. Sure it’s bigger now and the new Farmers looks quite flash, but most of the new stores are just these “fashion” stores which mean nothing too me. Here are some of the names of the new stores: Dotti, Hartleys, James & August, K&K, Lippy, Max, Merric, Shanton, Shoe Connection, Temt, and Valleygirl. I mean, who cares! Why do there have to be so many fashion shops for women?? Well there’s a Subway in The Plaza now, but there’s a Subway within walking distance of my house, so I don’t really care about that. The Chocolate Lounge sounded nice, but the prices in there are just ridiculously exorbitant! Same with the handmade chocolates place called Munchkins. We bought two little chocolates and it cost us about $3.50 – you could eat them both in about two bites! Talk about a rip off! At last there’s a bank in The Plaza – Westpac. But most other shopping plazas I’ve been too have many banks in them and a post shop too! The “fly over” over Ashley Street isn’t that impressive – you can only see out of one side of it – the Church Street side. A view over the Fergusson Street side would have been much better. Although there is one store coming soon which I’m really excited about – JB Hi-Fi. I’ve heard good things about that store, especially the cheap prices. So I’m looking forward to that one! By the way, even though the new Farmers is very nice, it’s actually a combination of their two old stores in the city – the one on Broadway, and the Home Centre on Church Street – so the new store is much smaller in floor space. I’ve seen much bigger Farmers than this one!

When we visited The Plaza this afternoon I decided to take a few photos. However, after a while Paul Blart Mall Cop came up to me and said “Why are you taking photos? You can’t use a camera in The Plaza.” What???!!! It’s not like I’m the only one and it’s not the first time. Why am I taking photos? Because I want to promote your Plaza to people online with some nice photos – that’s why! What a frickin idiot! Your loss mate, not mine!

Even though The Plaza is bigger and flasher it’s still pathetic compared to other shopping centres I’ve been to around the country. Sure many of these are in bigger centres, but I’m sure PN can do better. Except for Farmers, The Plaza is only one level! And another thing that is pathetic is the charging of the car park. At the moment it’s 2 free hours, but after the 3rd of May it will only be free parking for the first hour! Good grief. That’s Palmerston North for you – always after more money from your pockets! Most shopping centres I’ve been to around the country have free parking such as Sylvia Park in Auckland, Westfield Chartwell in Hamilton, and Westfield Queensgate in Lower Hutt (which is free parking for 4 hours!) I know Centre City in New Plymouth charge for their parking, but it’s very cheap.

So go and check out the new stage of The Plaza, but don’t hold your breath!