ROBINA TOWN CENTRE STAGE 2 OPENING- BIGGER, PRETTIER & MORE

Yeah baby.. this is more like it! Now, this is what I call a real shopping centre. Robina Town Centre finally opened its new 2nd phase on April 2nd 2009, 2 days ago with a 900-seat food court, Australia's largest Big W, a second Woolworths, Queensland's largest Country Road store and more than 100 specialty retailers.

The architecture reminds me sorta like malls back in Malaysia/Singapore, more classy, with marbled floors and lotsa, lotsa shops. Lounges and comfy chairs for shoppers and very nice open spaces. $300 million they put into this new phase, it'd better be good. Variety is the name of the game and malls must give it to attract. Otherwise, no deal. So, yeah I'm pretty impressed- it's got something for everyone, what's missing? hmm.. how about a nice big playzone like those in 1 Utama so I can dump the kid there while I go shopping for hours?

Robina Town Centre houses some of Australia’s most exciting and iconic brands including Carla Zampatti, Oroton, Veronika Maine, Guess, Marcs, Mimco, Aldo, JAG, Ben Sherman, Diana Ferrari, L'Occitane and I like the new Borders bookstore with Gloria Jeans cafe attached which sits right above the food court. Noticed there are no escalators, just lifts and walkalators, easy facilities for the aged and disabled. Woolworths is just right next to the parking bays, so I think they really thought thru the convenience mechanics this time for shoppers. The final stage, which includes the redevelopment of The Promenade, the launch of the new cinemas and possibly a Myer, will be unveiled in the middle of 2009.

Robina is also home to the Gold Coast’s only David Jones store. You'll also find Target, Kmart, Coles, Woolworths and Birch Carroll & Coyle cinemas- the old wing. At this point, it is already miles ahead of Pacific Fair, which is more old-fashioned and not as upbeat...and the best part is - I live just 5 minutes drive away from it!

Opening hours: --------------------------------------------

(M-F) 9am -5.30pm; except Thursdays when it closes at 9pm (Sundays) 10.30am-4pm

PRAISES FOR WOOLWORTHS

I have been pretty forgetful lately, it's a sign of ageing, sigh... I realised I forgot one whole bag of groceries from Woolworths where I regularly shop. And I was pretty mad at myself. I was thinking I probably could just kiss that whole bag goodbye including my favourite double espresso coffee and a Dynamo refill...well over 4 hours later then only I discover the loss...but decided to just phone in anyway to try my luck, see if they saw my bag. I wasn't feeling optimistic about getting anything back. Well, well, what do you know? The customer service manager in charge said they had itemised everything that was left behind and confirmed everything I read out in the receipt! . She said I could come by to pick up the items anytime from the store again (they put them back on shelves) or just get full refund for lost items.

Wonderful! I know most places would do that in this country, especially if it was left at the counter, but in Malaysia, that hardly ever happens. One bag forgotten means one bag lost forever. Honesty is one of the best things I appreciate about this country. That's why toilet rolls are in every cubicle, not central like those in Malaysian public restrooms, and bicycles aren't locked in schools here. I saw kids here entrusting their money with a kind adult who was a stranger to them- because the queue to pay their book money was just too long, so that they could go back to class. But...I don't know if anyone would return a $50 bill if they saw it drop out of your pocket, though. ..my guess is perhaps 50/50.

Sure, there may be some bad eggs around, but on the whole, their upbringing is to respect one another's belongings and courtesy & trust means a great deal to me. so..Woolworths, thanks! you have my praise and oh, I will shop there this Friday, since you are contributing your profits on Friday to bushfire victims.