LIFE The EdmontonStyle Journal Saturday, July 10, 2010 G4 G5 SHOPPING MALL SMACKDOWN The recent LRT extension expanded our potential territory for retail therapy. What’s your pick? MARTA GOLD and JENNIFER FONG Journal Features Writers EDMONTON Pushing, shoving, a few clothesline moves — it’s especially those without wheels, and from as a smackdown of epic proportions, made possible far north as Clareview, can travel seamlessly in by the presence of the new south LRT line. either direction, to shop at City Centre down- Hold up, Rey Mysterio fans. We’re not talking town, or at the recently renovated and expanded WWE; we’re talking shopping. Southgate Centre at the south end of the line. Shoppers all over central, south and northeast In the interest of sociological research, two Edmonton are thanking transit o cials for their committed LifeStyle writers took to transit, one thoughtful linking of two of the city’s key shop- travelling south, the other north, to compare, ping districts — downtown and Southgate — contrast and comment on the two shopping with regular LRT service. experiences. JOHN LUCAS, THE JOURNAL The new hookup means devoted shoppers, Here’s what they found: Burger-lovers JOHN LUCAS, THE JOURNAL will soon be Independent gift shop The Purdy’s holds down the fort in the mall If you want to feel high-powered, this is able to get Artworks has you covered for proper, but if you’re looking to really blow the place to be. City Centre is throbbing their Fatburger just about every holiday, birth- minds, two of the best chocolate shops in the with fast-walking suits during the lunch x without the day, anniversary, and apology Not one food court, but two, city are just across the street. Manulife Place rush Mondays to Fridays and strollers trek to South with cute cards, ne jewelry, totalling some two dozen out- has Bernard Callebaut; Commerce Place has are rarely seen. City Centre’s hours Edmonton lets offering fast food ranging the newly opened Sweet Lollapalooza (right). are limited, which Common. The and some of the most avant- CANDACE ELLIOTT, THE JOURNAL garde ower arrangements in from upscale paninis at Caffe makes shopping popular burger the city. Manulife has upscale Sorrentino to Pinkberry-style after work next to chain is opening JOHN LUCAS, THE JOURNAL Leather armchairs The best part about City women’s clothing store Escada, frozen yogurt from Kiwi Kiss. Surprisingly, there are impossible. If you its second Ed- There are also plenty of casual placed strategically Centre Mall is that it’s con- and Swish for vintage goods; There are Four bathrooms, no stores at City Centre come during the monton location restaurants in and around the near replaces make 15 minutes from Clareview, nected by pedway to Manulife Commerce has independent Free gift bagging with one in each food that cater speci cally day, be prepared this summer at mall, including Lazia in City for comfy living- 15 minutes from Southgate Place and Commerce Place. suit-maker Sam Abouhassan. proof of purchase court, and two on to children or teenag- to ght lunch-hour City Centre. Mar- Centre West, Zenari’s in Manu- room-like rest areas City Centre East was built in Coming here is like getting from mall retailers the second level. ers. Ardene, Claire’s, business types. keting manager CITY CENTRE CITY throughout the mall 1974, and expanded to include three malls in one, and where life Place and Holt’s Cafe at , Family washrooms and Urban Planet are Your best bet is Greg Burns also (donations to char- for tired dads and City Centre West in 1999. The Holt Renfrew. For a drink, head sheltered3700 spaces in ve parkades in the concourse to come on the adds that shoe Downtown, we’re from, that’s called a ity are encouraged); boyfriends. The best likeliest to target teens, 101st Street centre underwent a major to Elephant & Castle by the attached to the shopping centre, level food courts. weekend, when the store Feet First deal. Manulife and Commerce expectant mother’s pit stop, though, might but the fact that the and 102nd redevelopment in 2002. movie theatres in City Centre and if you’re lucky, you’ll nab Bathrooms in the mall is practically will be expand- may sound terribly corporate The Bay, Winners and parking; free stroller be in the glassed-in Gap Kids here shut Avenue West or to Lux Steakhouse and a spot in one of City Centre’s City Centre West all yours. ing into a bigger but they are home to some Atmosphere/Sport and wheelchair pedway that links City down a few years back Bar in Commerce Place. heated underground lots — a food court are location under MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY of the most popular stores in Chek anchor City rentals. Centre East and West shouldn’t be surprising. perk you’ll be thankful for on cold brand new and a new name, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. town, including Holt Renfrew, Centre. Holt Renfrew on the second level. It is downtown after all THURSDAY, FRIDAY JOHN LUCAS, THE JOURNAL Alligator Pie and Blu’s. To- anchors the Manulife/ winter days. There are also plenty designed to be and the kid crowd is Locale. Three, plus an underground concourse. The top oor has doc- Tables positioned along 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. gether, they widely expand the Commerce block. of street meters and parking lots hands-free for all typically restricted to tors’ of ces and academies in the east wing; Empire Theatres nearby. Most parking options in you germophobes windows that look over SATURDAY scope of shopping and dining Four public 102nd Street below students from nearby in the west. the downtown core are either elevators in — no doors and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. experiences in the area. While elevators in are the perfect spot to Centre High and Victo- SUNDAY we’ll focus on City Centre, free or very affordable during each wing automated soap, ria School who come 785,000 evenings and weekends. tap, and ush. sip a cup of joe (Tim Noon to 5 p.m. 170 we’ll mention Manulife and Hortons is just steps by on lunch breaks or sq. ft. of Commerce highlights where after school. retail space away) and watch the appropriate. world go by. JOHN LUCAS, THE JOURNAL Size Built Food Hours Range Range Stores Parking Storeys Anchors Location LRT Ride LRT Kid factor Kid Rest areas Rest Washrooms Accessibility Coming soon Coming Unique stores Unique Special servicesSpecial Chocolate factor Chocolate Atmosphere/crowd 956,000 go/avoid to time Best sq. ft. of retail space When it opened in 1970, it was the largest 165 Kiehl’s, Geox, Bench, 15 minutes from downtown, mall in Edmonton at the Ecco Shoes, Pravda 30 minutes from Clareview time, with 65 stores. Ex- shoes, Devonshire Four sets of elevators panded in 1982, 1999 Cream, and the truly More than A large, main level plus A lone Purdy’s and again in 2009. A large, main level plus unique, always fun Sci- Suburban shopping has a smaller, upper level ence Shop, where you’ll — serviceable, Heavy on the afore- housing Blu’s, Eveline but not very Two sets, both in the new expansion — one at the its bene ts, and one of There’s a little bit of everything here, nd an eclectic mix mentioned tots dur- Michael Kors, Charles Spa, Flower from the Dollarama in the basement to exotic. , food court, the other by Zara. The women’s wash- ing the week, ranging them is extended hours. of cool toys, games, Aeropostale, Affairs and of ces. A 4000 rooms not only have a padded chair and ottoman MONDAY TO FRIDAY Blu’s on the top oor. There are plenty of gadgets and awesome spots, plus the coolest parking from baby-sized to Studio Nails, small basement level technology ever — lighted signs for tired and/or nursing moms, but a tiny, gated 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. mall standards, plus a few more interest- telescopes. large preschoolers. Just after stores Flight Centre, is home to Dollarama. that tell you how many spaces playroom, too! All the stalls are super-roomy and 11100 51st Ave. SATURDAY ing spots you won’t nd anywhere else Lots of shopping open at 10 a.m. David’s Tea on each level are still available. the whole operation is hands free, so you never 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., but West Edmonton Mall, such as Zara, for them — Gap or the last hour Down side? The frustration in have to touch a single, germy thing, except your During the weekdays, SUNDAY, HOLIDAYS Coach and a new Apple store. There are Kids, Please Mum before they close knowing there are ve (or 12, or own tiny, gated playroom users. There’s a separate lots of retirees and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. also a good number of stores exclusive One food court, but it’s a winner — and Gymboree. The at 9 p.m. are the 20) spots left, but you can’t nd family washroom, too, with teeny toilets and sinks. moms with tots, plus to Southgate, but more on those later. heavy on the ethnic, light on the burgers mall even offers a best times to shop any of them. a healthy smattering and fries. It’s got Indian, Thai, Korean kids club with free, if you’re looking to and our personal fast-food fave for lip- of Harry Ainlay high planned events like school students in the skip the crowds.