For those avoiding Stockland Green Hills like the plague until the crowds die down, reporter SAGE SWINTON went and checked out the grand opening to see what shoppers can expect.
There has already been three stage openings at Stockland Green Hills over the past year or so, but there was something extra special about this one.
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A throng of shoppers, mainly older people, queued outside David Jones wanting to be the first inside when the doors flew open at 9am.
Perhaps it was because it’s the first high-end department store in the Lower Hunter in a long time, or maybe some were keen to see the return of the DJ’s cafe after the Hunter Street store closed several years ago.
Either way, there was a buzz about David Jones coming to town.
It wasn’t just high-end fashion though that brought the crowds in on Thursday.
Dozens of young girls and women lined up – some for more than an hour – outside Mecca Maxima, clutching their free pink gift bags and shaking plastic hand clappers as they eagerly waited to get their hands on some cosmetics.
Then over in the new dining precinct at least 100 people also formed a line outside Guzman y Gomez before it opened at midday ready to sink their teeth into a free burrito.
These were sights you’d expect to see in Newcastle or even Sydney, not here in Maitland.
But Stockland has put its money – $414 million to be precise – where its mouth is and judging by Thursday’s turnout it’s going to pay off.
Neither the centre nor the car park seemed quite as packed as the last stage opening back in November, but that could be down to the pre-Christmas rush or the additional space and 950 car parks now available.
Night time is where the difference will really show though, as the 1000-seat indoor/outdoor dining precinct comes to life offering an array of food, drinks and entertainment under the LED light display resembling Sydney’s Vivid Festival.
Green Hills is no longer just a place to go between 9am and 5.30pm to buy something to wear.
And with rain, otherwise known as shopping weather, forecast for the next few days the centre is no doubt going to be a popular place for Hunter residents.
While some were disappointed their favourite retailers have not been announced among the new shops yet, it would be unfair to say the centre isn’t a massive improvement on what it used to be.
The centre not only has more to offer but looks and feels nicer to be in. The new part of the complex definitely contrasts the old.
And with even more to come, including big ticket businesses H&M and Hoyts, it’s only going to get better from here.
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
