A new entrance, extensive new food court, a Neil Perry inspired casual dining area, new fashion outlets, a tea retailer and a two level Espresso Warriors outlet with coffee upstairs and a bar downstairs in Globe Lane.
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That is some of what is waiting on October 5 when the new world-class David Jones and 10 other new specialty shops open in the new redeveloped and expanded Gateway Centre in Wollongong Central.
New retailers include:
- Mecca Maxima,
- T2,
- TK Maxx,
- Peter Alexander
- Review
- Bardot Junior,
- Edge Clothing,
- Espresso Warriors,
- Anjali Brow Studio,
- Barber Industries
- Charli & Kate.
Many of the existing shops are also refreshing and upgrading their stores resulting in the Gateway Centre being like a whole new shopping world for Wollongong.
Those who have relocated or are upgrading their stores are Kikki K, Dymocks, Cue, Oxford, Inspired Tribe, Sportsgirl, Fresh Nails and Sussan.
Wollongong Central’s regional general manager Antony Keenan said there was plenty of excitement building with the grand opening of the new David Jones in just four weeks.
“One of the biggest customer journey changes is happening on the lower ground,” he said.
“We have created a new entrance off Globe Lane. The new configuration will connect you down into the new David Jones Food Market, into TK Maxx and the newly developed centre. The new entrance will be where the old His Boy Elroy site used to be. To the left will be the new Espresso Warriors site.”
David Jones regional manager Jason James said the opening of the new world-class David Jones also meant more jobs.
“With the increased size and capacity of our store we are very happy to be able to employ no fewer than 80 more people. That’s 80 additional people to compliment the offering that we already have. We are very fortunate that all of our team in our current store will move across to our new store with the addition of 80 more people from the Wollongong area.
In addition just as is the case with TK Maxx the new David Jones will also put on additional casual staff leading up to Christmas.
“It is essentially a whole new store. Any time you open a new store it is exciting. And Wollongong is already on of the most successful stores in our network. The opening of our new store is only going to enhance that. David Jones build world class department stores. We have won awards for that and every time we do a new store we continue to enhance that.”
New specialty stores and their locations:
- First time in the Illawarra for the specialty beauty retailer that started in Australia and has gone global offering hundreds of brands and a great shopping experience.
- Location on the top level where Oxford, Blue Illusion and Kikki K used to be.
- First time in the Illawarra for the tea retailer that started in Australia but have gone on to become a global retailer with more than 100 stores worldwide offering a great experience for tea lovers.
- Located on the top level of the new look Wollongong Central next to David Jones.
- International retailer with big brand, designer and high-quality fashion apparel and home wares that Antony Keenan has exceeded expectations in the first two weeks.
- Located on the lower level where Rebel Spot used to be.
- A well known retail destination for women wanting fun and feminine fashion.
- Located on the top level near Peter Alexander and Mecca Maxima.
- A leading Australian sleepwear designer brand..
- Located on the top level next to Mecca Maxima and Review
- Building on the successful women’s fashion retailer Bardot the Bardot Junior chain was launched in 2004 to create practical playful fashion for kids.
- Bardot Junior will be located on the top level next to Review
- Specialising in street style fashion
- Located on the mid level outside David Jones
- Creating a two level store with a cafe experience upstairs and newly created bar downstairs.
- Located at the newly created entrance in Globe Lane near where His Boy Elroy was previously.
- Specialises in eye brow threading, tinting and eye lash extensions.
- Located on the mid level next to Sussan.
- Provides a modern barber shop experience and is rapidly expanding in NSW.
- Located on the mid level opposite Anjali Brow Studio.
- A new concept salon by the Markovski family that will deliver a point of difference salon experience.
- Located on the top level next to T2
Existing retailers relocated or upgraded:
- Kikki K
- Dymocks
- Cue
- Oxford
- Inspired Tribe
- Sportsgirl
- Fresh Nails
- Sussan
Other retailers:
- Country Road
- Mimco
- Wanted Shoes
- Honey Birdette
- Lorna Jane
- Ziera
- Lovisa
- Rivers
- City Chic
- Club Lime
- Wollongong Central Alterations
Inside to the new David Jones:
David Jones regional manager Jason James said it was exciting to bring someone new to the Wollongong market where it has had a department store for many decades.
“We had a food hall up until the early 80’s,” he said.
“We are now evolving into the new journey and we will be launching a fully fledged food hall. Wollongong will be the second David Jones store to showcase its revolutionised food offer. David Jones is in the process of investing about $100 million across the next three years in food. We recently launched out first rejuvenated food hall in Bondi Junction in August. It has been a resounding success and we will be opening our own food hall here on the lower level.”
- Related story: Myer closes its Wollongong store: David Jones to relocate
The new David Jones Food Hall will be 850 sqm with a complete food offering.
It will have a casual dining experience as well as fresh produce, packaged gourmet food. There are also counters for cheese and seafood, there is a bakery, a coffee shop and an extensive range of food to go, prepacked meals and sushi.
“We work in collaboration with Neil Perry and we have done to for some time,” Mr James said.
“Neil has been guiding us on our food experience and we will have to what we refer to as The Kitchen. It is out casual dining experience very similar to the new one at Bondi Junction where we work with Neil on menu selection. It is a great place to come in and have a meal. It is an all day dining experience.”
When David Jones opens on October 5 the 8,600sqm full store will have three levels offering an expanded beauty section, fashion, home and food. There are three beauty rooms, a parents room. There are trained personal shopper and store advisers and a concierge service. There is also a posthesis clinic with fitting room with six trained fitters.
“It is very similar to the current size of our store. There will be a personal shopping suite in this new store. We will also launch what we refer to as Rose Clinic which is a partnership we have with BreastScreen NSW. It will be the first we have opened in a regional store.”
The clinic will provide a free mammogram service to all women aged 40 years and over for the early detection of breast cancer.
Mr James said he was looking forward to the grand opening of a new world class department store for Wollongong in four weeks.
He said the existing store was already one of the most successful in Australia and he has no doubt the new store will only enhance that.
David Jones Wollongong store manager Ben Simpson-Morgan has been in the role 10 months and is looking forward to October 5 and employing more Wollongong people. “I was previously working in the Market Street building in the Sydney CBD store”.
“I have worked for David Jones now for almost 10 years”.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
