The R195 million Kenako Mall in Ibhayi, Port Elizabeth, will be open on 25 April 2013.
The name Kenako – meaning “it is time” – is more than appropriate as the shopping centre is seen as long overdue in the area.
Research done for the development indicated a catchment area of 340 000 customers and an estimated retail potential of R1.22 billion at the time it was done.
Kenako Mall is situated at the intersection of the R75 Uitenhage Road and Spondo Road in Ibhayi and with its excellent visibility, it will be easily accessible for residents as well as providing a convenient stopping off point for anyone passing through.
It will serve the surrounding areas of Bethelsdorp, Algoa Park, Kwazekele, Soweto-on-Sea, Zwide, Kwadwesi, Kwamagxaki, Masibulele, New Brighton, Kwaford and Struandale.
It is also close to major facilities including the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Missionvale Campus, the Eastern Cape Training Centre and the Dora Nginza Hospital.
Owned by the Shoprite Group and Prima Retail Properties the 20 000 square metre shopping centre is anchored by a 4 000 square metre Shoprite, which will trade from 8am until 7pm daily.
The trading hours for the mall itself are expected to be from 9am to 6pm from Mondays to Fridays; 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and 9am to 3pm on Sundays.
Kenako Mall includes fashion retailers such as Truworths, Ackermans, Edgars Active, FashionIQ, Identity, Jet, Legit, Mr Price, Pep, Rage, Shoe Styles and Tekkie Town, among others.
Health and beauty stores include Clicks, Torga Optical and Global Hair & Cosmetics, while the household, furniture and DIY store offerings include the likes of Ellerines, Home Express, OK Furniture, Morkels, Bears and Cashbuild.
The parking area has 995 parking bays and a dedicated taxi area will be able to accommodate up to 37 taxis.
With its already large customer catchment area and additional through-traffic of some 27 000 vehicles passing the site daily, Kenako Mall is sure to be popular right from its opening day.
Anticipating this, the developers have made provision for the fact that the mall could be expanded up to 30 000 square metres in future.