Victoria Square Mall celebrates 40 years in Regina | 24CA News
This yr marks the 40th anniversary of Regina’s Victoria Square mall and with it comes a month of celebrations, which kicked off Saturday with a group recognition and cultural dance ceremony.
On March 16, 1983, the mall opened its doorways on the eastside of Regina.
Safeway and Zellers have been the 2 authentic tenants, and since then, many retailers, shops, companies and other people have all come and gone.
And whereas Safeway stays within the mall, Zellers is lengthy gone.
For David Vrahmania and his spouse, they’ve seen the mall change over 37 years after they took over Spunkys Nuttery again in 1986.
Over the years, Spunkys has moved across the mall 4 completely different instances.
Selling sweet, nuts and their well-known popcorn, Vrahmania has fond recollections of some very busy instances within the 90s.
“We were selling the popcorn and on Saturdays, there would be lines out the door to buy our popcorn,” Vrahmania stated.
To have fun the event, Vrahmania was celebrated and acknowledged for being one of many longest-serving mall group members.
Also being applauded was lately retired Ken Dorsch, who labored on the mall’s lottery kiosk for 32 years.
“When I first got here, it was a totally different style, with record shops and, of course, Zellers had been here for years,” Dorsch stated.
The mall took an enormous hit in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic as many companies did, however managed to remain afloat with the assistance of a preferred new indoor mini golf course and group centre.
“It seems like the mall is coming back again,” Dorsch stated as he seemed across the mall. “It got pretty quiet there for a few years and now it’s rebounding.”
To assist hold the momentum going, extra occasions are deliberate for the remainder of the yr.
“The stores are open, people are welcome to come back and it’s just a matter of getting them here,” stated Jordan Myers, a advertising and marketing coordinator for the mall. “That’s why we have tons of events coming this year with more announcements on the way. It’s going to be a big year for us.”
For now, Safeway will endure a full renovation in 2024, and with huge plans on the horizon, these on the mall hope households will probably be submitting by the doorways for an additional 40 years.
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