$60M SHOPPING CENTRE SET TO OPEN
OCEAN GROVE’s highly anticipated Kingston Village shopping centre will open to the public in less than a week.
The $60 million development has been four years in the making, and will finally open on December 4.
McDonald’s, Woolworths, Aldi, Dan Murphy’s, Jetts 24hr fitness, Direct Chemist Outlet and Caltex Fuel are among a host of stores set to drastically change the retail offering of Ocean Grove.
It will create 350 ongoing jobs for the coastal town, with many shops now hiring.
There will be 25 specialty stores and office spaces with more than 550 carparks.
Wendy’s Milk Bar, Baker’s Delight, Light Sushi, Kingston Village Fish and Chips, Ocean Grove Chicken Shop and Town and Country Pizza are among the food offerings.
Lascorp Development Group national development manager Rob Harris said most stores would open on December 4 and others would follow shortly after.
The shopping centre will open to much fanfare, with a meet and greet and autograph signing with Cats star Patrick Dangerfield among the entertainment on the day, with face painting and giveaways.
“It’s been four years of very very hard work and this shopping centre is one out of the box.”
A large outdoor plaza will take pride of place in the centre with outdoor seating and a 6m wide TV screen, which will show movies, sports, and augmented reality experiences that alternate every half-hour.
Mr Harris said the development would also feature charge stations for electric cars.
Construction of the centre began late last year, with about 500 people employed in the construction phase.
Pacific Smiles, Petstock, Tattslotto, Nail and Beauty and Dynamic Discounts will also open at the centre.
Kingston Village will turn into a winter wonderland, with Santa bringing Christmas cheer to the opening.
Popular children’s characters Pink Fong and Baby Shark will also make an appearance.
McDonald’s will open on December 9, with Aldi to follow on December 11. Aldi will be supported by a team of 15-20 permanent full and parttime employees.
To celebrate the opening of Aldi Ocean Grove, there will be special buys on offer.
Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimatesshow Ocean Grove-Barwon Heads was one of the region’s fastest growing areas, swelling by 5.1 per cent in 12 months to 26,648.
Kingston Village will be Ocean Grove’s third shopping centre and is open from 7am-10pm seven days a week.
The shopping centre is at 122-160 Grubb Rd, Ocean Grove.