Christmas came early for Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) this year when they opened their 32nd mall in August, the Robinsons Magnolia, near New Manila in Quezon City.

Now a bustling destination in the north of the metro, the beautifully designed and laid out mall was an instant goldmine for RLC, which chalked up a 98-percent occupancy from retailers and dining establishments in time for its official inauguration.

But beyond the business side of things, Robinsons Magnolia’s developers are prouder of the fact that they have already lived up to the huge challenge of restoring the property’s legacy: As a place where fond memories are made when it was still the iconic Magnolia Ice Cream House for many years.

“The mall has successfully drawn in countless families and huge group of friends since we opened the doors of what we at Robinsons Land like to call our newest ‘baby’,” Arlene Magtibay, general manager of Robin-sons’ Commercial Center Division, told The Manila Times. “This, of course, is the promise that Robin-sons Magnolia made to the community who is very sentimental of the old ice cream house.”

Winning mixes
Magtibay primarily credits the much-raved about concept of global design firm RTKL for bringing in mallers, not just from the immediate vicinity of New Manila and Quezon City to Robinsons Magnolia, but also from the Ortigas, Greenhills and San Juan areas. [RTKL is behind several world-class malls in Hong Kong and Las Vegas among others].

“We have developed a mall that offers wide and spacious hallways for more convenient navigating when you shop or simply ‘pasyal,’ as we say in Filipino, with your friends or families,” she explained.

“The mall is airy and spacious, with lighting and a green scenery that relaxes instead of rushing you like other malls do.”

It is especially the “spacious hallways” that Magtibay mentioned which young families and the elderly appreciate at Robinsons Magnolia. Keeping them virtually clutter-free from clusters of kiosks, which is common in most malls, parents are easily able to push prams and strollers around, as do caregivers for the elderly who are in wheelchairs, as well as those assisted by walkers. Add to this the sizeable al fresco dining areas on every floor and the lush garden and events area called The Plaza, getting caught in the middle of a crowd is highly unlikely for small children and PWDs (persons with disability).

“We actually have the highly-respected doñas of New Manila regularly coming over to our mall!” Magtibay happily reported.

Of course, the wide and well organized mix of retailers, specialty shops and dining destinations is also what keeps patrons coming back. The method of zoning was effectively utilized at the mall, which groups together high-end fashion brands on a ground floor wing, and proudly homegrown labels just a floor above for the comfort of stylistas. There is also a home area, a kids’ zone, and a gadgets area for shoppers with specific missions.

“The mall is exclusive but not snobbish which affords every shopper a relaxing and pleasant experience,” Magtibay assured The Times.

Of course, a visit to Robinsons Magnolia is never complete without stopping by the new and well-appointed Magnolia Ice Cream House, a stand-alone structure at The Plaza, whose lone franchise has been awarded to a very young and industrious businessman by the name of Pierre Ching. Just like the mall, huge glass windows make up the single-storey ice cream parlor, which also serves scrumptious pastas, burgers, pizzas and salads, besides the classic Magnolia menu.

‘Christmas Moments’
With Robinsons Magnolia as the official RLC “baby,” the mall kicked off the chain’s series of Christmas

Tree lighting activities on November 9 with a free concert for its patrons, hosted by singer Karylle.

The show at the atrium was headlined by music royalty Gary Valenciano, harpist/singer Noelle Cassandra, and of course RLC’s ambassador, multi-talented artist Solenn Heussaff.

Heussaff also joined several top RLC executives for the lighting of the 28-foot tall Magnolia Holiday Tree, namely Maria Carina Ventura (Robinsons Magnolia group property manager); Lourdes Alano (RLC vice president for Corporate Lease); Arlene Magtibay (RLC general manager for Commercial Centers), and Tommy L. O, (RLC vice president for Property Management Group).

Magtibay also took the oppor-tunity to announce the line-up of RLC’s annual Christmas activities at all the Robinsons Malls, beginning with the live production of Spongebob Square Pants Crabby Patty Celebration; grand fireworks displays; Santa Clause appearances; Christmas caroling shows; as well as the first of its kind laser light exhibit, which will only take place at Robinsons Magnolia in early December.

“It is very fitting that we kicked off our Christmas activities here at Robinsons Magnolia, especially since our theme for this year is ‘Reliving Cherished Christmas Moments.’ I can see so many memories being made here today,” she ended.

For the complete schedule of Robinsons Malls Christmas activities, log on to www.robinsonsmalls.com.