Turning over a new leaf

I’m putting a stop to my shopping. Is that even possible? Even Becky Bloomwood has her down time! For I dropped by The Gardens on Saturday and failed to make a single purchase (or succeeded not to make a single purchase).

After the hype about newly opened Pavilion KL, everyone was anticipating the opening of The Gardens at Mid Valley City. Surprisingly, the launch on 26^th Sept was rather quiet, without even a launch ad in the main papers. Do they expect the crowd to turn up merely because Mid Valley is constantly packed with shoppers as it is?

My first impression of The Gardens? I’m not wildly impressed like I did at Pavilion KL. A bit of a disappointment actually, maybe because Pavilion KL had set a high standard to my expectation.

Things that I’m in favor of…

• The architectural design of the mall is rather impressive compared to most shopping malls that are built for functionality and not on aesthetic

• Robinsons is here! One of the leading departmental stores from Singapore, Robinsons offers some interesting brands that we don’t usually get here (I can’t wait for their sale! Opps.. yes yes, repent!).. But I have to say that the layout in Robinsons is a bit too cluttered (I can imagine people stepping on my toes when it is on sale) – maybe they are trying to fit all these new exciting brands into a limited space

• No complaint over another Isetan in town – always one of my favourite departmental store (but then in about 2 weeks time, I'll be in Isetan's country of origin)

• The mall directory with interactive touch-screen! A refreshing change and instantly elevated The Gardens to another level up from its competitors. But knowing Malaysians, the screens are very likely to be spoilt by my next visit

Things that do not impressed me..

• I was practically eating dust at that place! Everywhere you turn, workers are frantically cleaning and scrubbing away the floors and the wood railings. The mall shouldn’t even be opened to public yet. It’s a health hazard! (Ok, this can easily be rectified with more scrubbing & polishing..)
  
• Most shops are similar to that of what Pavilion KL has to offer. The exceptions being their anchor tenants, Robinsons and Isetan, probably Marketplace by Cold Storage as opposed to Mercato in Pavilion. Retail shops that are not in Gardens, are available in Mid Valley (however, still not housed under one roof unlike my new love, Pavilion)
  
• No connecting bridge from Mid Valley to Gardens (even 1 Utama new and old wings are easily accessible in a seamless structure). You can walk over from Mid Valley where Starbucks is, but the canopy walkway looks crappy and can hardly accommodate the throng of people trying to cross
  
• Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) is opening its first boutique cinema in town. A fancy name to cater to only Gold Class and Premiere Class halls. Not fair! I won’t be able to afford! Hmpt!

• The adaptation of the parking system from Mid Valley is so not happening. The ticket counters are still manned by ticketing personnel (er.. what about installing payment machines? What happened to the hi-tech mall that uses touch-screen for directory??)

Ok, just my personal view. But still, I’m quite happy that there’s this new mall for my future shopping whim.

Shops and more shops opening soon...

2-Storey Gap, with Gap Kids and Baby Gap on the upper floor


Levi's Kids, first ever in town


Yes! Another Mooks! :)

Well, this Becky Bloomwood is hibernating for now.. maybe the bug has been passed on to Luke Brandon.. you don't want to know what dear bf bought! OMG! *fainted*