The massive New Horizon Mall is now open.... kind of (PHOTOS)
Whether or not Balzac’s New Horizon Mall is open for business yet is kind of up in the air.
On one hand, the 320,000 sq. ft., Asia-inspired mall is allowing visitors in from noon to 5 pm, but on the other, the grand opening will not take place until later this fall.
See also
- New mall in Balzac to have twice as many stores as Chinook Centre
- Construction of Calgary's largest mall nearing completion
- These three islands named best in Canada to travel to in 2018
The mall had a soft opening this past spring when it opened the doors for store owners to move in and set up shop, but the 500 retail spaces available are still not quite filled with entrepreneurial retailers.
There’s a reason for the slow fill-up, as New Horizon Mall does not operate the same way Chinook Centre or The CORE does.
New Horizon Mall will be the first mall in Alberta where every storefront is purchased by individuals, being bought and sold like condos. These retail spaces may be owner-operated or leased out to a retailer by the owner.
Some owners have already moved in and are ready for customers, but other retail spaces were bought to lease, and owners are still looking for someone to fill them will goods.
“Smaller businesses have long wanted access to the same kind of shopping mall environment and the corresponding customer base enjoyed by larger businesses,” Torgan Group President Eli Swirsky said in a release.
“This mall breaks down the barriers for businesses looking for that retail advantage in a unique mall environment not found anywhere else in southern Alberta.”
Because the building is open to the public, a few would-be shoppers went and took some photos of the relatively empty space.
The first store to open for business, Koreana Beauty and Health, opened its doors on June 21, and a staging area is currently in place to help future merchants become established.
New Horizon Mall
Hours: Noon to 5 pm
Where: 260300 Writing Creek Cres, Balzac
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
With files from Lucas Taylor
Follow Channels and Categories