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Since
the Pen Centre was built in 1958
as the Niagara Peninsula Centre, a single level, outside strip
mall, anchored by Loblaws and 50 retail stores,
it has been at the heart of retailing in the Niagara Region.
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1966, the evolution of the Pen Centre included the addition
of Simpson-Sears and 80 new stores, making the Pen
Centre the fourth largest shopping centre in Canada. The mall
remained as an open-strip, with landscaped walkways in between. |
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On Easter Monday 1973, Eaton's held its official opening.
By September 1975 the strip-mall was enclosed and became
a climate-controlled environment at a cost of $2 million. In
September 1975 Robinson's department store opened in
the former Miracle Mart location, the area which is now known
as the Bay. In 1982, a million-dollar cosmetic renovation
consisting of carpeting, mirrors and skylights was undertaken.
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In 1994, the Pen Centre began its $40 million renovation and
expansion project that began a new era of retailing excellence
in Niagara. The redevelopment added approximately 100,000 square
feet and over 70 new stores, making the Pen Centre's
over 1 million square foot facility, the largest shopping centre
in Niagara.
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| In
2002, the Pen Centre completed another exciting transformation,
with a major redevelopment of the former Eaton's wing that added
another 170,000 square feet of retailing excellence. This addition,
adjacent to the Food Court Amphitheatre, offers the same classic
Pen Centre architecture with high ceilings, bright skylights and
spacious hallways. |
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Expansion 2005
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new chapter in the history of the Pen Centre has
been written with the completion of a new 50,000 square foot
retail plaza in the southeast corner of the shopping centre's
parking lot, adjacent to Pier 1. The new retail centre, which
backs onto Highway 406 features five exciting stores. They
include HomeSense, The Shoe Company, Motherhood Maternity,
George Richards and Bowring. As well, with the demolition of
the Sears Auto Centre we welcome two brand new free-standing
restaurants, Boston Pizza and Kelsey's. |
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