The size and open plan impressed many visitors when the South Village shopping centre opened on Wednesday.
A blast of Sesame Street music from the Kirrawee High School Jazz Orchestra launched the retail centre with the opening of the Coles supermarket.
The official opening of the centre will take place later in the day, accompanied by a range of children’s entertainment, including PJ Masks.
The centre includes three courtyard areas bordered by food, beverage and retail outlets, with access from car park entries in Princes Highway, Flora Street and Oak Road.
Restaurants and cafes include Criniti’s, Lone Star Rib House, Guzmen y Gomez, Grill’d, Joe Jr, Umaya and ThaiRiffic.
Christopher’s Cake Shop is another well known name.
The health and fitness precinct includes Plus Fitness Gym and BodyMindLife.
Dominic Criniti, who was preparing to open the family’s latest restaurant for lunch at 11am, said he had done a 24-hour shift making sure everything was in order.
“The precinct is amazing,” he said.
“Something like this and of this size in the shire is phenomenal.
“You have your established centres, but this is different because it is part of a large residential development and it will be great for the demographic, which suits us to a tee.
“It’s great to be part of it and to bring our brand to the shire.”
The Tamping Ground cafe was doing a roaring trade as shoppers poured into the centre.
Owner Christian Boulos, who has operated a cafe in the industrial area in Parraweena Road, Taren Point, for 15 years, said he was approached by Mirvac Retail to expand into South Village.
”It’s a good development and there are a lot of opportunities,” he said.
Early visitors were very impressed.
Cassandra Saba said, “It looks really nice and I love the open plan and the restaurants”.
“Coles looks really big compared with the Sutherland store.
“I work nearby and I am sure we will be up here a lot.”
Andrew, a fire brigade officer, inspected the centre two weeks ago.
“I can’t believe the size of the place,” he said.
“I wouldn’t like to guess how many truck loads of concrete came in.
“I think it will be pretty popular when it hits its straps.”
Brian Harvey, who lives with his wife Valerie at the nearby Donald Robinson Retirement Village, said residents had been looking forward to the opening.
“It’s quite impressive, and in a few weeks when it is fully established I think it will be even better,” he said.
”The area is growing and it needs this.”
Amal Saba commented “The size is amazing, well done”.
Dolly Murr said, “It’s very nice, beautiful – didn’t think it would be this good.”
Opening week activities will include live music, local yoga sessions, face painting and a pop-up cinema from Thursday to Sunday.
