Pampanga now has country’s longest mall

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – If Metro Manila has the largest mall in Asia, this province has the longest mall in the country.

Another mall record has been broken after the extension of SM Supermall here was completed recently. The mall now spans a length of 668 meters. 

Visible from the North Luzon Expressway straddling the boundaries of San Fernando and Mexico towns, SM City Pampanga became the Philippines’ longest after a series of building annexes were built in 2002, 2003 and this year to expand the original structure established in 2000, SM Prime Holdings announced yesterday.

“The first ever SM Supermall in the province and in Central Luzon when it opened to the public in 2000, SM City Pampanga now has a total building length of 668 meters and is composed of four connected buildings,” the firm, which owns the SM mall chains nationwide, said in a statement.

“With a total gross floor area of 128,089 square-meters, the mall now has more than 433 shops and boutiques to satisfy every shopper’s needs.”

The shopping center’s new annex, located in Barangay Lagundi in Mexico town, has a 17,439-square meter area, with 46 new shops offering more shopping and dining options.

SM Prime Holdings said the new expansion also provides for a call center to occupy 9,700 square-meters.

“Our continued expansion in Pampanga is testimony to its strong local economy,” said SM Prime Holdings president Henry Sy.

“Its proximity to Metro Manila and Subic, combined with its international airport in Clark Special Economic Zone, makes the province an ideal regional gateway and hub. Its diverse and refined cuisine is also a source of great pride for its people, giving it an additional attraction to its visitors. All these contribute to heightened malling activities in the area and pushed us to further expand SM City Pampanga,” Sy said.

SM City Pampanga’s 433 shops and boutiques include SM’s retail outlets such as the SM Department Store and SM Supermarket, ACE Hardware, Our Home, SM Appliance Center, Toy Kingdom, Watsons, Sports Central and Surplus Shop, the statement added.

Its newest annex now houses apparel shops such as Kipling, Von Dutch, Tribal, Bysi Boutique, Celine, Celio, Chales & Keith, Crocs, Flojo’s, Florsheim Kids, People are People, Periwinkle,Triumph, Mossimo Underwear, Red Hot Chili Jeans Wear, and Swiss Gear. Shoppers can try a new dining experience at these restaurants – Tempura, Flavours of China, and The Aristocrat.

It also features specialty shops including Davids For Rever, George Optical, Hearts and Arrow, Kitchen One, and SF-QI Wellness Holistic Spa, and 7 Eleven. Banco de Oro will also open another branch at the mall while China Bank will open its first branch at SM City Pampanga, SM said.  – Ding Cervantes