Robinsons opens flagship mall in Mindanao
MANILA, Philippines - The highly urbanized General Santos City brimmed with energy and excitement when Robinsons Place General Santos opened on Sept. 30. Over 100 national and local food and retail players opened their doors to serve excited mall-goers coming in from the local area and the neighboring cities of Cotabato, Koronodal, Tacurong, and some areas in Sarangani province.
The sprawling development of Robinsons Place General Santos, located along Jose Catolico Sr. Avenue, Lagao, General Santos City, spans a total gross floor area of 32,700 square meters. This new full-service mall sets a new record in the region as it houses more than a hundred of the country’s top national and new local tenants ranging from food, retail and specialty outlets. Robinsons Malls’ major anchor stores, Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Appliances, Robinsons Movieworld and Handyman-Do-It-Best Home Center also opened major branches inside the mall.
In its desire to bring in the signature “Robinsons Malls experience” to the GenSan market, the mall efficiently integrated “easy and breezy shopping,” fast and casual dining, and fun and entertainment to satisfy every customer’s wants and needs.
And to redefine an extremely different kind of malling experience within GenSan’s already thriving commercial center industry, this newest landmark also offers creative mall features that will truly excite GenSan mall-goers. A hip and modish al fresco dining strip with a wide selection of food outlets will be GenSan’s newest fresh and vibrant dining escapade.
The list of tenants includes Robinsons Bank, Sun Cellular, Mang Inasal, Jollibee, Rai Rai Ken, Dunkin Donuts, CD-R King, LBC, Bench, Maldita, Alberto, Geox, Ystilo, Happy Feet, Pink Box, Silicon Valley, Perfect Image, Mercury Drug, Skin Perfect, Gibi Shoes, Timberland, Whoops, Travel Republic, Western Union, Marcella, National Bookstore, Quantum, Travel Club, Lonely Planet, Mirror Mirror, Reborn, Res/Toe/Run, Blued, Avid Surfer, Gamer’s Station, Bigby’s, HBC, Sisig Bar ni Aling Lucing, Watch Central, Time Depot, Vintage Vision, Casa Ilongga, Rusty Lopez, Azaleia, Aficionado, Waffle Time, Unisilver, Kaila Bags, Odyssey, Takuyaki, Eyes & Shades, Churros City, Hong Kong Style Noodles, Potato Madness, Mr. Softy, Black Pearl, Silverworks, Calamares Republic, Holy Kettle Corn, Smokey’s, The Health Shop, Hotdog on Sticks, and Time Concept.
There are also various homegrown local enterprises to check out such as the Manny Pacquiao Shop, Ice Crops Express, Blugre Café, The Sunset Bar & Bistro, Mandarin Tea Garden, Grab-a-Crab and Coffee Club 101, Aunt Ludi, Big Ben’s Steak House, Petco, Car Plus, Giacomino’s, Juni Gin’s Kakanin, Argento Silver, Elzenic’s, Pacman Shawarma, Frozbite Yoghurt, Arpee’s Flower Shop, Café Fonti and Creamy Crepes.
Mindanao’s local food industry player Mandarin Tea Garden is well-known for its authentic Chinese cuisine. It is owned and managed by Uptown Plaza Corporation, a Davao-based proprietor and operator of several food businesses. In a span of nine years, Mandarin Tea Garden has successfully established 10 outlets in different areas in Davao, Cagayan De Oro and General Santos.
Bluegre Coffee, another proud business from Davao, is now on its second outlet in GenSan. Owned by imaginative entrepreneur Gatchi Gatchalian, this fast-growing coffee shop is famous for its rich-tasting coffee flavors, mouthwatering cakes and pastries and most ingenious product, durian coffee. With its unique concepts and products, Bluegre Coffee is fast becoming a favorite hangout of the Generals. In fact, it has been franchised by no less than GenSan’s most famous couple, Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao.
Another big concept entering the scene is Big Ben’s Steakhouse, an Australian-inspired steakhouse restaurant owned by Ben Tupas. Although beef and steak items comprise a good portion of the menu, the concept also includes a variety of appetizing chicken, ribs, seafood, and pasta dishes. It is committed to offering consistently high-quality food and service, generous portions at moderate prices and a casual atmosphere suggestive of the Australian Outback.
Adding to the dynamic mix of food outlets inside Robinsons Place General Santos is Piyesta KTV and Resto Bar. Singing and dining will never be the same again as this promising restaurant revolutionizes the traditional karaoke experience. Piyesta also provides everyone with freshly cooked and prepared meals to satisfy the most discerning palates.
A new player in General Santos’ food industry, Grab-a-Crab and Coffee Club 101 is a new casual dining restaurant owned and managed by maverick entrepreneur Michael Wee. By incorporating soulful sounds, soothing lighting and sleek leather couches that spell modern glam, it invigorates the urban crowds’ day- and nightlife. Having always dreamt of opening his own restaurant where he could chill out with friends, Michael finally made it a reality.
JG Summit property development arm Robinsons Land Corporation is currently operating two commercial centers in Mindanao: Robinsons Cagayan de Oro, which has been operational for seven years now, and the recently opened Robinsons Cybergate Davao. It has also established 10 residential subdivisions in the region, six of which are located in Davao and the rest in Cagayan de Oro.
