A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the opening of the new food court at Square One Shopping Centre. Seeing as I was a Marketing Director at Yorkdale Shopping Centre decades ago, I was eager to see what this was all about. There’s still a small part of me that is interested to know what’s going on in the shopping centre industry!!
The event was hosted by James Cunningham from Food Networks’ Eat St., who actually grew up shopping at Square One. Pretty cool.
During the media preview, I learned that they invested $320 million dollars on 3 different initiatives. FOOD CENTRAL is the first milestone of this exciting new journey. Not only do guests have the opportunity to eat in a modern and sophisticated space but there are now 8 new food retailers as well.
What really impressed me…….. (drum roll please)……
Square One FOOD CENTRAL has just launched a food court with REAL PLATES and REAL CUTLERY. That’s right – no more styrofoam plates and no more plastic cutlery. THIS IS HUGE NEWS.
Here’s what this really means:
- It will displace 5.6 million styrofoam plates, plastic cups and cutlery from landfills every year
- Reduces food court waste from 1,200 tons to 480 tons (60% reduction)
- Reduces water usage through an energy efficient dishwashing system
The new retailers in the food court include: Big Smoke Burger, Amaya Express, Cultures, Su&shi and Noodle Bar, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Shanghai 260, Burger King, Szechuan Express.
Other exciting news for Square One, include the opening of Ann Taylor, Top Shop, White House/Black market and LOFT.
For more information:
Square One 100 City Centre Drive, Mississauga (905) 270 7771
Twitter: @ShopSquareOne
Eat St, Food Central, Food Court, Food Network, James Cunningham, Mississauga, Square One, Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Many decades ago, I was the Marketing Direcctor at Yorkdale Shopping Centre for a 9 month contract. Therefore, this shopping centre is near and dear to me. Not to mention I have always lived no more than 10 minutes away.
The other nite I went to see a movie (Prometheus) and had a bit of time to spare. I said “let’s check out the new food court!!” (like any good foodie would say). Off we went up this huge set of escalators. When we got to the top, I knew that this was no ordinary renovation. The space is stunning. Not to mention the mix of new restaurants that they have introduced:
Restaurants like: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Amaya Express, Big Smoke Burger (which used to be Craft Burger), Shanghai 360, SU & SHI Noodle Bar, Famosa Neopolitan Pizzeria, La Paloma Gelateria and Cafe, Espressamente illy (which opens at 830 a.m. by the way) and more. I was super impressed with these options. Plus some of these options allow you to sit down in a full service restaurant that looks like it should be downtown and not in a food court. That’s how stunning these restaurants are.
Now let’s talk about the space. When I showed these photos to my friend she said (no joke) – “You are lying”. It was really funny. She could not believe that these photos were taken from a food court. Yorkdale thought of everything – an outdoor patio, a beautiful fireplace lounge area, nooks with flowers in it. I only had my iphone with me (forgive me) but these photos will give you an idea.
see what I mean?
want to see outside? right this way....
the interior decor of one of the restaurants
I hope you get to visit Yorkdale Shopping Centre soon to check out this new (fabulous) Food Court too. Sadly I didn’t eat (damn this carb free diet) but hopefully soon I will be eating at one of the above mentioned restaurants.
Amaya Espresso, Big Smoke Burger, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Food Court, Shanghai 360, Yorkdale Shopping Centre
