A new shopping destination is slowly coming to life in Akasia, just a short distance from the established Wonderpark Shopping Mall, after a lengthy delay that kept the development from operating at full capacity.

Akasia Boulevard Shopping Centre, situated at the corner of Doreen Street and First Avenue in Karenpark, is now seeing retailers and restaurants gradually open their doors as the centre moves towards becoming a fully operational neighbourhood shopping centre.

The development has been a familiar sight to residents for some time, but its opening was delayed by electricity-related challenges, leaving the centre unable to properly begin trading for an extended period. The prolonged delay created uncertainty around when the various businesses that had secured space would finally be able to operate.

That situation now appears to be changing, as among the businesses already trading at the centre is Waltloo Mean and Chicken, which is operating from Shop 23. The retailer is part of the Waltloo Meat & Chicken group, which has been operating in South Africa since 1995 and has more than 40 franchise stores; and another major attraction is Cappuccinos Akasia, which gives residents another restaurant and social meeting option close to home.

Clicks has confirmed an Akasia Boulevard store at Shop 2, with its published trading hours showing the pharmacy operating from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday from 08:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 09:00 to 14:00.

PEP PREPARING NEW STORE AT AKASIA BOULEVARD

There are further indications of a growing retail offering. Ditsibi Solutions, an ICT and technology business, lists its premises as Shop 1A at Akasia Boulevard Shopping Centre, where it sells computers, accessories and provides technology-related services.

For local residents, the significance of the development goes beyond simply having another shopping centre, as the centre could provide a more convenient alternative for everyday shopping, eating out, collecting prescriptions, buying meat and household goods, and accessing professional and technology services without residents having to travel further into Pretoria.

It also introduces additional competition into an area dominated by the much larger Wonderpark Shopping Centre. Wonderpark has more than 180 stores, as well as Karenpark Shopping Centre.

Akasia Boulevard is unlikely to compete with Wonderpark on sheer size. Instead, its emerging identity appears to be that of a convenience-focused neighbourhood centre, bringing a collection of familiar retailers and food outlets closer to residents in Karenpark and surrounding suburbs.

The most important development, however, is that the centre is finally beginning to trade after its long wait.