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The bustle is back at the Cornwall Centre.
On Thursday, the mall celebrated its 40th birthday, displaying photographs and artwork depicting its history while handing out giveaways to shoppers.
It was a much different scene from a year ago, thanks to vaccines and the lifting of public health restrictions.
“We go back to 2020 for our shutdown, we had three stores open and we’d walk around the shopping centre and that you had a few hundred people visit a day, and it was a real different experience,” said Doug Bailey, general manager.
“The timing of our 40th anniversary is great because we’re allowed to really embrace this without having to really restrict it and be worried about some of those rules were in place previously.”
Cupcakes were served for the Cornwall Centre’s 40th anniversary on Aug. 19, 2021.
Bailey said foot traffic is still recovering to pre-pandemic levels. Each week, he said it rises by about 10 per cent.
“It was very tough to see but it’s for the right reasons. Our ICUs and everything were busy at that time,” he said.
“Now that we’re on the other side of that coin, it’s great to see this place busy again.”
The mall has more than 80 tenants and Bailey said they were helping them out with rent relief during the pandemic. He said government assistance through programs like the wage subsidy and emergency loans were helpful as well.
“I think those programs allowed a lot of them to weather that storm,” he said. “It wasn’t easy but it made it so we could get through this without any closures.”
The key to the Cornwall’s longevity, Bailey said, is adaptability. Social media helps them understand their clients better. Many of the mall’s stores have expanded into e-commerce and curbside service.
“We have a little bit more reach than we used to when I think you need that in today’s market,” he said.
In the competition for consumer dollars, he said bricks and mortar has the edge in the experience that can be provided.
“You can feel and touch and try on stuff. Online shopping always (has) that disconnect and that’s where I think we benefit,” Bailey said.
