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<\/p>\nAlso announced was the addition of a 30,000-square-foot H-Mart Asian grocer.<\/p>\n
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Tae Kim, H-Mart marketing manager, said H-Mart began in the 1980s as an Asian grocery store, and it will provide specialty items from across Asia which can be hard to find anywhere else.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe try to provide our customers with Asian culture experience. So both foods and culture, that\u2019s our main key.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kim said they\u2019re hoping to open the Woodgrove H-Mart location in 2028 on the second floor of the former Hudson\u2019s Bay location, while the first floor is planned to be turned into a TM Wander.<\/p>\n
Described by Liu as a \u201cHong Kong temple style night street market,\u201d a 24,000-square-foot TM Wander opened in Tsawwassen Mills shopping centre in Delta earlier this year, also owned by Liu.<\/p>\n
Mayor Leonard Krog also spoke briefly at the event, saying Vancouver Island is \u201cpoised for a period of significant economic activity,\u201d and is happy to see further redevelopment at Woodgrove.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis reflects confidence in our local economy. It reflects confidence in this city and this community to continue to grow and develop and provide services for the growing population.\u201d<\/p>\n
A large LED art display is also envisioned amid the parking on site, again including a performance venue.<\/p>\n
Structural additions and alterations to the property are subject to municipal approvals.<\/p>\n
The ambitious plan comes amid a period of change for the shopping centre.<\/p>\n
Liu, through her company Central Walk, purchased the Woodgrove Centre property<\/a> for a reported $200 million in September 2020.<\/p>\n At the time, she promised activities and educational opportunities for children and seniors, wanting the shopping centre to once again be a community hub.<\/p>\n Little development has happened on site since, and the mall was put up for sale in spring 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n Challenges for the property include the loss of two major tenants, with The Bay shutting its doors around the same time the property was put on the market.<\/p>\n Toys \u2018R\u2019 Us followed late in the year<\/a> with its closure, following ongoing financial pressure facing the retailer.<\/p>\n Woodgrove Centre underwent a prior expansion and renovation in 2000.<\/p>\n The mall\u2019s most recent overhaul was completed in 2016,<\/a> featuring a revamped food court, new washrooms, flooring and lighting among other enhancements.<\/p>\n Woodgrove Centre is by far the mid Island region\u2019s most lucrative property among all property categories with its valuation recorded at $207 million<\/a> as of last summer, according to BC Assessment.<\/p>\n Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening.<\/a> Stay up-to-date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.<\/p>\n info@nanaimonewsnow.com<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us on: Twitter (X)<\/a> | Bluesky<\/a> | Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n