BREAKING NEWS: The long-anticipated Bloomfield Shopping Centre in South Orange has secured its first tenant, marking a significant milestone for the community. Mani Singh and his brother Manjit Singh have confirmed that they will open a “mid-sized” Spar supermarket at the new location on Forest Road, directly across from Orange Hospital.
This development comes just as major retailers like Woolworths and Aldi are expanding their presence in the area. The Spar store is expected to offer more than twice the inventory of the existing Moulder Street shop, catering to the growing local population and nearby facilities.
Mani Singh expressed optimism about the new venture, stating, “We think it’s a good chance to cater to the hospital, Cadia mining, and Shiralee is growing too, so there are big opportunities here.” The Spar will feature a diverse range of products, including hot food and a takeaway liquor store, aiming to serve the booming community effectively. “It’s a booming area,” he noted. “People don’t need to go into town now; we’ll have it here.”
Construction is currently underway, with the brothers anticipating an opening by the first week of November 2023. Despite being the first business to set up in the shopping centre, Mani is confident about their position: “It would be very beneficial when they all fill up, but being the first tenant, we’ll already have that support.”
David Hall from Benchmark Commercial, the leasing agent for the site, stated that securing the first tenant is crucial in attracting others. He has already received preliminary interest from various businesses, including health professionals, a baker, hairdresser, and florist, as well as a fitness group. Hall is hopeful that the shopping centre could be fully occupied by mid-2026.
“No one wants to be the first, so it was critically important to get this first tenant,” Hall remarked. “The nature of the business is going to attract a lot of people.”
As this project unfolds, residents can look forward to increased convenience and new retail options in South Orange. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
