CUPE COY:--- The shopping experience in St. Maarten went up a few notches, with the recent official opening of the ultra-modern Blue Mall: touted as the largest shopping mall in St. Maarten and in the North-eastern Caribbean.
The exquisite Blue Mall features five spacious levels of commercial and business spaces and four levels containing 37 luxury one, two, and three-bedroom residential suites, most of which have already been sold.
Most of the stores in the first phase the project are already open and have been catering to shoppers for some months prior to the Mall's official gala opening on Saturday, December 14 witnessed by a cross section of the community including dignitaries from both sides of the island.
St. Maarten is renowned for its Duty free status and for being a shopping haven attracting consumers from neighbouring islands and all over the Caribbean. Blue Mall's expansive retail options with an eclectic mix of stores fit perfectly in the island's shopping status.
The wide selection of brands at the Mall, cater to every taste and suits just about any pocket. High end shoppers, for example, have a wide mix of options to choose from the list of world class brand on offer; while the economical bargain shopper would be able to select from the array of suitable treats in the facility. With a number of stores selling women, men's and children's apparel as well as items for the home – there is something for every member of the family at Blue Mall.
"The Mall caters to everyone and has something for everyone," says Luis Emilio Velutini, President of Fondo de Valores Immobiliarios (FVI), which runs Blue Mall. FVI was founded in 1992 in Caracas, Venezuela and specialises in the real estate and financial business – dedicated to invest, promote, and manage the rental of high-end commercial centers and office spaces.
Attractive brands at Blue Mall include Kiton, La Perla, Cortefiel, Bimba & Lola, Planeta Sports, Balu Accessories, Crocs, Swatch, Pylones, Villa Pizza, Yogen Fruz, Atypique, Nature's Best, Brioni, Opera (Salvatore Ferragamo, Dolce & Gabana, Borsalino, Hackett, Tumi, Cerruti, Coach, Fray, Lanvin, Adolfo Dominguez), Swarovski, Adidas, Zippy, Enjoy SXM, Bexclusive, Parrot's Deli Café, Wetzel's Pretzel's, Battlefield Sports, Bacchus, Paul and Shark, Dunhill, SuiteBlanco, Guess, Women's Secret, Desigual, Quiksilver, Everlast, Fashion & Chic, Avecolor, Shake n' Twist, Nature's Juice and the soon to be opened 7D Cinema.
The mix of brands, many of which are new to St. Maarten, also means that the scores of residents, who previously traveled off island to places such as Puerto Rico, Miami and New York to shop, can now do so a drive away, in the comfort of their homeland.
Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams and President of the Collectivité of French St. Martin Aline Hanson acknowledged and lauded this benefit in remarks at the gala opening ceremony. The Prime Minister said Blue Mall has shown a lot of confidence and hope in the country.
An added treat for shoppers this holiday season, are the many specials on offer at many of the stores throughout the mall just in time of the Christmas season. Shoppers can take advantage of attractive discounts on gifts and personal items for themselves or for family and friends.
In addition to the shopping attractions; Blue Mall is shaping up as a place to see and be seen - a trendy meeting place where the entire family, friends or groups can come and relax in the afternoons and on weekends. There are plenty of seating facilities around eateries for families to enjoy an afternoon treat and laughs together.
Velutini's hope is that Blue Mall, with its wide mix and array of brands, options and amenities, breathes new life to the island.
Walking around the facility is a treat in itself. The panoramic view of the therapeutic sea and surrounding areas from inside the Mall is breathtaking. From the inside you get a bird's eye view of the facility from upper floors.
It is always an interesting treat to see what eye-catching vehicle(s) is on display on the lower level. Displays are done in collaboration with Motorworld and Caribbean Auto.
With 18 commercial escalators between floors (plus two residential escalators) and elevators to move from floor to floor, manouvering around the mall is easy and trouble free for customers including the physically challenged. The three main entrances to the Mall also include access for wheelchair bound shoppers.
Safety and security is a top priority for the Mall, which has ample security measures including Closed Circuit Television CCTV system which records around the clock and a security room where activities in the complex are monitored. Security personnel are also on the premises around the clock.
Blue Mall is located at 162 Rhine Road, Cupe Coy and is easily accessible from French St. Martin via Terres Basses. In Dutch St. Maarten, it is a few minutes' drive from SXM Airport (Princess Juliana International Airport). Telephone: +721 545-1824.
Get the 411 on what's happening at Blue Mall and on special offers by logging on to their social media: Twitter account @sxmbluemall and on Facebook page: Blue Mall SXM, website: www.bluemallsxm.com or their You Tube channel and Instagram.
