Feb 22, 2007 06:47 PM
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After the failure of Crossroads, Tardeo and a relatively lukewarm experience to CR2, Nariman Point and Atria, Worli it did come as a surprise to many that a mall should come up right at Mumbai Central. But then, business is all about taking that big risk. And for Pantaloons, the risk was well worth it. For Orchid City Centre opposite the Mumbai Central bus depot sees the maximum number of footfalls among the three South Mumbai malls. Modelled on High Street Phoenix at Lower Parel, it is well spread out. Of course, high footfalls don't always translate into big sales.
But when the price of products are almost half of what you get at Phoenix Mills, it's enough to get the cash registers ticking. Hear this - the price of a silver-and-bead necklace at Pantaloons, City Centre could come for Rs 350 as opposed to Rs 650 at Pantaloons, Phoenix Mills. Ditto for T-shirts. Add to that attractive discounts on the offer.
The variety's better too and more importantly, you find wearable clothes. Even at Big Bazaar on the third floor, you find a lot more variety in daily household appliances than you find at Lower Parel. Brands such as Body Shop, Sports Centre and Jeans 21 have their own outlets but most shops keep assorted stuff. As for food, the food court, Spoon isn't bad and it quite reasonably priced. Recommend you try out the kebabs as they are VFM at Rs 70 a plate with a roomali roti and dal thrown in.
The coffee shop, Coffee World doesn't have much to talk about with only chocolate cake and quiches. Coffee too is very ordinary. The flipside:
Crowd: Avoid weekends because there's literally no place to stand.
Location: They couldn't have got it more right - bang near the Mumbai Central Station and bus depot but hell happens when you approach the place. And if the traffic chaos won't rob you of your enthusiasm, the half-hour wait to cross the road will. But once you are in there, you won't really regret the experience.
