It has been close to dormant for some time, but the East Mall is starting to spring back to life with a number of new businesses plus some relocations bringing back the foot traffic.
More than 4 years after a call to create an ‘eat street’ to resolve the lack of foot traffic, and two years after the central mall was back to normal operation with most stores full, the recent flurry of activity driven by food outlets has been most welcome.
Two new food businesses have opened. The large corner site at the entrance to the mall has been taken by Tamworth burger joint Burger Bulls. Originally from Melbourne, Dilbir and Pawan had a vision to bring the irresistible flavours of big city burgers to Tamworth while keeping the country spirit alive and prices affordable. They’ve been serving mouthwatering gourmet burgers in Tamworth since 2021, and started bringing their food truck to Armidale soon after. Staff say business has been good since they opened their second bricks and mortar site in the East End Mall location just before Christmas, with a steady stream of hungry customers 7 days a week.
A couple of doors up is Armidale’s new frozen yoghurt spot, Tumbl. Owned by Anthony and Genevieve Chick, who are very passionate about supporting business in this part of town, the simple shop with great flavoured frozen yoghurt has become an instant hit.
The foot traffic to these new food locations is having a wonderful flow on effect to other businesses. My Hippie Shop, which was where Tumbl is now, moved down two doors to be between Burger Bulls and the Armidale Cycle Centre. Staff member Grace says the move has been great, and it’s wonderful to see people back in the East Mall.
“We’ve definitely noticed it, people popping in for a look while waiting for their burgers. It’s been great,” she said.
Across the laneway, the Armidale Pet Shop, have also noticed the increased foot traffic. The well loved institution has been at the site for 34 years, originally as just a small store focused on pet fish. Brad and Sunny will celebrating their tenth year in the business this August, so have seen all the ebbs and flows of the extended mall. While their core customer base is passionately loyal to the local independent store and their first rate service, they say they have noticed much more casual browsing.
“Absolutely we have noticed it, particularly people wandering around the shop eating their frozen yoghurt. It’s great.”
“Also having the cafe as well, there’s always people there.”
The cafe is Double Drop Espresso, the new brand and location of the beloved Laneway Coffee, which relocated from the Mall Arcade in the centre mall to the Hanna’s Arcade location, with a takeaway window on to the mall itself, last November. Matt Neary has been operating the business with their specialty coffees and treats for five years, and customer Jess says they would have followed them anywhere.
“It’s my favourite coffee in Armidale. I mean, this is a coffee town, there’s lots of great coffee, but these single origin beans that Double Drop have are my faves.”
Other new and improved businesses are also destined to appear in the mall soon, including a new Ezidi restaurant that will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a taste of authentic Ezidi flavours on the menu.
Armidale Regional Council is committed to plan to the latest plan to change the mall to straighten the roadway and more than doubling the parking spots in the East Mall, when funding can be secured. They will also be raising the intersection between the east end mall and the centre mall, removing the kerb and guttering, creating a seamless walking surface between the two. Car charging stations and public art are also proposed as part of the East Mall redevelopment plans.
Council is also committed to having more activity in the mall, including the Australian Open feature with the big screen on now until the end of January, and the beloved Markets in the Mall on tomorrow January 19.
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