Is the Pines Shopping suffering because of Doncaster Shoppingtown?
The only thing it has going for it is the late night Coles, which "Shoppo" can't replace cus Pines is closer to my place.
Will you still go to the Pines?
32 Comments
Yes, my wife will still go the Pines because she likes Aldi. Also think Shoppingtown is going to be very busy at peak times - so I might go to the Pines if I want to get a carpark.
Hey Templeman,
I wouldnt be so sure about that, I was up at shoppingtown on the weekend and I thought it was a little deserted compared to the past few months. Im sure when Myer and the cinemas open up it will get 100x's worse.
The Pines will still be a useful shopping center to have, but i dont think it is meant to compete with Doncaster Shoppingtown. It's more of a smaller boutique shopping experience, and serves a more local community rather than a wider range of suburbs like Shoppingtown.
I think you have to take into consideration that whilst the reno's have been going on at shoppo the pines has really capitilised on being one of the only shopping centres in the area and the traders there have been loving it.....it will go back to what was normal if not worse as shoppo will attract alot of shoppers...and now that they have a target well id hate to say it but that was probably the pines main drawcard....
I personally will still go to the pines for groceries and odds and ends but really if i want to "shop" ill be heading to Doncaster....With Myers, David Jones and still many specialty stores to open why would you go anywhere else....
The Pines has always felt like a half baked shopping complex. Not enough shops, the larger stores like Target dont have the range of the stores in the likes of Chadstone, Eastland.
I dont like the Pines and while Shoppingtown was under construction would go to Eastland.
I think The Pines serves it purpose. It's a quick place to get what you need and get out..not the sort of place to go walking around with your friends (as you could possibly find yourself doing at the new Doncaster shoppingtown complex).
I still like The Pines, because it isn't over crowded (most of the time), easy to get around, and a lot closer to home than Doncaster. If I need to get the groceries...The Pines. If I need to do a little cloths shopping - Doncaster Shoppingtown.
They both serve their purpose for me. I'll continue to go to both depending on what I need!
Spot on Davey, I wouldn't really go "shopping" and The Pines. It's more a place to get the necessities.
Donnyresident, surely "Eastland" is a little extreme to be going instead of the Pines. Northland (Norflans) is closer than East Land!
For me, Eastland is much better than Northland. I can always get a park on the roof, it has just as much shops as Northland and with the new Eastlink connection I can get their just as quick. I've always found Northland and the surrounding areas (Homemaker Center and Bunnings) to be incredibly busy.
And Eastland and the Pines dont compare. No Myers, no JB Hi Fi, in fact Pines is lacking most non-supermarket shops.
I'm going to bump this one guys, as Doncaster Shoppingtown has really settled in. To be honest, I never go to The Pines anymore unless it is for food shopping.
I never go there for anything else as you just don't have the variety that Shoppingtown has. Does anyone have any official numbers on the centre if the profits or foot traffic is down? Has anyone noticed it being less busy?
AJ
i still do go to the pines every Monday.....mainly for groceries...but i do pop into Cinori, Just Junior and a couple of the ladies stores that Doncaster DONT have...lol....but in saying that im at Shoppingtown every Friday and i always grab all my presents and bits and pieces there...
A few of the shops have closed at the pines and a few new ones have opened...i dont know any official figures but it FEELS like it is not as busy as it was when Doncaster was going through the renos...but i would say it is just as busy as what it was 2 years ago....
I was at the Pines on the weekend, it was packed. I find it easier to go for quick groceries, Shoppingtown while huge is a bit of an effort to get park, and once inside it takes forever to walk from one end to the other.
Clearly there is room for both. But you might want to avoid both until after Christmas!
I agree Tempy, it just feels a little dead to me during the week. On weekends I'm occasionally up there shopping around for groceries, but most of the time, I'd prefer to go to Shoppingtown Farmers Market. They have great cheeses up there :)
@JVS it does depend on if you are closer to the Pines or Shoppingtown. I'd go to Shoppingtown every time, but living closer to the pines makes it easier just to go there.
I don't think you can really compare The Pines with Shoppingtown. All I go to the Pines for sometimes is for Supermarket shopping and I also like the little boutique "Catalog" . Shoppo has so much more to offer !
Heard a rumour that the kids toy store Coochicoo is closing down from the Pines? Can anybody confirm? It's a great little store with unique toys.
Yes JVS....the toy store and Coochi are closing...i believe they move out the 24th of DEC..must say i went in today thinking i might grab a bargain and only the a few things were on sale...nothing exciting!!!....rumour has it that Dick Smith are moving into it as 1 big store
Thanks for the update Tempy. Think I will visit also, they have some unique kids stuff. Dick Smith would be handy though.
@walster very true, the parking at Doncaster Shoppingtown is a massive pain in the butt.
@Tempy that really sucks about the toy stores at the Pines. With Christmas, birthdays and kids parties for all my neices and nephews, I forgot how frequently I used those. They bailed me out more than a few times for presents for new borns as well.
@JVS Dick Smith is so average, I have no use for it whatsoever.
Not surprised that Coochi are closing....not sure if we need another Dick Smith though !
I went shopping at Doncaster Shoppingtown and it was surprisingly quiet !
Is the pines Eb games moving to doncaster
Eb games is already at Doncaster JamesKerr
EB games closed down at Shoppingtown, has the Pines EB gone too?
Really!!! My son is going to be devistated!!
Are you sure both have closed down? There were 2 EB's at Doncaster Shoppingtown last time i was there. I'd be shocked if both have closed.
100% sure. The second EB shut down about a year ago and the one adjacent to JB Hi Fi is gone (or going this week). I received an email saying they are having a closing down sale of games. As a regular buyer of games we always found the prices at JB to be cheaper. No surprise. And I always found the retail experience to be pretty poor, hard to find the games, messy store. That combined with kids buying Ipad games, only stores like JB will be able to compete.
I was in there yesterday, not sure they will be closing Target as they seem to be setting up the KMart floor layout while still trading under Target. I think it will be a welcome addition to the Pines, with all of the nearby apartments going in we need more stores!
To clarify they will be closing Target eventually once the refurb is done to become Kmart.
Agreed - the Pines has stayed the test of time. It is super convenient to if you just want to grab food and groceries. It's pretty good for all the basics without the crowds that Shoppingtown has.
As a local I can say the Pines Shopping Centre is now booming. The all new Kmart, Aldi has had a makeover, Boost Juice and the new Fish Pier are all great additions. I go there weekly for groceries, Doncaster Shoppingtown is definitely more of an effort, especially parking.
It's only going to grow further with the announcement of 4 apartment towers across the road. Happy to see it thriving!
I think in terms of product range they started falling behind and became stale. Then Kmart started to offer a better product mix at same prices. The Kmart always seems busy so must be doing well.