CityMall is a brand new shopping center located on one of the busiest streets in Cebu.
CityMall Bacalso serves as the inaugural establishment of the CityMall Commercial Centers Inc. (CMCCI) in Cebu City. The new shopping center, offering budget-friendly services, stands on one of the busiest streets in the city, Natalio Bacalso Avenue.
CMCCI meticulously chooses its locations by focusing on the busiest areas around town. In this case, the mall is between Cebu South Bus Terminal and the Elizabeth Mall (Emall).
This budget-friendly mall offers quality services through Filipino fast-food chains and retailers.
The 1.1-hectare property has several schools, other transport terminals, gas stations, and government agencies nearby. Colon Street, the oldest street in the Philippines and an already thriving business zone, is also just a few minutes away.
CityMall gathers some of the most popular Filipino fast-food chains and retail outlets in a highly accessible area of the city. Their promotion of local businesses has made the franchise recognizable to Filipinos everywhere, as it has become one of the most successful community mall chains in Visayas and Mindanao.
The mall is already open to the public, albeit with only a few stores operating. However, you can catch a glimpse of what CityMall has to offer while taking a stroll inside.
HERE IS WHAT CITYMALL BACALSO HAS TO OFFER
Prime Spaces for Businesses
With its goal of promoting Filipino businesses, CityMall has strategic branches of some of the country’s biggest fast-food chains.
According to the project information page on the Double Dragon Corporation website, CityMall stores have included a franchise of famous Filipino food retailers, like Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, and Chowking.
The mall also has non-food retailers under the SM Corporation. These include Savemore, Ace Hardware, and Watson’s.
There are already a few food stalls such as Waffle Time, Julie’s Bakeshop, and Black Pearl on the ground floor. These stalls cater more to the traveling shopper, who prefers bringing something light as they walk around the mall.
The project information page has also released teasers of special spaces for restaurants and a food court.
Budget Shopping
CityMall Bacalso has several options for those shopping on a budget.
CityMall promotes shopping on a budget through several retail stores and a supermarket, such as the famous MerryMart.
Mr. DIY – one of Asia’s most popular budget shopping stores – has a branch on the second floor. The store sells budget home products, gadgets, and even some clothes at low prices.
It also has multiple branches in other shopping centers in the city, like Ayala Center Cebu.
Directly below it on the ground floor is the Mi Department Store, which sells clothes, toys, and school and office supplies. It is the successor of the first branch located at Emall.
Finally, the mall’s supermarket, MerryMart, caters to low to middle-income consumers looking for more competitive prices. This full-size supermarket offers various products, from food to home appliances and even pharmaceuticals.
Recreational Activities
The mall also has venues for some family-friendly recreational activities.
You can visit the arcade, known as Fun Nation. Kids and the young at heart can enjoy and have fun through the selection of arcade games, rides, and a karaoke machine.
You can also expect a few social events inside the mall, as the spacious ground floor can host concerts and celebrity meet-and-greets.
Finally, a mall cinema is also in the works, offering a possibly budget-friendly option within reach for movie buffs looking to catch the latest blockbusters.
“Greenergized”
The CMCCI believes in sustainable development through “greenergizing” their products, promoting the use of resources that will help lessen energy consumption.
The project information page says that each branch of CityMall will be powered by solar panels, while they get their water from an advanced rainwater harvesting system.
This sustainable technology will make the mall much safer and more environmentally friendly.
As of June 2022, only a few stores have begun operations. These include the MerryMart, the Mi Department Store, Mr. DIY, and the food stalls on the ground floor.
You can also visit a few gadget kiosks and the arcade on the second floor.
You can visit the two other branches on Cebu island at Consolacion and Danao if you find yourself traveling north.
In the meantime, we will have to wait for this potentially groundbreaking budget-friendly shopping center to open more stores in the future. It can surely help many Filipinos by providing quality services at affordable prices in an area accessible to many.
Its distinctive design will be familiar to Cebuanos and will soon become a business center that will make many Filipinos proud.
HOW TO GET THERE
Operating Hours:
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Exact Location:
Natalio Bacalso Avenue, between Cebu South Bus Terminal and the Elizabeth Mall
JEEPNEY
If you are coming from other parts of the city, find a public utility vehicle that can take you to the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT). The mall will only be a walking distance from there.
BUS
If you are coming in from the south, you can ride a Ceres Liner or mini bus. Most of these vehicles will be going to CSBT. Buses are more convenient than jeepneys, as you do not have to take multiple rides, while taxis can be expensive. Buses are highly advantageous if you are traveling from the south.
