Ali Mall: First Ever Shopping Mall Makes A Comeback

Ali Mall in Araneta Center, which opened in 1976 as the country’s first ever mall, is once again the city’s “newest” shopping haven. Named after legendary boxing champion Muhammad Ali (who personally graced the opening of the mall), Ali Mall recently reopened after undergoing a major makeover that includes new state-of the-art cinemas and a new food court at the topmost floor.

To mark its soft opening last February 3, 2009, the Araneta Group management led by vice-chairman Judy Araneta-Roxas, Araneta Center Inc. chief operating officer Rene Dela Cruz, Pizza Hut Inc. chief operating officer Lars Peterson, and Uniprom Inc. chief operating officer Manny Atacador, cut the ribbon to formally open the mall’s new Food Gallery and Cineplex.

Apart from its updated interiors, new escalators have replaced stairs to provide convenient access to all floors of the mall. Lush landscaping and wider sidewalks have also been added to create a more inviting and pedestrian-friendly streetscape. Also soon to open on the second floor is a bridgeway, called “Sky Walk,” connecting Ali Mall to nearby SM Department Store. Sky Walk will house two of the metro’s most popular restaurants, Sbarro and Dulcinea.

To complement its new look, Ali Mall now also boasts of an upgraded merchandise mix as exemplified by one of its major anchors, Shoe Center, a total lifestyle outlet offering quality shoes and bags at value-friendly prices. Ali Mall is also home to some of the country’s best-known brands such as Adidas, Royal Sporting House, Plains & Prints, Folded and Hung, Marithe + Francois Girbaud, Guess, Converse, National Bookstore, Rustan’s Expresslane, and Mercury Drugstore.

Apart from world-class shopping choices, the redevelopment has also given way to more exciting dining destinations. A wide array of culinary delights continue to be one of the mall’s main attractions showcasing well-loved food chains such as Pizza Hut, Tokyo Tokyo, The Old Spaghetti House, KFC, Hap Chan, Pancake House, Max’s, and Gerry’s Grill. Ali Mall also features the newest outlet of Starbucks Coffee as well as Dairy Queen’s 500th International Store.

Indeed, Ali Mall continues to be one of the finest shopping addresses around and is now at par with the newer malls throughout the country.