Ideas for what Canberra shopping centres do need

What Canberra shopping centres need… is an Ikea! Then I won’t have to drive for hours to buy a particular bookcase only to find they haven’t GOT ANY and so have to settle for buying an overpriced bundle of sticks instead. (don’t ask). Bloody Ikea.

They are soon to ruin lonsdale st with taller buildings with accomodation on top and shops below. But it is nice now.

The shops at Gungahlin that are all outside along the main st are also nice. It is lovely to be outside shopping instead of stuck in sterile city in the mall.

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

{cue insecure men and accusations about sexism in five, four, three…oh, you’re here}

Straight to the poolroom! 🙂

Feathergirl said :

Oooh and I had another cafe idea where everything is $2. So like little snacks for $2, like a sushi-train type thing maybe, only with slices of watermellon, cups of jelly, cheese on toast, $2 worth of hot chips, little chicken soups etc. Snacks that cost $2 and you take as much or as little as you like. What do you think?

If I were knocked up and in third trimester, this is EXACTLY what I would like! Actually, my four year old would love it too. Would probably be popular for people who just need a quick energy hit in their mall-marathon shopping trip too, or for teenagers after school.

I was at Bateman’s Bay on the weekend and there was a shopping centre that was more like a pedestrian mall, except that there were extended roof awnings on the shops that met in the middle, made with clear plastic in places so it let in the sunshine but not the rain. It was quite pleasant, even though it was still in a mall.

I’d like to see more retail spaces like Lonsdale Street in Braddon, where retailers have more freedom to experiment and find out what consumers respond to. I like stepping out in the air between shops, it’s not so claustrophobic. But I think Lonsdale Street could be improved by reducing the through traffic – not sure how to do that, I’m not suggesting it become a pedestrian mall as it’s convenient to park right outside a shop (especially if it’s TJs and you need your bike fixed). But maybe get rid of the centre bit and make the footpaths wider? So cafes and bars are more pleasant for sitting outside.

Feathergirl said :

Peter H – I do have a lovely partner who DOES put body butter on my tummy. I am a lucky girl.

P.S. My brother is a “Peter H” too so when ever I read one of your comments I think of him, it makes me smile.

good luck with the birth. i hope all goes well.

Particularly as jumpers are so often only partially successful. Messy, loud and horrid.

Head first, not heels first!

Jim Jones said :

Yeah, I remember that Jakez. The missus knew her.

Nasty business. I’ve had some strange meetings this morning with people talking about public suicides at universities (apparently it’s not uncommon for aggrieved academics to make public plunges from large buildings surrounded by small crowds).

Suicide is always bad, but public suicide is just that much worse.

… hence the booth.

Ahh I see now. Yes public suicides are more common than people think (mainly because they aren’t reported on usually so that people don’t get ideas). Pretty bad stuff to deal with.

Peter H – I do have a lovely partner who DOES put body butter on my tummy. I am a lucky girl.

P.S. My brother is a “Peter H” too so when ever I read one of your comments I think of him, it makes me smile.

Mr_Shab said :

And FWIW, a men-only club would only be worthwhile if I was allowed to wear tweed, sit in leather armchairs, drink single malt scotch, smoke cigars, play cards, talk about the fortunes of the Empire and plan my latest expedition on the veldt.

Who’s coming with me?

I’m in.

In fact you’ve made me rather homesick now.

Hehe, I like stirring the controversy pot. Grundy I was thinking cosplay when I wanted a little dress-ups in my ladies club too 🙂 Not everyday, but just some days.

Blokes you are all welcome to my imaginary cafe, and as owner I’ll even give you an imaginary lunch for free (if you mention RiotACT).

I was thinking about those men’s sheds when I wrote about my ladies club idea. I thought, “I’d like something like that for ladies” somewhere far from the crowds.

Whenever I type the word “ladies” I think of the trannies in “Little Brittan”!

Oooh and I had another cafe idea where everything is $2. So like little snacks for $2, like a sushi-train type thing maybe, only with slices of watermellon, cups of jelly, cheese on toast, $2 worth of hot chips, little chicken soups etc. Snacks that cost $2 and you take as much or as little as you like. What do you think?

peterh said :

I want somewhere where my kids get to have fun in a safe, controlled environment, whilst i hunt down and find bargains for the christmas period (under duress, I might add, with a list)

Online shopping: the only way to go.

poptop said :

There are men’s clubs all over the place, but probably fewer in Canberra; although the ACT Government is funding the establishment and running of all those Men’s Sheds so you can go and do men’s stuff.

Clubs like the Athenaeum are still going in lots of Capital cities.

But hey, the Government of Australia advises the UN that it does not accept the application of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women [CEDAW] “in so far as it would require alteration of Defence Force policy which excludes women from combat duties”. I don’t see to many of us women arguing for that right too often.

the commonwealth club was one of the last bastions of a gentleman’s club. now, women are invited to join, but I believe it is extremely difficult to get in, male or female. Personally, I can’t see the point.

I want somewhere where my kids get to have fun in a safe, controlled environment, whilst i hunt down and find bargains for the christmas period (under duress, I might add, with a list)

Yeah, I remember that Jakez. The missus knew her.

Nasty business. I’ve had some strange meetings this morning with people talking about public suicides at universities (apparently it’s not uncommon for aggrieved academics to make public plunges from large buildings surrounded by small crowds).

Suicide is always bad, but public suicide is just that much worse.

… hence the booth.

…so I guess what I’m really saying is that they don’t need suicide booths, they already have suicide platforms.

Well, I suppose you could class that waste of space elevator there the booth. Delivers you right to the jumping platform.

So what are you talking about Jim – eh?! There already is a suicide booth there. Just one that needs to be shared ;P

Jim Jones said :

The Belconnen Mall needs to install suicide booths.

Well actually my mum was on the ground floor near that spiral staircase the day some crazy woman jumped off the top floor. She landed about 10 metres away from my mother. Quite traumatic apparently. This was 6 or so years ago and she still hasn’t been back to that part of the mall. It took 3 years for her to go to any part of Belconnen Mall.

…so I guess what I’m really saying is that they don’t need suicide booths, they already have suicide platforms.

There are men’s clubs all over the place, but probably fewer in Canberra; although the ACT Government is funding the establishment and running of all those Men’s Sheds so you can go and do men’s stuff.

Clubs like the Athenaeum are still going in lots of Capital cities.

But hey, the Government of Australia advises the UN that it does not accept the application of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women [CEDAW] “in so far as it would require alteration of Defence Force policy which excludes women from combat duties”. I don’t see to many of us women arguing for that right too often.

i have been to kidcity in mitchell, but it is a big kiddy play centre with a fairly average cafe. order at the counter, eat in the noisy barn if you can find a plastic chair type place.

i’d be more interested in a real cafe, with a kiddy focus.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

I don’t have a problem with women’s only facilities, just as I don’t have a problem with men’s only facilities. What I do have a problem with is people who think it’s fine for women to have their own space, but bleat when men want a chick free area.

Amen.

And yes, I am against both female only gyms and male only clubs which still exist. If there is a senario where one gender perfers to use a specific service over the other then so be it, but it shouldn’t be policy.

Against them in that you don’t like them and don’t think they should exist as a matter of taste, or against them as in you don’t think it should be a legal possibility?

…and mandate their use.

The Belconnen Mall needs to install suicide booths.

And FWIW, a men-only club would only be worthwhile if I was allowed to wear tweed, sit in leather armchairs, drink single malt scotch, smoke cigars, play cards, talk about the fortunes of the Empire and plan my latest expedition on the veldt.

Who’s coming with me?

Travelators everywhere!
And slides instead of ‘down’ escalators!
And trampoline flooring in every store!

Now that would be awesome.

Skid – I think some of the lodges are letting ladies in nowadays. God knows why they’d want in; but that’s not for me to say.

Feathergirl suggested that while the club would be aimed at women, men could also attend. What is controversial about that? I believe that lingerie, handbag and perfume shops etc apply similar principles.

While I don’t think that I would willingly visit such a place, I don’t begrudge women (or men for that matter) the opportunity to target consumers based on their gender.

I’d be surpised if there weren’t still some men only organisations still around.

Aren’t Masonic Lodges also men only?

> was referring to the olde mens’ clubs that used to exist.

Actually, I believe my own father is a (recent) member of a Canberra Lions club that is STILL men only! Shocked me big time to learn that this still happened.

Canberra shopping centres need to turf out those bloody vendors that continuously try to push their overpriced hair salon crap onto us. My girlfriends and I were abused by one of the guys in Woden Westfield for not being interested in his crap today >:|

I was referring to the olde mens’ clubs that used to exist. I don’t think they exist any more (although I was a member of a club at university that women were not allowed to join). The only other chick free area is the boy’s dunnies.

In a practical sense, there’s no place for exclusion based on gender in the modern world other than for sanitary purposes.

but bleat when men want a chick free area

Maybe I lead a sheltered life – but I can’t remember the last time I heard men wanting a “chick free area” or wanting “mens only” anything really. Can you enlighten us sheltered folk?

> Oh $hit – I think I used an apostrophe incorrectly!

To the gallows with you!

What’s this “chick free area” you speak of? I’d prefer an area filled with women, just no other men. 🙂

Oh $hit – I think I used an apostrophe incorrectly!

I don’t have a problem with women’s only facilities, just as I don’t have a problem with men’s only facilities. What I do have a problem with is people who think it’s fine for women to have their own space, but bleat when men want a chick free area.

*Snicker* 😉

If you start a cosplay cafe in Canberra, I’ll bring all my friends . . . every week! Just next to Impact Comix would be the ideal location.

Lots more fun than Koko Black!

poptop said :

Unbelievably Jealous!!!1! Was it as fun as they look?

Was AWESOME!

Even convinced Mrs G to get a ‘costume’ as well! 😉

grundy said :

Was there in April poptop. 😉

Unbelievably Jealous!!!1! Was it as fun as they look?

As a matter of principle, I agree that gendered clubs are wrong. More generally, when people can interact like civilized adults, then the issues around the various exclusions will probably drop away.

What about a shop for those little helicopters that are always on sale in the middle of the isles. They could also have an obstacle course to fly around and competitions.

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

{cue insecure men and accusations about sexism in five, four, three…oh, you’re here}

Not really. Reverse sexism is completely accepted and will only get worse unless us men say “no, sexism in any form is still sexism”.

And yes, I am against both female only gyms and male only clubs which still exist. If there is a senario where one gender perfers to use a specific service over the other then so be it, but it shouldn’t be policy.

What Feathergirl seems to want is a quiet haven within the maelstrom that is mall shopping.

…and apparently only Mums to be the one who look after the kids during the day. What about the Dads who stay at home looking after the little ones?

I think the underlining tone thathas raised comments is about “exclusion”. These days, it only seems to be women wanting exclusion – not the blokes.

poptop said :

I don’t recall you all leaping on the PC bandwagon when there have been wildly inappropriate RiotACT posts about the objectivisation of women so let’s not get to precious about playing the discrimination card on this topic. It’s a fantasy.

It is a fantasy, but I think that if some of the malls had a similar concept open to parents and grandparents, where the littlies could be left whilst you were shopping, I would pay money for the privilege to do it. Or if i could enjoy a cappuccino without being badgered for the froth, the sugar or the entire thing, it would make shopping much more enjoyable.

at least they wouldn’t see my evil side come out when trying to get their present. I could have it gift wrapped, in the trolley and they would be none the wiser.

there aren’t these venues yet. But maybe one day…

I hope feathergirl has someone to rub her feet at the end of the day, or rub some body butter into her belly. I saw it as a small price to pay, considering the hell my wife went through the second time around with twins.

pregnancy in summer (it is summer, isn’t it??) is apparently very uncomfortable.

Was there in April poptop. 😉

And I was serious, I actually did like her idea.
I think Mrs G would really enjoy something like that while I go running around JB/DickSmith/Any other techie/gadget store….

This poor girl is waddling round heavy with child and probably addled with the hormones racing around her system (I could barely remember how to spell my name, some days) – let’s not chide her for being a little unselective in her language.

I don’t recall you all leaping on the PC bandwagon when there have been wildly inappropriate RiotACT posts about the objectivisation of women so let’s not get to precious about playing the discrimination card on this topic. It’s a fantasy.

What Feathergirl seems to want is a quiet haven within the maelstrom that is mall shopping. It was going to be girly, with dainty meals and comfy chairs and gossipy mags and chocolate and ruffles and gingham (I imagine foot massages too).

Boys are allowed, provided they play nice and don’t expect manly things.

Grundy needs to go to Japan – they have those cosplay cafes!

Don’t be scared away by the harsh comments Feathergirl. I actually liked your idea!

I’d love a cafe were the waitresses dressed up in manga style maid/nurse/easter bonnet outfits! 😀

My suggested improvements:

Sprog-check: Your foul urchins restrained and sedated for the duration of your shopping trip.
Crowd control: Security personnel with cattle prods to break up any snarls caused by morons congregating in thoroughfares.
Reality: You’re not going to get an 8 buck lunch and take as long as you want yakking with your gal-pals. You’ll have to pay for that privelage, Feathergirl.

There should just be a men’s cafe as well:

with big armchairs for waiting for the womenfolk to make up their minds what they want, beer on tap, LCDs with Sports playing, and waitresses with themed outfits…

Oh wait… all we really need is to move the shopping centres so that they’re built around a pub!

Agree with you on the kids thing, Roma… I nice place to sit, drink coffee, and not have to deal with children would be lovely.

sepi, there are a couple of venues targeted at kids and parents. The problem is that all but one are in locations away from shopping.

The ones i know of are:

Fun Factory: Kambah – cafe for a good coffee / food, kids food and large area for play.
Kid’s Rampage: Tuggeranong Square – cafe for a good coffee, kids food and medium sized area for play.
Kid City: Mitchell: cafe for a good coffee / food, kids food and massive area for play.

I cannot remember the name of the one at brand depot, but it is really great. The tour we took was awesome. the kids loved it.

I would prefer a place like these existing ones that caters for parents. not male, not female, but parents. Where you could go to have a cuppa, wear the kids out by letting them run around, leave them if it is an option provided, do the shopping, pick em up and go home.

I thought it would be nice to have a women’s club/cafe at one of the centres.

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one struck by this. I remember back to the not so distant past when there was (was it the Commonwealth Club?) and the rage that women were not allowed in.

But I suppose a little point equalising is conducive to evening out the score, even if it is 15 or 20 years later – with sex equality and all. Will the waitresses need help lifting those heavy cast iron tables and kegs – or just have a couple of hefty German beer maids for the heavy work?

I wouldn’t call it insecure…I’d call it WTF.

> I love how quickly the men jump to whining about feeling excluded. And yet women who complain about sexist behaviour are dismissed as whingers

Don’t put words into my mouth. I don’t like sexism…whichever way it’s directed.

OK – I”m now thinking that ‘Bobby McGees’ restaurant under the Lakeside that used to have dressed up waiters who sang to their tables would make a great ‘kiddie theme restaurant’.

Canberra does desperately need a cafe that is small children friendly.
It is a goldmine waiting to happen for someone to start one up.

I’d have booth seats so the littlies can’t escape. A tiny playground area, highchairs available, kiddie menu (nuggets etc), but also real food for the parents.

Somebody please start one up!!

– I love how quickly the men jump to whining about feeling excluded. And yet women who complain about sexist behaviour are dismissed as whingers. I think this imaginary place is themed primarily for women as it is feathergirl’s own fantasy shop. Feel free to have your own fantasies….

{cue insecure men and accusations about sexism in five, four, three…oh, you’re here}

harvyk1 said :

Why aim it at only women? I know you have said that men could also attend the women’s club, but why have gender play any part of the role of the “club”.

Us blokes from time to time also need to go shopping, we hate standing around just as much as the women, and would you believe, us men from time to time also have to look after our small children without the child’s mother there?

When shopping, I find that the parent’s room is a safe haven for other dads. seriously, if you want to try pre-christmas shopping madness with a 3yo and twin 18mo’s bolted into a pram, and no mummy in sight, go right ahead. I did my christmas shopping months ago.

on my own.

A place to go and let the kids run around and around and around whilst you shop is great. Ikea has one. Brand Depot now has one. The other shopping centres should have one as well. This would also solve the littlies at knee height, designed to trip up people who aren’t used to walking with one eye cast down, to avoid toddlers, as mentioned on another earlier post on RA.

and don’t women have the women’s clubs that are built into some of the gyms in the malls around canberra?

where are the men’s clubs?

if there was one, the discrimination champions would be over it like a rash…

Why aim it at only women? I know you have said that men could also attend the women’s club, but why have gender play any part of the role of the “club”.

Us blokes from time to time also need to go shopping, we hate standing around just as much as the women, and would you believe, us men from time to time also have to look after our small children without the child’s mother there?

I couldn’t read past “women’s club/cafe” sorry….sexist rubbish.

An excellent idea.

And it should extend to clubs/pubs as in days gone by. Ladies not allowed in the bar (or kids) but they can sit in the Ladies Lounge and sip shandies until the old man needs a lift home.

I’m all for it!

I vote for the above, minus the kids.

Oh, and minus the waitresses dresseed up. I think waitresses have it hard enough without having to dress up in themey outfits 😉