Free promotional gifts, coffee, snacks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony were all part of the celebration when Woodgrove Centre opened its new customer service centre Thursday.
The new centre is the first milestone of the shopping centre's ongoing $20-million renovation, said Julia Dow, Woodgrove general manager.
The new centre, located in the northwest end of the mall, replaces the customer service kiosk that was located in the food court.
"We have 1,700 square feet of premium, sophisticated space from where we'll be able to provide the best customer service," Dow said.
The new space will offer children's strollers, gift wrapping, a coat and parcel check, a water bottle refilling station and a portable phone charging station.
"That will be where you take a unit with you shopping and it can charge your phone while you shop, so that's coming soon as well," Dow said.
The customer service centre will also provide free wifi and a lounge area.
Ongoing developments at the shopping centre include an open space where the water clock, a central feature of the shopping centre for nearly 30 years, was located.
The clock's former location is getting new flooring and lighting and will be used as an area for hosting events in the mall. Woodgrove will host a series of Science World shows at the space Monday to Friday (March 14-18).
"Currently the water clock remains in storage and we continue to be open to discussing possibilities with anybody who shows any interest," Dow said.