Realization dawns
6:00 am: I realize that the toothpaste is on the brink of extinction from its tube.
7:00 am: I realize that I have cried myself hoarse over my kilos of onion and have exhausted the onions as well as my tears. Time to renew both!
9:00 am: I realize that my wardrobe needs a revamp (Isnt it the case everyday!!) and my fav pair of shoes have breathed their last 2 days back.
12:00 pm: I realize that my best friend’s birthday is just around the corner and I haven’t yet bought any gift, leave alone a card.
3:00 pm: I realize, after my daughter calls me, that she needs some craft material for a project.
4:00 pm: I realize that Valentines day is fast approaching and its that once-in-a-year time where I need to thank him profusely for putting up with me ;) But then why is it that when it comes to my man, I just cant think beyond buying him a TV-REMOTE!!!
5:00 pm: I realize that I am getting a craving for Twix – the chocolate and caramel cookie bars.
6:00 pm: I realize that I wanted to catch hold of the latest happenings in the world of paperbacks.
7:00 pm: I realize that I just have to go to my one-stop shop, CENTRE ONE, for all the above today!!
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CENTRE ONE is a 4 –storied mall that sprawls over 1,25,000 sq ft, just a stones throw away from Vashi railway station. Next obvious question is where is Vashi? Well, its one of the important nodes which is in the heart of what we call Navi-Mumbai, the satellite twin city of Mumbai. Navi Mumbai is supposed to be a planned city, not that I agree and this calls for another review, another day, as Megha would say J. Inspite of having a state-of-art railway station, inspite of hosting an IT Park just above it, inspite of having some of the best educational institutions, inspite of having an industrial belt to its credit, Navi Mumbai can only boast of one mall as of now. This year promises to bring forth 3 more malls here, which might curb the growing discontent amongst the “livers” here whose dil maange more.
Coming back to the topic, as you approach the mall, you realise that it is not a building that stands out and stands apart. You can spot the building if you are crossing Vashi on the Mumbai-Pune highway or just as you step out of the Vashi Railway Station. There is just enough parking space outside the mall, but on weekends, Lady luck might have to smile at you for you to find an empty slot.
Crowd
The first thing that might hit you as you enter is the crowd. Well, the mood of the quality and quantity of crowd depending on the day and time you choose to visit. You would have dealt with queue for a bus, for train, at cinema halls, even at a marriage reception but at Centre One be prepared for a queue near the escalator. There you will find amused people who mistake the escalator for some ride in Esselworld and thrilled to bits trying to balance on it. In short, Centre One has become more of an outing for the people of Navi Mumbai than a shopping point. Those who can not and do not want to drive down to Mumbai find this a welcome change. If I say that 95% of the crowd comes just for window shopping, I would not be exaggerating.
Atrium
The mall, being not so big, is shaped around a central atrium. The Atrium hosts a number of activities during festive days as well as most of the weekends. Along the periphery of the atrium are a variety of shops. Leading to upper levels is only 1 escalator. Each level has a corridor that looks down upon the atrium and with ample seats for all those who have just come for time pass. There are bearable and clean toilets for the bulging bladders.
Ground Floor
Ground Floor hosts the only grocery store of the mall - Food Bazar. You will also find a MyDollar Store – that will fetch you anything “phoren” to you be it Toblerone, Twix or Mars and more and not necessarily in dollars! Then you have a 9-to-9 shop – where you get all and sundry small gifts. You also have Planet M for the music buffs, Metro Shoes, Adora (for diamonds… aaaahhh), and also a shop sporting gym equipments (pssstt I forgot the name!!). There is also a small bookshop for the lovers of papyrus.
First Floor
You may use the escalator or the lift to reach level 1. This floor is for the Adams of humanity; hence don’t be surprised if you find it less crowd. If your wallets are too full, you can empty them at Benzer for men. There are show rooms of K-Lounge, Trigger and Levis Jeans. The Pantaloons Mens section can also be visited especially during the 4-letter days… I meant during SALE. You also can shop for clothes for your little ones at 4-to-14 and Weekender Kids.
Second Floor
The most colorful floor and by now you would have guessed that this belongs to the home makers. From curtains, to imitation jewelleries, to sarees and to kidswear, you have it all. If you feel, you want to smell good, have a stroll by the shop SENSES and dab your favourite perfume on your wrist while walking away. Pantaloons Womens section occupies majority of the floor. The other shops here are ALL (for a little larger women – I would hate to be seen there!!), Roop Sangam (for sarees), Hakoba (with embroidered ensemble), Gini and Johnny (Kids wear), Spaces and Beyond (Upholster and furnishings) etc.
Third Floor
If you are tired of shopping, take a break and visit this level which is a gastronomical delight. From Noodles Bar to Bombay Blues, from Just Parathas to Subway or Chat Ghar, from Baskin and Robbins to Kulfis, you have them all. The only pain point is seating. Most of the time finding a good seat would be like playing musical chair. For children, there is a play area, Tons of Fun, with the video games and bumping cars.
Incidentally, this was the sacred floor where I got enlightened :) I met one of the star thats shining bright on MS - Daya at CCD (CCD means a lot to me now cos I also met Megha at its Delhi branch :). Both the meets (and a third with another young star, keep guessing!! :)helped me realise that stars have no airs and only aura about them in which I hope to glow and grow!!
Finally
Without digressing, let me come back. One thing which is seriously missed here is a multiplex. Nevertheless, Centre One has pushed the city (if I may call it), one step towards “shopping revolution”. With 3 more malls expected this year, we, the shoppers, look forward to some serious shopping without nudging and shoving in the crowd.
Nevertheless, happy shopping to you too, wherever you are!
