MarketPlace Raymond Terrace is the place where everyone loves to shop in Port Stephens.
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Featuring Woolworths, BIG W, fresh and takeaway food stores, fashion, general retail, health and beauty and services the popular shopping destination lives by its slogan “Love This Place”, and the feeling is reciprocated.
“We’re very family oriented with a firm focus on community,” Centre Manager/Marketing Manager Colleen Mulholland-Ruiz said.
“All of our retailers are very involved with customers and the community, as is the Centre itself with things like our VIP Rewards Program, which enables every customer in the program to save every time they shop.”
“We also have our VIP Members Jackpot draw in the food court each Thursday where members can win big. The Jackpot went off in early October with one lucky VIP member pocketing a cool $2300. Members can also win meat trays, bread packs and gift vouchers.”
The community approach to retailing is one of the many things that sets MarketPlace apart.
“Port Stephens is a great area and we love being part of it and it being part of us,” Ms Mulholland-Ruiz said.
“We listen to what our customers want and deliver. For example, after receiving feedback over time we installed a lift for our customers’ convenience.”
In a world dominated by the online experience, MarketPlace stands up proudly in the public eye.
“We’re all competing with the online experience these days, but e-commerce doesn’t build brands, or experience – MarketPlace has all that. The meeting and greeting. Being a bit ‘old school’ is what our community appreciates and that’s what we stand for.”
The nomination this year as a finalist in the Shopping Complex or Precinct category means a lot to Ms Mulholland-Ruiz and her team.
“We show our thanks to the community in many ways, we like to get involved with the community, and to be acknowledged in return is a big thing for us and something we don’t take for granted,” she said.
A perfect example of community involvement is the annual MarketPlace Christmas event, which this year falls on Remembrance Day.
“We’re trying to highlight the day by working with the RAAF Base Williamtown who are going to bring Santa to town in a RAAF Bushmaster,” she said. “Last year we had over 20,000 people attend, and we raised money for the Leukaemia Foundation. This year it will be Legacy.
“Kids from 10 schools that we support as part of the PBL program (Positive Behaviour Learning) will perform and be acknowledged. There will be displays, free rides, Batman will be there, all the Emergency Services plus a Show N Shine. We’re taking over the sportsgrounds next to the Centre on the day.”
MarketPlace has teamed with the Department of Education as a sponsor of the PBL program.
“There are seven primary schools and two high schools involved,” Ms Mulholland-Ruiz said. “Every week, kids their teachers and principals come into the Centre and they are acknowledged for exemplary work in school or in the community.
“Another thing we do is sponsor buses to transport school kids to the Centre during Education Week over five days where we have displays and the kids sing, dance and generally entertain our customers.
“It’s just another way of bringing education out of the school yard and into the public eye where the kids can feel involved in something bigger, we all know that the children are our future.”
MarketPlace has won three times in their category over the years at the PSE awards, and Ms Mulholland-Ruiz is very humble about what that means.
“When we stand up and accept an award, it’s not just on behalf of the team, but on behalf of the community, because we feel the community is part of everything we do,” she said.
“The awards themselves highlight local business which is a great thing and provides people the opportunity to showcase their wares, network and have a lovely night.
“Win or simply be acknowledged, it’s great that the Port Stephens Examiner provides this platform for its partners because, like we say, we love this place and being part of such a great community.”