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A fresh face for Beacon Plaza Mall

Renovations will include relocation of drug store

Sidney shoppers can look forward to a fresh face on Beacon Avenue.

The Beacon Plaza Mall is being renovated to allow for a new entry and an increase in floor area. The exterior will also be refreshed with the introduction of stucco panels and brick, faux windows to display heritage images of Sidney, overhead architectural elements and a glass canopy over the entrance. There will also be a new raised patio area facing Bevan Avenue, that will front a proposed restaurant.

The Shoppers Drug Mart will move and increase its floor space.

“It’s an older strip mall that hasn’t done well recently. The latest casualty is the Movie Gallery,” said architect John Keay.

The CIBC Bank and liquor store will stay in their present locations and there will be opportunities for new retail outlets in the mall.

Keay said one of the chief benefits to the renovation will be moving the utilities underground and cleaning up the exterior service areas.

“One of the big motivators on this project is improving the energy performance of the building,” said Keay. “The building has been standing since the 1960s and has uninsulated concrete walls and an uninsulated roof.”

“I welcome the investment in refurbishing one of the very visible parts of town,” said councillor Cliff McNeil-Smith.