Shopping malls also known as the shopping centers or shopping plazas, is a collection of individual stores, services, Business hubs and parking area, which is constructed and managed by different management firm. The modern shopping complex also consist of the restaurant, bank, movie hall, offices and different service station as well.
While looking back to the history of the shopping malls, the outdoor shopping mall started in California in 1950s, but the indoor shopping malls, which we think of today, began in 1956 with the south dale center in Edina, Minnesota.The concept of the shopping malls has changed quite a lot with new innovation, which can be seen in the modern shopping centers. Beginning, strictlywith retail shopping focused, later from 1980’s the shopping malls began to incorporate features like restaurant, food courts, and movie theaters, turning them from a purely shopping experience into community center where people gather not only to shop but for cultural and social interaction. And the shopping malls are constructed in the wide area to entertain all the needs of the people under a single roof. The largest shopping mall in the world is massive Iran Mall, located in Northwest Tehran. This huge structure covers a total area of around 21 million leasable square feet. It’s a commercial, cultural, and social hub that includes commercial spaces including retail outlets, cultural facilities, recreational areas, a hotel, and some parking spaces.
Similarly, the concept of the shopping center, began with the establishment of the Bhatbateni supermarket which offers the wide range of the products ranging from groceries and fresh product, cosmetic and toiletries and many more. As for shopping complex, Bishal bazar is the oldest shopping mall in Nepal which was established in 2026 BS. And the biggest shopping complex is Chaya center, spread over an area of 86000sq ft, which houses 200 retail store representing various international and local brands.
Chhaya center started its operation in 2018, which features different clothing stores, corporate offices, entertainment sectorsand various eateries and restaurants. This shopping mall is a great place for any events like concert, organizational events, social and religious functions, fitness workshops, because of the spacious courtyard. It is also being a popular place for shooting music videos and short TikTok videos. So, Chhaya center is one of the kind of the Shopping mall build in Nepal.