A single scoop from this ice cream haven decades ago was enough to put a twinkle on every child’s eyes. It was a habit too hard to break then and yet too sinful to indulge in.
From the many peach melbas, banana split, shakes and ice cream cakes it served, the Magnolia Ice Cream House in Quezon City no doubt brought smiles and priceless memories to all its patrons.
And while the old Magnolia Ice Cream House is no longer there for this generation to experience, a new structure promises to continue bringing picture perfect moments, to make those eyes twinkle again.
Relaxing ambiance
Located in the bustling corner of Aurora Boulevard and Hemady Street near New Manila, the recently opened Robinsons Mall Magnolia provides mall goers the relaxing ambience of an outdoor setting and the cool comforts of sleek interior spaces.
Inside, the mall boasts a grand entrance lobby and spacious hallways that lead to a four-level al fresco area that overlooks The Plaza, a lushly landscaped open space dotted with water features and an area for live entertainment.
The Plaza is also where the new Ice Cream House can be found, serving the same old concoctions that we so love.
Frederick Go, president and chief operating officer of Robinsons Land Corp., pointed out as well that Robinsons Mall Magnolia is a “very environmentally friendly mall and a green building.”
Go explained: “We have many firsts in our building [Robinsons Magnolia]. We actually collect rainwater here and recycle it. We also recycle treated water from our STP (sewage treatment plant) and as you can see, we have incorporated many features that make it a green building such as skylights. We have curtains that roll down to block out the heat.”
The 42,000-square-meter multistory Robinsons Mall Magnolia is the 32nd shopping mall of the Gokongwei-led RLC. It is Wi-Fi enabled and PWD-friendly (people with disability); and has babycare facilities, a customer pay lounge, valet service, and monitored taxi service. A concierge facility is also on hand to provide the best customer service.
It also houses a distinct variety of shops and dining places.
“We have a wonderful tenant mix,” Go said.
True enough, the mall has international brands on the house including Topshop/Topman, Mango, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Muji, Warehouse, Anne Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Fred Perry, Lacoste, Penguin, Perry Ellis, Ecco, Nine West, Promod and Miss Sixty. High street staples such as Gap, Cotton On, Aeropostale, Springfield, Cache Cache, Superga and Steve Madden can also be found in the Robinsons Mall Magnolia.
Dining experience
Gastronomic dining experience also awaits mall goers as Robinsons Magnolia will have some of the country’s best restaurants such as Tao Yuan, Thai Bistro, Conti’s, UCC, Sumosam, Clawdaddy, New Orleans, Elias, Uncle Cheffy, and Buffet 101, while shops such as Patchi, Red Mango, Happy Lemon, Mary Grace and Jamba Juice will surely satisfy the craving of every dessert lover.
What may be the most remarkable in the four-story Robinsons Magnolia is that it features what RLC claims to be the “fanciest food court in the metro that features island-type food stalls with open kitchens.”
Hobbyists, meanwhile, may find what they need from the different shops like True Value, Gourdo’s, Bow and Wow, Power Mac Center. For entertainment, there’s a Tom’s World and Gymboree for kids, and four digital cinemas that are easily accessible from the mall’s al fresco area.
The mall also has Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Department Store and Robinsons Appliance.
Following the opening of the Robinsons Magnolia, Go said RLC is set to open a few more malls in other key areas such as Butuan, Malolos, Antipolo, Las Piñas and Malabon.