Decades of milestones, traditions

Sta. Lucia East Mall provides avenues to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the area.

A home of heritage and tradition, Sta. Lucia East Mall has been the pride of the East for over two decades.

Serving as witness to many celebrations and milestones since 1991, this shopping center—located at the intersection of Marikina-Infanta Highway (Marcos Highway) and Felix Avenue in Cainta, Rizal—has played quite a significant role in shaping the retail landscape in the eastern side of the metro.

“When we opened in the mall in the early ’90s, we’ve given the people from this side of the metro a place to shop, celebrate and bond. A pioneer in the area, we have somewhat pivoted the growth of the retail industry in this side of town and have provided a venue where people can relax and unwind,” said Sta. Lucia Land Inc. president Exequiel Robles.

And the continuous improvements being made at the Sta. Lucia East Mall have benefited many of the residents within Marikina, Pasig and Rizal as they were given an establishment that can cater to their every need and whim— whether in terms of retail, dining  or entertainment options.

“We understand the Filipinos’ love for dining and entertainment, and what we’ve been giving at the Sta. Lucia Mall is something that could best suit their needs. As the very first large-scale mall to rise in Cainta, Rizal, we continue to evolve and to provide the community and the neighboring areas more exciting options year after year,” said Sta. Lucia East Mall vice president for operations Zaldy Santos.

“Being a pioneer and being attuned to the needs of the market, we were able to provide more than just dining and entertainment options. We also provide avenues through which we can further promote and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the area,” Santos explained.

What thus started as a simple goal—which is to address the retail, dining and entertainment needs of the residents in Rizal and surrounding communities—has now resulted in a bustling, thriving mall that is also a significant contributor to the recurring income portfolio of the Sta. Lucia group.

Today, Sta. Lucia Mall has been expanded into three interconnected buildings to ensure that all market segments are covered. Meanwhile, a fourth building called il Centro, which is still connected to the main mall via a covered bridgeway, has also been recently added.

From the initial pronouncements that “It’s Everything Under the Sun” to “Getting Bigger and Better” in 1995, the mall then became the “Pride of the East.” With the surge of competition within the area, Sta. Lucia Mall has, without a doubt, withstood the test of time.

“It’s the diverse mix of tenants, crowd-drawing entertainment and promotional activities, superior customer service and the promise of providing the best facilities for its loyal patrons that allowed Sta. Lucia Mall to remain relevant despite the rise of competition,” Santos noted.

“But more than being a mall that offers everything that a shopper needs, Sta. Lucia Mall is a ‘Mall of Tradition’ as it managed to keep alive various cultural activities and religious practices,” he added.

Meanwhile, the emergence of new competitors presented a big challenge for the mall and its officials. But as with any business, Santos believes that it’s this stiff competition that kept them on their toes and allowed them to level up their game to better serve the market.

Today, Sta. Lucia East mall celebrates its 27 strong years of providing quality fun and entertainment to its clientele through a barrel of activities lined up for the whole day.

Sta. Lucia East Mall has again proven why it has remained relevant and a favored destination  for many Rizaleños. Its 27 glorious years are a testament to its strong foothold of the market and adept understanding of the market it has pledged to serve.