What’s fresh and familiar at the same time? Shangri-La Plaza has a good variety of new stores, and old favorites that’ll take you down memory lane.
The past meets the present at the new United Colors of Benetton store. Yes, the iconic fashion brand from the ‘90s is back, still as colorful and casually chic as ever but with even more pop and playfulness this time.
You’ll find all the classic pieces that made the brand a household name as well as new lines of shirts, bottoms, bags, and accessories. And coming very soon: the Casa Benetton line of textile products for the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.
For kids, there’s the new LEGO flagship store. You’ll find everything from Disney and Pixar to the Architecture and Technique lines to Harry Potter and Marvel. Heck, you can even find BTS. Being one of the largest Lego stores in the country, the new shop has interactive spaces where you can flex your creative building skills including creating your own mini-figure.
National Bookstore completes Shang’s terrific trio of old-made-new. The iconic shop has relocated beside Mercury at the east side of the original mall. The store occupies a smaller space but still carries all the essentials including foreign and local bestselling books. Perhaps its best feature, especially for customers who were in school from the ‘70s to the ‘90s, is that certain “bookstore” scent. You’ll know it the moment you step into the store and it just might transport you back to your school years.
Speaking of school, one of music superstar Rihanna’s latest fashion offerings would definitely make for a sensation on campus, or any location, really. The Fenty x Puma Avanti shoes, available exclusively at the Puma shop at the Shang, is an eye-catching football-style footwear with an outsize fold-over tongue, gum outsole, and a leather footbed. Available in black and in silver and in adult and kids sizes, the unisex kicks can be worn for sports or just for pure aesthetics as a fashion statement of hipness and cool.
On the other end of the fashion spectrum are the exquisite formalwear for various occasions by top Filipino designer to the stars Francis Libiran, now available in his first boutique outside of his atelier. Currently on display are dozens of stunning wedding gowns and suits featuring gorgeous architectural elements, sumptuous fabrics, and intricate designs. The store has several large dressing rooms for fittings and to get measurements for custom-designed pieces and carries a selection of accessories for both men and women.
Need wine for your wedding, or any other occasion? The Shang also has that covered at Wine Story. Red wines, white wines, champagne, sparkling wines, sweet wines, fortified wines, if you can name it, the store’s wide selection probably has it. There are even large format wines.
Intoxicated with all these exciting shopping possibilities yet? Time to turn your attention to the mall’s newest dining offerings. For breakfast, or merienda, there’s Bake House and its flavorful and hearty croissants, quiche, pides, and whole cakes, all made with natural and trans-fat-free ingredients. For lunch, or dinner, there’s Bulgogi Brothers and its mouthwatering bulgogi and Korean barbecue.
For merienda, or breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there’s Raging Bull Burgers and its menu of tummy-filling burgers with succulent Australian or American beef patties. And for coffee or light snacks in between, there’s Department of Coffee and its Filipino brews, served hot or cold, and Muji Cafè and its teas and other cold drinks.
What are you waiting for? Get your fill of fresh and familiar at the Shang now. Thank us later.
