One year ago, the Peninsula Promenade felt like an abandoned mall. Now, it is being revived.
The Promenade used to be the heart of the community and a spot for the locals to walk around or eat. Everything was going well until the pandemic hit.
The Promenade lost the spark it once had as stores closed due to quarantine, online shopping and DoorDash.
The diner Good Stuff has been there to see it all.
“A lot of regulars come in every single day, so we’ve built a good foundation through that, [but] we’ve seen some kind of a slowdown a little bit,” a Good Stuff Manager said.
Many locals would pass without stopping, and the area felt lifeless and forgotten.
Everything began to change when Mochinut, a trendy spot serving mochi donuts and corndogs, opened its doors. Its fun concept and delicious food brought fresh energy to the Promenade and gathered more visitors.
This marked the beginning of a positive shift, but still the Promenade was not how it used to be.
Recently in 2024, new shops have created a remarkable transformation. Over eight new shops and restaurants have opened including Pho Redbo, misc.coffee and more.
“Ever since the new places at the Promenade have opened, I’ve been going there more often,” sophomore Sloane Hollingshead said.
Many students see potential in the new Promenade.
“I think these new stores are really opening up new opportunities for kids and for people our age, like high schoolers, to hang out,” sophomore Jake Ward said.
The Promenade decided to take a different approach by catering to a younger generation.
New locations like Sky Photo, a fun photobooth place, or ZenesisX Gaming Lounge, a gaming arcade, are great spots for teens and children.
It doe not stop there.The Promenade is expecting Dilly D’s Delicious Burgers,Terra Mia Woodfire Pizza, Riiya Noodle House, Asian Bites, Level Up Bowl & Bistro and more restaurants coming soon.
Now, the Peninsula Promenade is buzzing with anticipation and activity.
In just a few short years, the Peninsula Promenade has gone from being a quiet, under-visited spot to a vibrant and thriving community.
Thanks to the successful openings, along with the exciting new businesses on the way, the Promenade is once again a place where people gather and enjoy themselves.