MOUNT Cotton Central has become a food and drink lover's paradise since the completion of development work last year.
Centre leasing manager Tony Mayfield said Supa IGA, which opened just days before Christmas to a big crowd, had reported increases in patronage while other stores like Billy's Backyard BBQ were also benefiting from the expanded premises.
Shops, including a bar and kitchen, dance studio and psychologists office, and a general practice, will fill up some of the centre's seven remaining spaces over coming months.
Mr Mayfield said the Grove Kitchen and Coffee Bar, which would occupy the 120 square metre space alongside Supa IGA, was expected to open in late September.
"They'll be a coffee shop in the morning and then as the evening comes along the bar will become more of a focal point," he said.
"There will be booth seating inside the shop and he (the owner) is considering putting charging points in for mobile phones and the like.
"There will also be high-set seating and tables in the alfresco dining space outside the front doors.
"They will cook modern Australian bistro food."
Mr Mayfield said the shop would sell Campos branded coffee.
A pass-through window would be one of the bar's main features and was likely to reduce customer waiting times and long lines inside the store during peak periods.
Construction has also begun on a dance studio, which will occupy a 180 square metre space at the back of the centre.
Mr Mayfield said the studio would be fitted out with mirrors, a dance floor, kitchen facilities and a reception desk.
It is expected to be running its first classes within two to three weeks.
A psychologist's office will fill the space left vacant by a real estate agency while Mount Cotton Medical Centre will take on a further 100 square metres of space.
Locals who lamented the loss of long-term tenants Vets by the Bay will be buoyed by confirmation of a new practice at the site, though an opening date has not been confirmed.
Billy's Backyard BBQ will soon expand its seating area.
Mr Mayfield said the childcare centre at the bottom of the shopping complex, which sits on the site of the old skating bowl, had reported an upturn in enrolments since the start of this year.
Domino's Pizza, Chemist Warehouse and Mount Cotton Seafood have moved into the complex, while long-running businesses Valley Way Pizza, Rust Hairdressing and Mount Cotton Noodle Bar continued to operate out of the original building.
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