Ali Mall in Araneta Center, the Philippines’ first ever mall which opened in 1976, has recently undergone a major makeover and is now on a par with the newer malls throughout the country.

To mark its soft opening recently, the Araneta Group management led by executive vice-chair Judy Araneta-Roxas, Araneta Center Inc. chief operating officer Rene Dela Cruz, Pizza Hut Inc. chief operating officer Lars Peterson, and Uniprom Inc. chief operating officer Manny Atacador cut the ribbon to formally open the mall’s new Food Gallery and Cineplex. Apart from its updated interiors, new escalators have replaced stairs to provide convenient access to all floors of the mall. Lush landscaping and wider sidewalks have also been added to create a more inviting and pedestrian-friendly streetscape. Also in the works is a bridgeway on the second floor that will connect Ali Mall to nearby SM Department Store.

To complement its new look, Ali Mall now also boasts of an upgraded merchandise mix as exemplified by one of its major anchors, Shoe Center, a total lifestyle outlet offering quality shoes and bags at value-friendly prices. Ali Mall is also home to some of the country’s best-known brands such as Adidas, Royal Sporting House, Plains & Prints, Folded and Hung, Marithe Francois Girbaud, Guess, Converse, National Bookstore, Rustan’s Expresslane, and Mercury Drug.

A wide array of culinary delights continue to be one of the mall’s main attractions showcasing well-loved food chains such as Pizza Hut, Tokyo Tokyo, The Old Spaghetti House, KFC, Hap Chan, Pancake House, Max’s, and Gerry’s Grill. Ali Mall also features the newest outlet of Starbucks Coffee as well as Dairy Queen’s 500th International Store.