This 70s themed mural, designed to commemorate 50 years of business, can be found inside the LloydMall. The mall is hosting a birthday party on July 20 that will include member cars of the Just Kruzin’ Car Club as well as a barbecue by grill masters from the Lloydminster Rescue Squad. Jeannette Benoit-Leipert Meridian Source
LloydMall is throwing a birthday party, and everyone is invited.
The popular shopping destination turns 50 on July 20.
Although the LloydMall has grown and evolved over the years, some things haven’t changed, especially when it comes to community-mindedness.
“We always tried to be involved in things that are happening in the community—supporting the various non-profit groups, the schools, the hospital … anything like that,” said LloydMall general manager Kim Richer.
“We’ve kind of been the hub of the community, as the meeting place, and we’ve been trying to build on that the last few years. Doing things like the Wild Rose amusements, and right now we have food trucks coming onto the property for the summer, and just doing things to invite the community to the mall.”
The LloydMall has come a long way since its grand opening in July 1973, when the biggest retailer in the building was The Bay.
“The Bay used to be on both ends of the mall, so then they became Zellers and, Safeway, Sears, Shopper’s Drug Mart. So those were our big big tenants and then with everything that happened with Zellers and Sears, we were able to expand the mall to make a bigger Safeway, a bigger Shopper’s Drug Mart,” said Richer.
“Then we were able to carve up the inside of the mall to bring in more fashion retailers—some more national names like Bath and Body Works and La Vie En Rose and what not. And then over the years Dollarama came, and Urban Planet.”
But the evolution doesn’t stop there. The LloydMall has a new fashion retailer moving in this fall.
“We’re able to announce it now—it is Maurice’s. They are hoping to open sometime in October,” said Richer.
There are many incentives to come down to the LloydMall on July 20 between noon and 5 p.m.
“The first 100 people that purchase a $100 LloydMall gift card get it for $73. The Just Kruzin’ Car Club is going to be set up on our lot with their older vehicles. I think the rescue squad’s going to bring out some of their vehicles as well because the kids always like to look at the emergency vehicles, so I think it’ll just be a fun afternoon for everyone,” said Richer.
Members of the Lloydminster Rescue Squad will be on site grilling burgers for hungry patrons.
“Hopefully people will come down and support the rescue squad. We’re paying for everything (for the BBQ), 100 per cent of the proceeds go to them. So, keeping in that ’73 theme, we’re doing two burgers and a pop for $7.30, and that’s cash only.”
They’ve also added an interesting piece of art into the food court area to mark their 50th year.
“We’ve had Iron Jet design a mural for us on the wall and it’s very 70s themed. We really wanted to amp up the fact the mall was opened in 1973, so that kind of brings you down nostalgia lane and it’s a fun little retro design,” said Richer.
“People can come and take a picture of themselves in front of that wall and post it on our social media pages and be entered to win a $73 LloydMall gift card.”
The mall will even feature sounds from 50 years ago.
“We’ll have a DJ here that’s going to be playing 70s music all day for us, so I think it will be fun.”
Richer said they are encouraging mall tenants to decorate their stores with a 70s theme in mind, and even dress the part.
“Some of the fashion from the 70s have come back, so some of the stores have fashions that kind of remind you of 70s fashion. Might see some John Travoltas out there,” Richer laughed.
