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| The bright facade of Newstar Shopping Center at night |
In the summer of 2015 if my memory serves me right, an old commercial
building situated within the vicinity of the public market in downtown Lipa
City was engulfed into flames from the inside. Although there was no one hurt
in that incident and it happened during sunrise, hundreds of bystanders have
witnessed its demise especially the small and steady businesses that have come
and gone through the years.
Fast forward to more than two years later, what was once a burning
rubble has been given a second life and is slated to become downtown's newest shopping
star. The management behind Southern's Twin Supermart has acquired the property
of the old commercial building from its former owners and transformed it into a
three-storey Newstar Shopping Center which is, in fact, the second of its kind
in the city considering that its first branch is in the second floor of Southern's
Twin Supermart I building.
On the outside, you would think that it looks like a shopping mall only
to be hindered by a baggage counter on the side. But what you will see on the
inside is a department store offering a wide variety of high-quality items at
convincing prices depending on one's budget. These items range from electronics
to home furnishings, from kitchen tools to toys, and even apparel for all ages
and genders. I recommend you not to capture your shopping experience moments
inside due to the center's strict regulations.
The best thing about shopping at Newstar is when you're done. Anyone who
completes his or her shopping list there can either buy groceries at Southern's
Twin Supermart II, take a brunch at the Lipa Commercial Center Food Court in front
of the supermarket, or even both. This will make you feel like you have an enjoyable
downtown shopping experience anew. Anyway, Newstar has already proved its
ground as one of Lipa City's hidden gems to try out based on its consistent
reception from the shopping public which is quite overwhelming to say the least.
