Shoppers stormed the first shopping mall in Bulgaria’s Ruse immediately after its opening. Photo by BGNES
In a place where the least exciting activity used to be waiting for the bus, the city of Ruse has now welcomed its first ‘real’ shopping mall. It seems that the thrill of the hunt for discounted socks and trendy sweatpants was too irresistible for the locals, who stormed through the entrance like it was Black Friday in a Twilight Zone episode.
With a jaw-dropping investment of BGN 64 million (or roughly the price of a single avocado toast in today’s economy), the “Mega Mall” boasts a built-up area of 48,000 square meters. That’s right, Bulgarians now have a place to wander aimlessly while trying to locate a restroom, just like in major cities—what a thrilling upgrade!
The mall features 100 shops, which can only mean one thing: an overwhelming choice of places where you can spend your hard-earned cash on things you never knew you needed. Notable among these is the famed “Piccadilly” hypermarket, which has finally decided to grace Ruse with its presence. If you’ve ever wanted to buy a pack of instant noodles in a place that sounds like an English travel guide, your dreams have come true.
Of course, let’s not forget about the underground parking with not one, but 400 spots. I mean, who needs a nature hike when you can drive through an underground maze just to park your car? You might actually work up a sweat trying to find a space, all in the name of luxury shopping. #FirstWorldProblems, am I right?
Perched near the Danube River (because nothing says class like shopping while surrounded by flowing water), Mega Mall is a triumphant collaboration between the European Convergence Development Company Limited (ECDC)—fancy title, am I right?—and the local firm Megachim AD. Clearly, international teamwork was key in making this dreamland of consumerism come to life (and subsequently, extra credit in “Naming Firms with Impressive Acronyms”).
The cherry on top is the architectural design, brought to you by the UK firm Chapman Taylor. Next time you find yourself pondering the meaning of life, just remember that someone got paid to make a box with bright lights, where people can spend hours just deciding between two flavors of yogurt. Ah, modern architecture!
So whether you’re there for bargains or simply to bask in the glow of air conditioning while indulging in retail therapy, Ruse has officially entered the grand arena of consumerism. Is it a mall? Is it an adventure? Or is it just a new home for impulse buys? Only time will tell, but rest assured, shoppers will gladly be losing their minds—and their wallets—within these shiny, new walls.
