Simon K.
Yelp
The one thing that has always been perceived is that Oakridge is in some ways an Elitest, High End mall, known for being located in an area that is filled with over million dollar houses and expensive shops this mall definitely carries a reputation. In some ways Oakridge also has an identity crisis, of having some real high end shops, and some shops, or stores that just don't mesh with what their 'vision' if you call it that..... actually is.
This is one of those malls that has never really grown in size ever since it was built (rumour has it that it is finally getting an expansion). Most people who have had their childhood in the Lower Mainland have some found vivid memory of this mall. For me (and this is really dating myself) where the food court is located right now, I remember a store called Abercrombie & Fitch, where it was such a novelty store (not the over cologned store many of you are thinking about that sells close, and that as long as you had a nose that could smell, or a cold, the scent would pierce right through that!) as they had leather elephants I used to hop on when I was young. I still remember the Marks & Spencer, and then later on there was a Pet Habitat and music store that are no longer there. There used to be the big Woodwards department store, and a big Superstar where the food court was. Many changes over the years, and many styles of stores have been funneled out, as this is the Cadillac Fairview group, who does not like to renew leases, and wants to have a higher echelon group of stores in their shopping centres!
It is 2012, and due to the 'big screen, big sound' of the big Silver City style of theatres, the small theatres here have closed their screens for good as of January 2, 2012. Amazing how the hairdresser beside them is still around after all this time. White Spot has been a staple to this mall, and even though I do not consider their food 'high-end' their prices are 'high-end' enough to justify them staying put. As in my other review, I still do not understand why they are where they are, but it probably has something to do with big brother (The Bay) being next door.
The parking is wonderful here, as it is abundant, all over the mall, at every angle. If you know the 'in's-and-out's' of this place, it is not hard getting in, and also getting to the right exit, direction and street you want to go to. If your looking for deals, this mall has some, but really not many, and even though it is a high end mall with high end shops (Tiffany's, Hugo Boss, Coach, etc, etc, etc) you may be sent into downtown, as most likely due to traffic, they don't get as much stuff as the downtown stores do.
It's an odd type of mall in my opinion, I work close, so I frequent this quite often, and even I get bored as there is not much variety of stuff here, but it is very accesible to say the least.
