Small stores and boutiques fill the streets of Athens from one side of the block to the other. Door-to-door shopping, each store adjacent to the next, creates an old-fashioned shopping experience. Is all that about to change? November 25 marked the grand opening of Athens’ first indoor shopping center, The Mall.

Located on Andrea Papandreou Street in Maroussi, The Mall is one of the biggest shopping centers in southeastern Europe..

“I’ve never seen anything like it. So many stores, I don’t know where to go first,” said George Nicolakis, a Deree student.

The Mall consists of 200 retail stores and entertainment choices for all ages, covering wide areas of interest. Stores such as Sephora, Marks&Spencer, Nautica, Claire’s, Bed&Bath, among others fill up the four levels of the building.

A food court with various food chains such as Ruby Tuesdays, TGI Friday’s, Far East, Haagen Dazs and many more are spread out onto the third and fourth floors. They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m.

“I went with my whole family two days after it opened,” said Nicolakis, “and everyone had somewhere to go. My little sister was occupied in Claire’s accessory store for two hours, my mother and father were eating at Ruby Tuesdays, and I was bowling with a friend. We all met up after and went home.”

The Mall is considered a very Americanized commercial center. While Greeks are used to shopping, eating, and going to the movies in three different places, they are now offered all in one.

“I went with my girlfriend there the other day for the first time,” said Giorgos Matzikas. “We shopped around, and then we ate at Ruby Tuesday,” he continued, “Then, my girlfriend suggested we see a movie. By the time we left, I had spent 6 hours in one place. It was definitely a new experience.”

The Mall’s operational hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 a.m.