Owner Ruby Liu unveils a redevelopment vision for Vancouver Island’s largest shopping mall, including a 30,000-square-foot Asian grocer and a Hong Kong-style night market.
NANAIMO — An Asian grocery chain, a large-scale lighted art installation and what its owner calls a “social, wellness, and recreational hub” are among a series of redevelopment plans unveiled for Woodgrove Centre, Vancouver Island’s largest shopping mall.
Ruby Liu
Photo Credits: Woodgrove Centre Facebook Page
Ruby Liu, whose company Central Walk owns Woodgrove Centre along with several other B.C. shopping malls, announced the projects at an event held at the mall on Thursday, Sept. 10.
Signage displayed at the event outlined plans for a performance venue, specialty dining and leisure opportunities, describing the vision as a destination meant to enhance residents’ quality of life and strengthen community connections.
Among the confirmed additions is a 30,000-square-foot H-Mart Asian grocery store. Tae Kim, H-Mart’s marketing manager, said the chain began in the 1980s as an Asian grocery retailer and aims to offer customers specialty food items and cultural experiences not easily found elsewhere on the Island.
Kim said H-Mart is targeting a 2028 opening for the Woodgrove location, to be situated on the second floor of the mall’s former Hudson’s Bay space. The first floor of that space is planned to become a TM Wander, described by Liu as a “Hong Kong temple style night street market.” A similar 24,000-square-foot TM Wander concept opened earlier this year at Tsawwassen Mills in Delta, another Liu-owned property.
A large LED art display, incorporating a performance venue, is also planned for the mall’s parking area. Any structural additions or alterations to the property remain subject to municipal approval.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog spoke briefly at the announcement, saying Vancouver Island is positioned for a significant period of economic activity and welcoming further investment at Woodgrove.
A Mall in Transition
The announcement comes amid a period of transition for the shopping centre. Liu purchased the Woodgrove Centre property for a reported $200 million in September 2020, at the time promising activities and educational programming for children and seniors. Limited development followed in the years after, and the mall was listed for sale in spring 2025.
The property has also faced the loss of two major tenants in the past year: The Bay closed around the time the mall was put up for sale, and Toys “R” Us shut its Nanaimo location in November 2025 amid broader financial difficulties facing the retailer.
Woodgrove Centre previously underwent expansions in 2000 and a $20-million renovation completed in 2016. According to BC Assessment figures, the property was valued at $207 million as of last summer, making it the mid-Island region’s most valuable property across all categories.
Photo Credits: Woodgroove Centre Facebook Page
