ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Culture
CONSUMER SACRIFICE
In an unprecedented move to boost morale, foot traffic, and basic human presence, shoppers who physically step inside Wellington’s long-suffering Johnsonville Mall are now being presented $20 gift card vouchers.
The move to compensate anyone who sets foot inside Johnsonville’s Mall comes as various development proposals to make the mall more enjoyable were eventually abandoned — much like the mall itself.
29-year-old Holly Fowler was among the first to brave the journey to the Johnsonville Mall and spoke to our reporters.
“The gift card made it all worth it as it felt like walking into the forgotten wing of a hospital. There’s an old EB Games sign still hanging up, but nothing behind it except a stack of abandoned shelving and a lone folding chair. Quite the haunting experience, but a $20 gift card will surely go to good use in this mall,” Fowler said, looking for some sort of functioning shop to use it in.
Mall spokesperson Trudy Meyers was optimistic today after the gift card’s rollout.
“We just want people to remember Johnsonville Mall exists,” said Meyers, clutching a laminated copy of the 2006 expansion plans. “Even if they only come for a voucher and leave immediately after, that’s fine. At least there is a record of physical attendance.”
Our reporters then caught back up to Holly who was one of a few people inside the mall at the time of interview.
“I walked past the one remaining café, which had a staff member just sitting there staring at the floor. Then I accidentally made eye contact with the man at the jewellery repair kiosk. I panicked and pretended I was on a call.”
As our interview concluded we were told a small ceremony is planned for later this month to honour the first 100 shoppers to complete the full lap of the mall without turning back.
More to come.
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