Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) will launch The Link, an expansion of its Robinsons Metro East mall that will provide a seamless connection to the Marikina station of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2).
The Link takes inspiration from Hong Kong and its malls that are connected directly to the MTR in most districts or London’s “hop-on, hop-off” retail experiences by train.
With a total area of approximately 4,000 square meters, The Link will feature “grab and go” shops that highly support the residential market with their basic needs.
“Located on the second level, The Link will have a mini-grocery, drugstore, optical shops, bank, grab-and-go food kiosks and pasalubong shops for your last-minute shopping,” said Robinsons Malls Regional Operations Director Myron Yao.
Since this hub is the commuters’ linking point between work and home, it also allows them to do a quick grocery before or after the train ride.
Through RLC’s synergy with sister company Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., The Link will also have incoming new concepts such as the popular Korean store, No Brand and Pet Lovers Center.
Shoppers of Robinsons Metro East also stand to benefit from the LRT-2 extensions as the train ride allows them to avoid costly gas and parking and weekend traffic.
“With the addition of the mini-grocery, drugstore, grab and go food stores, No Brand and Pet Lovers Center (PLC) in The Link, we are making essential stores more accessible to our customers,” added Yao.
The Link will also have medical and wellness facilities on the mezzanine area. Thoughtfully designed, persons with disabilities will have easy access as there will be an elevator, exclusively for them.
The operation of the LRT-2 extension is a boon to the mall and other existing commercial establishments in the area, which were not only hit hard by the pandemic, but have also suffered for years due to the heavy traffic in the area.
“Traffic was a major turn-off among shoppers and tourists who used to frequent our mall,” noted Yao.
With the opening of The Link and the LRT-2 extension, the five-level Robinsons Metro East is now more accessible to commuters and shoppers.
This has made Robinsons Metro East the gateway to the east for people from Marikina proper and lower Rizal (Cainta, Angono, Taytay, San Mateo, Rodriguez and Antipolo) who are going into and out of Rizal province.