Go Inside HomeWorks and the Phuket Brewery in our Photo Album
HOMEWORKS opened today with a lot of hooplah and a little rain. Now get ready for a big night at the Phuket Brewery, just down the road.
Believe it or not, this stretch of the Bypass may become as historical in 100 years as the old town Sino-Portuguese section of Phuket City is today.
Don't laugh, please. Look at the history here.
At one end of the block, there's Tesco-Lotus, the island's first real supermarket. That changed island life forever.
And at the other end, there's Central Festival, the island's first shopping mall. That marked Phuket's progression to a different level of sophisticated retailing.
Now there's HomeWorks, adding a whole range of shopping options, with the Brewery about to lift entertainment standards on Phuket to starburst height.
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So you see, HomeWorks has already made history.
What's it like inside? Big, as you will see from our Photo Album.
We venture to suggest that it's probably the largest unbroken covered space on the island, with a ground floor too, but that has a much lower ceiling.
Security people stopped us as we happily took shots of what shoppers can expect to find, and it took a little while before we won official approval to keep snapping.
The whole place is a real adventure. There are some familiar names, a Starbucks, a KFC, a Mr Donut, plus a new Japanese restaurant, and plenty of other new brands as well.
The escalators have to be about the longest on the island, almost in the Hong Kong class.
Somehow we gained the impression that HomeWorks was all about DIY but it's that and much more.
The ''works'' is ''the works'' when it comes to the things you might need to fit out your five-bedroom double-pool villa.
Grab an eyefull of the lcd television sets all in a row, or the huge refrigerators.
Dining suites? Spas? Kitchen sinks? There's plenty to choose from.
We discovered at least one beauty clinic and a large outlet selling fitness equipment.
It's an entertaining space to wander, even if your pockets are empty, with aisles that are mostly wider than the ones at the average supermarket.
Besides, we love brass bands . . . even in the rain.
And there are more live sounds coming right up very soon.
Down the road at the Brewery, the landmark ship out the front is already being lit by a wavering spotlight at night.
We toured inside, and we can tell you that the Brewery will be the most spectacular addition yet to Phuket's nightlife.
About 2000 - yes, you read that right - can sit here at tables in comfort, watching performers on a huge stage. There's a second level and a long, wavy bar with plenty of large screens.
Next month, another large step will be taken along the Bypass when the great Thai band Carabao burst into song on opening night at the Brewery.
From then on, performances of one kind or another will be held every night, with headliners on stage once a week.
International acts? At last they have a venue that should put Phuket on the circuit whenever the stars look at doing tours in South East Asia.
We can hardly wait. Phuket history? We love making it.
Afternoon Update
By Shanya Phattrasaya
PHUKET HOMEWORKS covers 27 rai, the biggest superstore of its kind in southern Thailand, Senior Vice President Pong Skuntanaga told a press conference at 2pm.
The project cost one billion baht.
Seventy percent of customers would be homeowners or buyers, the other 30 percent would be contractors, he said.
Seventy percent would be Thai, 30 percent expats.
The superstore is directly opposite Central Festival, which is the brand behind HomeWorks.
Managers expect 200,000 customers every month. The tiered car park has space for a thousand vehicles.
HomeWorks has many zones across 26,000 square metres. About 100 shops occupy the plaza and two floor levels, Khun Pong said.
The store provides all kinds of assistance for shoppers who want to decorate or renovate. Services include installation, free delivery, interior design and finance.
There's a guarantee and a refund within 14 days.
You can even buy your whole home in the superstore, and a swimming pool to go with it.
As well as HomeWorks, the superstore includes Power Buy and SuperSport.
''I am confident we will have many families setting up home or refurnishing using the services at HomeWorks,'' he said.
It's branch number eight for HomeWorks in Thailand.
Essential Reading
Phuket Nightlife Boost From The Brewery
Initial details of the Phuket Brewery, the island's first entertainment venue capable of attracting big stars, have been revealed. And look out for a Hard Rock Cafe and a Supa Club, too.
Phuket Nightlife Boost From The Brewery
Phuket To Gain Star Acts At New Brewery Venue
Carabao will be the first headline performers in November as Phuket gains a large entertainment venue with a boutique brewery attached. The developers made their name in milk.
Phuket To Gain Star Acts At New Brewery Venue
Who would I like to see at the Phuket Brewery soon? Loso! Carabao again. Madonna on the slide, any great alternative rock band, especially the White Stripes. Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, the Rolling Stones seriously reborn from 1970, and with Tata Young singing lead vocals, No Doubt, Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas (all other rappers/hip hoppers should be banned because it's sooo boooring) Joan Baez, Nina Simone with a little help from science, Mazzy Starr, Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones, kd laing twice, Jet, Outkast, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, the B-52s, Ben Harper, Bjork, Blondie, Blur, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Coldplay, the Corrs, Eskimo Joe, George Benson, Green Day, Foo Fighters, John Butler Trio, Joni Mitchell, Lilly Allen, Mary J. Blige, Metallica, Milli Vanilli, Nelly Futado, Oasis, Okkervill River, PJ Harvey, Powderfinger, Red Hot Chili Peppers (ped ped ped), Simply Red, Garbage, Smashing Pumpkins, the Strokes, Thom Yorke, Tracy Chapman, and most of all . . . Jack Johnson singing duet with Bob Marley.
Posted by angelfire on October 25, 2008 18:44