Pinnacle Plaza has been around for several years now, and while it has great potential it hasn’t always lived up to its premise. Situated in a heavily populated expat area, with villa compounds, international schools, and an international hospital clinic, it should be prime real estate for good retail businesses. Perhaps high rent and complicated leases go some way to explaining the high frequency of closures. On the positive side, shop space doesn’t stay unoccupied for long. The pace of change at Pinnacle just feels a little relentless at times, and the same can be said of neighboring Euro Plaza.
Rumors have always persisted that the whole place would eventually be demolished. Whether to make way for a new shopping mall, although that looks less likely with the newly opened Shine Hills, or yet more housing. The monstrous development that sits opposite the Exhibition Center and Euro Plaza seems to have stalled, leaving an empty shell of concrete for now.
So let’s make the most of Pinnacle whilst it’s still there. The mainstays, that do well and always have a constant stream of shoppers or diners, include Jenny Wang, Schindler’s Meat, Hungry Horse, Burger King, and of course Starbucks. Kid’s Plus is always good for toys, stationery, and dress-up costumes.
There’s no doubting there are some great restaurants here. Blue Elephant serves up authentic Thai cuisine in a really nice setting. Loft Eatalicious and Galati Italian Restaurant offer inspired Italian menus at good prices. Haru offers fine Japanese cuisine, with a sushi bar and a number of teppanyaki private rooms. Laker’s is popular for kids wanting big pizzas, and a play on the restaurant’s slides, and for a quick lunch, you can’t go wrong with Avocado Tree. If you’ve just returned from your summer holidays, or are new to the Shunyi area, here’s a quick round-up of those stores that are no more and what’s new.
What’s Out
MOMO Grocery Store
Tapas Plus
SHUSH Kid’s Store
Galati Luxury Italian Food
Johnson’s Computer has shut up shop, but will continue without their store. You can contact them on WeChat JohnsonComputer or call 5165 9282
What’s Moved
WINS Arts & Framing Gallery has moved to another Pinnacle location, just opposite Avocado Tree
What’s New
Chicken Suutak’s Korean Fast Food
MINT Vietnamese Restaurant
Oyster Bar
Chinese Tea House
Linda’s Beijing Restaurant
Pinnacle Plaza 顺义南
99 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu, Shunyi District 顺义区天竺开发区裕翔路99号
beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.
Photos: Sally Wilson
