We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Summertime in Shunyi is all about construction. With the exodus of foreign families to home or cooler climes, business slows down significantly in this expat enclave. And proprietors know this is the best time to update their shops – all the better to woo returnees in the fall.
Closed for Renovations
The biggest temporary closure is probably the Jenny Lou’s store at Beijing Riviera. I imagine residents in that area are now doing quick stops at Didi Mart or at the small local shops inside their compound clubhouses. A note on the door informs customers that the new, improved store will be ready for business on August 20.
What’s Happening at the Plaza
Europlaza has a few changes too. Han Fu Gong Korean barbecue is completing construction at the ground floor with outside access from the patio next to the German restaurant. In the basement, the baby store at the far end ,across from Fornet, has closed down. The local pharmacy has shut its doors too, replaced by a newer, bigger and brighter one a few doors away. Right outside the two closed shops is a temporary bazaar-style clearance bin of children’s goods.
Temporarily Unavailable
Pinnacle Plaza is undergoing the most work, with the following establishments seeing furious activity:
- The as-of-yet unnamed structure at the leftmost end of the plaza is shaping up with a coat of white paint on the building exterior. The suspense is too much to handle!
- Another structure, much smaller, and progressing at a considerably slower speed, is being built across from the outdoor flower stall, Everyday Flowers.
- Tot to Teens children’s clothing and toy shop is undergoing renovations. In the meantime, you can head to Kids Plus for toys and games. Several shops in Europlaza also have a variety of children’s clothes.
- Mexican Kitchen is being refurbished, but a sign on the door says that their menu is available at their sister restaurant, Little Italy, just at the next block around the corner from Starbucks. If you can’t wait to have that burrito or taco, another alternative is Avocado Tree, also within Pinnacle Plaza.
- Domino’s Pizza is also temporarily unavailable. You can continue to get pizza from Papa John’s at Europlaza, Annie’s at Beijing Riviera, or our new discovery, Pie Squared at Cathay View Plaza commercial center. Now three months old, Pie Squared makes deep-dish Detroit-style pizzas and uses a really delicious sauce.
Car Care and More
Another discovery at Pinnacle Plaza is a shop that offers a complete range of services for cars. There are lots of venues that can help keep your car clean, but what about the paperwork and the nitty gritty that we can’t or don’t want to deal with ourselves?
Enter San Te General Services. They can help with obtaining or renewing a Chinese driver’s license, completing a new car registration, transferring car ownership (including embassy vehicles), buying and selling used cars, arranging annual inspections, and paying the car tax. They also offer car rentals – perfect for when friends or family come to visit. For more info, check out their website at www.stautoclub.com.cn, or call 8046 2075 or 139 1021 1215.
Photo by Dana Cosio-Mercado
Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing in 2011 (via Europe) with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountain roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.
