Malls turn once vibrant SM Street into Plain Jane

KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode Sweetmeat Street popularly known as Mittayi Theruvu, once the major commercial hub of the city with a rich trade legacy is now fading out.

Thanks to the growing shopping mall culture that provides a consumer a onetime shopping destination, offering comforts including a parking facility, is the new trend.

SM Street spanning over a century, earlier had more than 300 shops and was a one stop shopping destination.

But now there are a just 220 shops and many traditional retailers here have already shut their shops while some have disappeared fearing the surge of modernisation in the retail sector. There have been frequent fire accidents in the area.

Talking about the current status of the age old commercial hub, K.E. Chakunni, a noted businessman said, “Over time, standalone malls like Focus Mall, Ship Mall, RP Mall and Hi Lite Mall, totaling a large space for the retail sector in the city, has become the choice of retailers and big brands as the malls have addressed the parking space issue and offer a pleasant ambience for shoppers. With several attractive features offered in big malls and other shopping complexes, customers are largely attracted to shops here, which indirectly affects the business at SM street, he added.

At the same time, it has to be recalled that the district administration, the tourism department and social welfare department have at different times declared funds for the renovation and beautification works of SM Street, but that is yet to get off the ground. According to old retailers here, big retailers were deliberately trying to spoil the reputation of SM Street.

But once again assuring that SM Street’s lost glory would be brought back, minister for social justice and welfare M.K. Muneer said that by August the renovation works worth Rs 2.6crore would begin.