The long wait for the reopening of the Dalton Brothers' building is over, with Orange City Centre buzzing with shoppers on Saturday.
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It was the first time people were able to walk into the shopping and retail complex from Summer Street since Myer closed in January 2017.
The redevelopment is the latest installment of a building that was first opened in the 1860s by the Dalton brothers but had many transformations and additions ever since.
The first impressions of the crowd who explored the new shops and central plaza on Saturday morning was overwhelmingly positive despite the food court and restaurants not yet being ready to open. It is hoped the food outlets will be ready to open in about a week.
Grahame and Dianne Percy were among the early customers who took photos and videos for people who couldn't visit the centre themselves.
"I love it," Mrs Percy said, "we have been keeping an eye on it and we knew it was opening day today."
"My sister from the Central Coast was here last week so I've got to take photos of it," Mr Percy said.
Elliot Terrey was also excited by the reopening, particularly by the presence of a sushi bar and once again being able to walk into the centre from Summer Street.
Jodie Matters visited the centre before work and did her Christmas shopping but she's still eagerly waiting for the Lone Star Rib House to open.
"It's so great to have these new shops open in Orange. The shops are great, there's a real variety," she said.
Many of the people who the Central Western Daily spoke to admired the new fresh look in the new building as well as the nod to the heritage of the earlier buildings through the restored facade of the former Dalton Brothers Store.
Mayor Reg Kidd cut the ribbon for the re-opening and was enthusiastic about the new building and said his mother used to work there and although she wasn't able to attend she was also happy about the new use for the site.
VIDEO: The Rio Projekt added a lively atmosphere to the opening ...
"Going back it was Dalton Brothers, then it was Western Stores, Grace Bros, Myers, and then everyone screaming blue murder when it closed," Cr Kidd said.
"The reason it closed was people weren't shopping here so it's very very important that we the community of Orange use these stores."
CPRAM Investments managing director Olivier Sicouri represented the joint owners of the new complex, who acquired the centre in 2014.
"We're thrilled," Mr Sicouri said of Saturday's attendance.
"We consider it to be a reopening, for those of you who remember this was formerly the Dalton Store, to many people it's the Myer store but to people who know the history of Orange it is the Dalton store."
Mr Sicouri said as well as the facade, the new building had a heritage link to the former buildings.
VIDEO: Shoppers enter the re-opened centre...
He said the history of Orange with preserved metal-pressed ceilings, steel columns, mosaic tiles, as well as a display of the old pulley that once lifted heavy items between floors.
"There's a real link to the past and I hope you enjoy the mix of the old and the new," he said.
Orange City Centre manager Nicole Chapman also said it was amazing to "see the support from the community and everybody that's come along."
Businesses that opened on Saturday:
Angus and Coote, Sportscraft, Noni B, Dusk, Laurie Claire, Sportsgirl, Rock Wear, Novia Massage and Accupuncture, Barber Industries, Tarocash, Laser Clinics Australia, Bonds Outlet, Adairs, Natural Heal Vitality Health Foods, sushi bar.
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