Happy Birthday: The Opening of Harewood Plaza in 1958

October 2, 2025

Happy Birthday Harewood Mall!

The mall in the centre of Harewood (on Bruce and Fifth), now known as University Village Shopping Centre, was opened 67 years ago today – and back then it was called Harewood Plaza.

As noted in this clipping (click on photo to zoom in) from The Nanaimo Daily Free Press, the Harewood Plaza Shopping Centre was opened on Thursday, October 2, 1958.

At the time, the 250-foot wide building was home to Super-Valu, as well as a bank, bakery and beauty parlour.

See a photo of Harewood Plaza in the 1960s.