PUTRAJAYA, Oct 23 — The largest chocolate store in the Klang Valley, Souq Shoppe @ Putra Mosque, is the latest attraction in Putrajaya with the setting up of the first giant Resse’s and Hershey photo booth in the country.
Located at Putra Mosque, the store was designed to give new experiences and joy to visitors, apart from enabling them to fill their shopping baskets with a selection of over 500 international chocolate brands.
The 11,000-square-metre store not only offers a variety of local and international brand chocolates and perfumes but also allows visitors to take pictures in a fantasy world with interior designs fitted with colourful lighting and classic structures.
DR Group Holdings Sdn Bhd Mohd senior manager Mohd Shafiq Aswad Abd Rashid said the chocolate store had attracted more than 10,000 visitors from throughout the country over a three-day period after it was officially opened on Oct 15.
“Putrajaya was chosen as the location because before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the administrative capital received 100 to 140 tour buses daily. So, the idea was to open a chocolate store to serve as a one-stop centre for tourists in a pleasant atmosphere,” he told Bernama here recently.
Mohd Shafiq said there were three photo corners available at Souq Shoppe @ Putra Mosque, namely at the entrance and in the shop, one of which was Hershey’s Candy Machines, which was featured at Changi Airport, Singapore.
“The photo booth is to give visitors an experience in line with the Souq Shoppe @ Putra Mosque slogan, ‘experiential and enjoyable shopping’. Besides, the lighting and interior design of old Moroccan floors and walls are maintained to give a unique ambience to visitors,” he added.
He said the two-phase development of the outlet involved a RM5 million investment covering the chocolate store and a museum which is expected to be ready in February next year.
“The museum will display the history of Putrajaya as well as icons such as buildings, structures and events that have been held. When fully completed, these two attractions will give visitors a different experience, namely shopping and gaining knowledge of Putrajaya,” he said.
Mohd Shafiq said Souq Shoppe @ Putra Mosque also offers an exclusive local brand of chocolate, Fidani by DR Group, whose quality is at par with international brands but sold at an affordable price.
As part of the standard operating procedure to curb the spread of COVID-19, only about 100 visitors are allowed to enter the store at any one time.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency