Even if you’re of the “Apple for life” set, the newly opened Samsung Experience Centre in the CF Toronto Eaton Centre is definitely worth checking out.
The dynamic and completely immersive store – which opened up shop early last month – lets visitors engage in a variety of Samsung experiences (some of which you never knew you were missing in your life) and is basically a dream for lovers of both design and tech.
The 21,000 square-foot, two-floor ecosystem was designed by award-winning Toronto design firm Quadrangle with a fluid and contemporary feel, and is complete with a sleek curved staircase (a definite focal point), rounded walls, and interactive vignettes throughout. Sitting facing Yonge-Dundas Square, the sprawling spot – the largest Samsung Experience Centre in Canada – is accessible either via the street or through the mall.
Of course, the store is filled with all the smartphones, mobile accessories, tablets, and virtual reality headsets that have made Samsung a major market leader. As you may recall, in 2017, Samsung regained its footing as the leader in the smartphone game, topping Apple. In addition to all the smartphones your heart desires, the Experience Centre also houses Interactive Samsung Gear VR and Gear360 zones, and a luxe TV Experience Zone that will tempt you to majorly dent the credit card and take one home with you (and not emerge until May).
What makes the store unique to others in Canada (aside from its size, that is) is that – in addition to the latest and greatest in phones and gadgets – it also features a full range of interactive home electronics and appliances. To showcase the kitchen appliances via a fully functioning Samsung demo kitchen, the Experience Centre will host a variety of in-store dining experiences, similar to what they did at the launch party (which cut no corners, by the way) on January 25, when guests were treated to eats from Top Chef Season 10 winner, Kristin Kish.
More than just a spot to buy your new phone or TV, the store will actually host value-added events on the regular. We can expect educational classes at the store that are hosted by everyone from celebrated chefs, to local artists and tech experts.
I can’t forget to mention the stylishly uniformed Galaxy Consultants, who are like the go-to tech whiz friends you call on for tech issues (one even fixed my friend’s cracked screen on the spot at the launch party), and aren’t difficult to locate.
The store is pretty much the cherry on top of the Eaton Centre’s needed – and decidedly more upscale – revamp as of recent years (I remember what it was like when I was in high school – and it wasn’t necessarily pretty) that has seen redone food courts and the introduction of higher-end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.
The shiny new Eaton Centre location is the sixth Samsung Experience Store in Canada since 2012. Successful (but decidedly not quite as cool) retail locations currently exist at CF Sherway Gardens and Yorkdale Shopping Centre.