I regard The Plaza with a certain fondness. It is reminiscent of the shopping centres of past decades, ones which involved many a day trip with parents, receiving rewards for exemplary behaviour. With the obvious pressure from the more contemporary offerings in the city, this plaza remains well maintained, but is an apparent stranger to regeneration. Nestled surreptitiously on the lower level of the centre, Zen Delight is only discovered by the more observant of shoppers. The store seems to have a transient presence, with shelves and tables hastily erected to house its goods. A huge array of lucky cats, oriental handbags, silken purses and intricate Chinese fans fill the space. It is a colourful assault on the eyes. Walking through into the second room, a range of Chinese clothing is arranged on several rails. Decorative kimonos sit beside silk nightwear, with another display of handbags sheltering them from the window. The walls are festooned with vibrant batik prints, held within elaborate picture frames. Jewellery is splayed across a table, displayed in traditional wooden and silk boxes. As I was looking at a particular necklace, a lady who ran the shop guided me to pull its lower half. A Buddha was swiftly revealed, which I was informed would let good luck in for the future. Zen Delight is an eclectic collection of miscellaneous traditional Chinese items. Well worth a gander if you are meandering around The Plaza.
