Kingsgate Mall manager honoured for ‘fabulous’ turnaround

When Leyda Molnar first started working in marketing for Kingsgate Mall 11 years ago, the east Vancouver shopping complex was dreary and uninviting.

Most merchants were temporary and on month-to-month leases, while undesirables milled about, smoking, drinking and loitering by the entrances. Family shoppers were practically non-existent.

When Molnar became property manager in 2006, however, she quickly began turning the mall around. She boosted security and introduced seniors days and children’s story times. She implored merchants to improve the quality of their products and told problematic patrons they were no longer welcome.

On Thursday, the Vancouver Mount Pleasant Lions Club honoured Molnar for her efforts.

"We don’t normally give this award out," said past zone chairman Alex Little, who surprised Molnar before a crowd of merchants, shoppers and Molnar’s family members at the mall. "When we do, we try to pick somebody that is really deserving for all the difference they make in the neighbourhood. As manager of Kingsgate Mall, she has cleaned that mall up from what it used to be – which was quite bad – into a place where families can go and feel welcome and comfortable."

The award was a surprise to Molnar, who called the recognition a "true honour."

"This is wonderful," said Molnar, to applause from the crowd. "It’s not all me though; it’s the merchants, the landlord, the security."

Little presented Molnar with two certificates and a gold medal – the highest honour someone who is not a member can receive from the club.

Rob Fiorvento, managing partner at Kingsgate Mall, called the recognition "fabulous," saying Molnar wholly deserved it. "We’ve received nothing but accolades from people who live around there, people at city hall, the City of Vancouver," Fiorvento said.

awoo@vancouversun.com