Month: February 2023

Succulents are the new vending machine “snacks” at CITTA Mall

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Cheerful succulent seller turned a passion project into a thriving business.

Cheerful succulent seller turned a passion project into a thriving business.

Drinks, snacks and now – succulents! The use for vending machines has been revolutionised for more than just dispensing convenient eats. Today, you can find Malaysia’s very first succulent dispensing vending machine at CITTA Mall. In collaboration with Cactus Boy
Nursery, this machine houses up to 108 succulents for sale, through an accessible, cashless, and unmanned retail system.

“CITTA Mall has always prioritised being a ‘green mall’ where we try to add an element of nature to your shopping and leisure
experience. Supporting novel ideas like the Cactus Boy Nursery succulent vending machine is just one of the ways we
encourage entrepreneurship and increasing our green spaces within the community,” commented John Tam, General Manager of
CITTA Mall.

Succulent vending machine by Cactus Boy at CITTA Mall

Own new succulents at a press of a button.

The succulent vending machine is a pet project by Owner and Founder of Cactus Boy Nursery, Koh Kuan Meng, to cater to his customers’ demand for the pretty potted plants while he travels for work. “I have always desired for a retail space to sell succulents without me being on-site and having to manage the sales in person. When CITTA Mall agreed to support me in bringing my vending machine idea to life, I jumped on the opportunity immediately.”

Commercial vending machines are not designed to sell live plants; Koh had a hand in customising the design to carefully move the succulents from the display rack to the collection space in the vending machine. “It took several trials and errors, but with a few modifications, the plants can now be transported safely from all display rack levels without toppling over! My next challenge is to dispense bigger pots of plants.”

Koh’s inventive modifications has simplified sale of his succulents

Koh’s inventive modifications has simplified sale of his succulents

“There are a few plus points to selling plants this way; I can store them at a consistent temperature, install grow lights to ensure sufficient light, automate the watering system, and also maintain the plants’ condition and monitor sales through an app. Now, plant mums and dads can come, purchase, and leave with their new plant babies without me having to be there! That’s a great victory for me,” the 31-year-old added.

Succulent enthusiasts can purchase a single pot from RM15 upwards to two pots for RM50 at the vending machine located at the Ground floor of CITTA Mall, outside Nando’s eatery, by the glass elevator. To watch a tutorial on how to use the machine, click here.
For more information, visit: @CITTAMall on Facebook or @cittamall on Instagram or @cactusboynursery on Facebook or @cactusboy_nursery on Instagram.

CITTA Mall Celebrates Chinese New Year Featuring Mural Art Hand-Painted by 90 Children

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The children, their caretakers, Leo Club members and sponsors capture a moment by the hand-painted mural

PETALING JAYA, 29 January 2023 – 90 children and their caretakers from Overcomer Care Centre, Salvation Kids Association, Sai Pandian Orphanage Children Home, and Promise Home celebrated the unveiling of their very own 60-foot-long mural during a Chinese New Year event hosted by CITTA Mall.

The mural painting project was led by the Metro Leo Clubs who engaged with the children’s homes (including Victory Home which was unable to attend the event) in January to paint a portion of the mural.

The highlight of the event was surprising the children with the complete mural, featuring caricatures of rabbits (the fourth Chinese zodiac) and multiple shades of auspicious red.

Deemed the “Megazoid” mural, John Tam, General Manager of CITTA Mall noted that, “This celebration is uniquely different from the usual festivities. CITTA Mall is collaboratively demonstrating to the children the power of coming together, through little effort, to create a greater and positive impact. The Megazoid artwork represents more than just a mural, it’s about communicating unity, a sense of ownership and having good fun.”

Director General of CITTA Mall, John Tam, warmly welcomes the attendees

The Megazoid mural will be displayed until the end of the week, 5 February, on the Third Floor by the GSC Cinema for our shoppers’ viewing pleasure. The children were also treated to a Yee Sang toss, ang pao presentation, a scrumptious lunch by Chilli’s, Wrappe and Happy Lemon, and gifts of Designer Pillows from MajuHome.

Children enjoying yee sang toss and grabbing a boomerang for the ‘Gram

“It was wonderful to find our like-minded partners, CITTA Mall and our sponsors, to give these children a chance to celebrate their very own artwork created by their own hands. There is something so joyous in collectively creating a thing of beauty, and I wanted to have as many children as possible experience this through their very own Megazoid artwork,” explained Andrew Teh of Leo Club Sunway Metro, the Organising Chairperson.

“I am extremely appreciative of our CITTA Mall tenants for expressing generosity during this festive season, in partnership with the Metro Leo Club members,” added John Tam, General Manager of CITTA Mall. This event was successfully put together by the Leo Clubs of Sunway Metro, INTI International College Subang Metro, Methodist College KL, SMK Seksyen 4 Bandar Kinrara, and SMK Bandar Utama 3, supported by sponsorship from Chilli’s, Wrappe, Happy Lemon and MajuHome of CITTA Mall.