The first Mercator center was opened in 1972, also in New Belgrade, but at a different location. It is located along the Mihaila Pupina Boulevard. At the time of opening, it was city's "pride", and one of the first shopping malls in Belgrade. With
Fontana,
Hotel Jugoslavija,
SIV building and
CK building, it was considered one of the symbols of New Belgrade. It was built as the "grandiose" structure, made from
reinforced concrete, and resembling a "
fallout shelter". Apart from the numerous stores, shops, cafes and restaurants, in the southern extension it had a farmers market. It was the first indoor farmers market in Belgrade. Restaurant "Pri Majolka", later renamed "Vojvodina", was one of the most popular in New Belgrade. The northern extension hosted cinema "Jugoslavija". The building was expanded and renovated in the early 1990s, when the name Mercator was officially dropped, but unofficially remained until today. During the economic collapse in the 1990s, a
flea market developed in front of the mall, along the boulevard. == Mercator Center Belgrade ==