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CUSTOMERS offered nothing but praise following the opening of the new Kennington Village Shopping Centre on Wednesday.
Stephen Baker, from Kennington, was the first person through the door of the $14 million centre.
"I said to my wife, 'I am going to do something silly and try and be the first person through the door'," he said.
"I actually got out of bed early for this."
The Condon Street development includes a 3800 square-metre supermarket, several variety stores and spaces for cafes and restaurants.
The centre has street level parking for more than 280 cars including disabled and parent parking.
Strathdale's Cindy Maddern and her two-year-old son Chase were the first customers to make a purchase.
Ms Maddern said she was impressed with the size of the car park and the location of parent parking spaces.
"I really love that there is parent parking, especially as it is at the front of the shop," she said.
Peter Minehan of Strathlotteries said Kennington Village was a "magnificent asset" for the community.
"It's going to draw a lot more people out to this area," he said.
"The community has been desperate for a good shopping village and exposure of a good supermarket."
Mr Minehan said he was impressed with the design concept of the shopping centre.
"I think the design factor of the whole complex has been excellent," he said.
Darryl Spencer, who lives in Junortoun, said the centre would save him from having to travel to the Bendigo Marketplace to do his shopping.
"It looks great. It will be very convenient," he said.
Carolyn Martin lives two blocks away and said the complex offered the community variety.
"It will be competition for IGA," she said.