Bay Centre Shopping Centre — Attraction in Victoria

I am writing to submit my formal complaint regarding the interaction I’ve experienced while visiting Bay Centre in Victoria, BC. Today 12/28/23 I’ve visited the Bay Centre Mall located in Victoria, BC. While visiting the mall with my family, I decided to use a Family room located on the first level. I used the family room to specifically breastfeed my infant child. Not even 10 minutes later, my breastfeeding session was interrupted by the security guard who said that he was checking on me. I responded back that I am with my child breastfeeding. The security guard knocked on the door again less than 5 minutes later interrupting me again. At that point I felt harassed by the this security guard who crossed the line while interrupting the intimate breastfeeding session with my child. When I asked the security guard why he was interrupting me while I’ve already explained myself, he proceeded to explain that he received an alert on his phone that someone is using the room. In order to access the family room someone has to unlock the door electronically and there is a camera installed next to the call button. Therefore, the security guard should see exactly who they allow to access the family room. The security guard lied saying they do not have a camera and he proceeded to lie saying their admin office is closed today. Following this unacceptable interaction, I proceeded to the admin office of the Bay Centre located on the 1st floor. The admin office was open and the JLL employee answered the door. I’ve explained the interaction that took place and I was promised that this information will be passed on to the security manager. Not only this employee harassed me, but also he violated my family rights for breastfeeding. I would like for Jones Lang LaSalle managing company to conduct a formal investigation to resolve this issue and prevent for any further harassment and the violations of family rights taking place again by the employees of the Bay Centre...

We were a bit hungry so we went to Earls Bay Center on 1199 Government St. We arrived at 2 PM and there were plenty of empty tables. The wait staff seemed to be all female, lovely and wearing little black dresses. The location is excellent and the interior is well appointed. We decided to share a bottle of Errazuiz Carmenere, essentially Burgandy, but not from France. It was rich and complex, but too warm. Rudy had the idea of ordering an ice bucket, chilling the rest of the bottle and mixing it. That was perfect.

Kathy had their version of a Tortilla Soup and Yam Fries. Rudy had their Jerra Curry with brown rice. I had the Cedar Planked Salmon which came with a lovely spiced brown rice, a couple beets, some carrots cut length wise and only cooked enough to slightly soften. Everyone agreed I was the lucky guy with the best dish.

Service was not excellent, our server was Alisha and she seemed to be racing to service either three or four tables, and did not keep our waters filled, maybe she was new. Price before gratuity was 99.40 CDN.

Final note, as we were leaving the restaurant, we noticed the menu posted said it was Hawaiian inspired. It was a decent menu, but all three of us are from Hawaii and two of us are chefs, that is not...

UPDATE: 3 Stars- This mall has become a terrible spiral of stores coming and going faster than you can blink an eye, along with constant shuffling and relocating making it difficult to shop at the places that do stay. The window displays in the empty stores are just dismal, and even the holiday display this year is tired and sad. Looks like we’ll be seeing The Bay Centre in a “Dead Mall” YouTube channel soon. To finish though, I will say the cleaning staff are still doing a great job and the only reason I’m keeping my rating at 3 stars.

ORIGINAL: 5 Stars - The Bay Centre is a really good fit for the downtown core. Always interesting displays or activities going on in their centre court, lots of great shops and tons of food options! Perfect place to grab a coffee and relax on your lunch break or for a day of shopping. The cleaning staff are all really friendly and the security team is super quick to deal with any rowdy folks. I always enjoy my visit here and look forward to their new stores...