TRM simply means Thika Road Mall; a place for everyday mall necessities. It accommodates both well-known, major retail outlets and chain stores, as well as charming small boutiques and a gym. The mall also provides essential services for the local community. In this article, we’ll cover all the fundamental information you should be aware of if you’re considering a visit to TRM, from the shops, and services to banks in TRM
Table of Contents
Location
Thika Road Mall, commonly referred to as TRM is located along Thika Road(Currently Thika Superhighway). It is in the neighborhood of Roysambu and on the left side of the highway if you are coming from the Nairobi CBD direction.
It is just next to the road, and no further inward travel is necessary, its entrance faces the highway. TRM is one of the easily accessible malls in Nairobi.
First Impressions
The mall is just simple, nothing crazy going on in terms of styling, decor, or greenery. Everything is subtle and I love it. It is not trying to stand out or anything.
The ambiance is just average and I feel like TRM is geared towards being a simple and functional mall for residents nearby, and not a state-of-the-art mall that stands out in anything, or offers something unique.
Design-wise, it is spacious with wide enough hallways, but unfortunately for the most part, they are not fully walkable as stands are set in between which takes from the spaciousness feel.
While it is functional for the most part, it misses a few things especially in the entertainment sector, like a movie theater, having that would be nice. But again Garden, City Mall is just nearby (4 km away) to cover that.
Tips for Visitors
- The mall opens daily at 7: 30 a.m. and closes at 11: 00 p.m. However, most stores are closed by 10:00 p.m.
- There are two security points, one at the gate with handled metal detectors by the security guards, and the second at the mall building entrance with walk-through metal detectors.
- Photography is prohibited.
- There are washrooms on the ground floor
- There is no Artcaffe, KFC, or a movie theater at TRM
- Parking is paid for at ATMs on the ground floor, parking spaces are not always available at the front, so you might wanna check the back also, especially at peak hours.
- There is no dedicated entrance and exit, so you just walk in and out through the same point.
Navigating TRM
One of the standout features of Thika Road Mall is the ease of navigation. The layout is well-planned, making it simple to find your favorite stores. You can travel between floors by either an escalator, a lift, or a staircase. Lifts are ideal if you from shopping and have a bulky cart, staircases are probably the quickest especially going down, and escalators are just for taking it all in.
The ground floor has the following significant stores;
- Java House Cafe
- Pizza Inn, Creamy Inn, Chicken Inn & Galitos
- Audio, Gaming, and electronics stores
- Bata Shop
- FLO
- LC Waikiki
- A Safaricom Shop
- TBC (Text Book Centre)
- Furniture Palace
- Carrefour Supermarket
The first floor has mostly mini fashion stores and upper floors of existing establishments from the ground floor like Carrefour and LC Waikiki. The second floor mainly houses banks
TRM Food Court Outlets
I find the TRM food options a bit disappointing. There aren’t many food choices, especially when it comes to sit-down restaurants. The choices for fast food are also limited, and they’re not all in one place like in most malls.
To break it down, you’ll find some food options like Pizza Inn and Java House near the entrance, while the rest are on the first floor. Coldstone doesn’t have a dedicated store but a stand on the first floor, Burger King is also on the first floor. Interestingly, TRM doesn’t have even the famous KFC.
1. Burger King
When you climb up to the first floor using the staircase, the first thing you’ll spot is Burger King. It’s right there, shining brightly, and you can’t miss it when you enter from the ground floor because of its catchy glowing logo.
Just like any other Burger King, this place mainly serves burgers and other fast-food items like onion rings and fries. They also offer different kinds of drinks, from sodas to milkshakes. If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal, Burger King is a good choice.
This specific Burger King outlet is impressive. It’s always clean and well-maintained, and nothing is falling apart. The place is well-lit and has good ventilation, making it a great spot for a casual meal. There are even wall outlets if you want to work, like in a coffee shop. What’s even better is that, even during busy times, this Burger King isn’t usually crowded.
2. Pizza Inn, Chicken Inn, Creamy Inn & Galitos
All these chains are owned by Simbisa Brands, and it makes sense why they are all located under one section. It is just one location, but different counters for each.
Pizza Inn specializes in pizzas obviously, and so does Chicken Inn with fried chicken. Galitos is all about flame-grilled chicken, and Creamy Inn deals with creamy treats that as ice creams and milkshakes.
The entire place is just referred to as Pizza Inn, since that is the most famous brand there. The section is located on the right side as the first establishment after going through security, and Java House is directly at the left.
3. Coldstone Creamery
Located on the first floor on the far end towards the back of the mall, Coldstone doesn’t have a dedicated permanent room but it is a stand between the hallway. This is functional as it doesn’t get that busy. This means there is no sitting area, so you will need to find elsewhere to sit while devouring your ice cream. This is a little inconvenient, but not a big deal.
4. Java House
Java House is a standout feature at TRM. You can’t miss it—it occupies the entire right side of the entrance and stands out visually with its extended outdoor area. Java is more than just a cafe; it’s a hub for people to gather, whether it’s for business discussions or a friendly chat. If you like working from coffee shops, Java has you covered with plenty of power outlets and WiFi.
And it’s not just about hot drinks and pastries. Java House offers full meals, serving everything from breakfast to dinner. So, whether you’re looking for a quick coffee or a complete meal, Java House has something for everyone.
Entertainment & Activities
Funscapes is where the fun happens for kids at TRM. It’s an indoor gaming arcade packed with exciting activities like consoles, virtual reality, a drop tower, trampoline jumping, and bumper cars. They also host themed events like birthday parties. While most activities cater to kids, adults can also find something enjoyable to do here. It’s a place where everyone can have a good time.
Retail Outlets at TRM
At this mall, you’ll find a vast array of boutique and retail stores, ensuring that most of your shopping requirements are met. However, here are some of the prominent mainstream outlets available.
1. LC Waikiki
LC Waikiki is a stylish and budget-friendly retail brand that offers trendy clothing for men, women, and kids all under one roof. Their clothes are of excellent quality and boast unique designs, making them one of the top choices for affordable fashion in Nairobi.
Founded in France in 1988, LC Waikiki became a Turkish brand in 1997 and has since expanded to over 1,000 stores worldwide. It’s your go-to destination for fashionable and affordable clothing in Nairobi. There is even a dedicated sales area where you can get even better deals on clearance items.
2. Miniso
There is no better place for home decor and improvement products than Miniso. It is iconic as it offers quality products for a fraction of the price, and packs trendy and unique products. It is a Japanese brand founded in 2013 although the founder was a Chinese entrepreneur.
Miniso has quickly gained popularity for its stylish and minimalist design, offering everything from household items and simple electronics to fashion accessories and beauty products. Miniso is the place to find niche products like Yoga mats and other things you possibly can’t find upstairs at Carrefour.
3. Carrefour
The Carrefour store at TRM is huge, with more than 10 spacious aisles that stretch out and extend deep into the store. It’s a two-story setup:
- The upper floor stocks electronics, kitchenware, clothing, plastic items, and similar products.
- On the ground floor, you’ll find just about every grocery item you might need. Carrefour is known for its competitive prices and ongoing sales, making it a favorite spot for grocery shopping in the Roysambu area. It can get quite crowded, especially during peak hours.
Additionally, if you’re looking for snacks, drinks, or refreshments while in the mall, Carrefour is the best place to head to within the mall complex.
4. Furniture Palace
Furniture Palace is a reputable furniture store offering a wide range of stylish and premium furniture for homes and offices. Their showroom has a diverse of designs to choose from and you surely won’t miss one that exactly suits your taste.
Furniture Palace is located at the far right from the entrance and neighbors the expansive Carrefour Supermarket.
5. Bata
Bata is probably the most reputable shoe store and brand in Kenya. Durability is just the next level and price? Affordable for the most part. The shops offer a variety of sneakers, school shoes, open shoes, and literally everything footwear.
And no, Bata is not a Kenyan brand, although the name sounds Swahili. Bata was founded in 1894 in the Czech Republic.
6. FLO
FLO is a Turkish shoe brand that specializes in footwear just like Bata, it is the next store after Pizza Inn FLO has a wider variety than Bata and has multiple brands.
FLO offers a wide range of shoes, from casual sneakers to formal dress shoes, boots, and sandals, catering to men, women, and children. What makes FLO special is its emphasis on blending the latest fashion trends with comfortable design, so every pair not only looks stylish but also feels incredibly comfortable to wear.
7. Text Book Centre
TBC, often called by its initials, is the one-stop shop for everything related to books and office supplies. They have a wide range of items, including academic books for schools, all kinds of stationery, bestsellers, autobiographies, and novels. If you’re a bookworm or an academic, TBC is a must-visit.
Additionally, TBC also offers office supplies and electronics, such as laptops, printers, cartridges, and ink bottles. You can find it all here. Not to forget niche stationery like engineering drawing and art and painting classes. You can also buy normal things for daily use such as journals, planners, and fancy gel pens.
Electronic Stores at TRM
At this mall, you’ll find a Samsung store, a specialized audio store, and even a gaming and gaming hardware store. Upstairs, there are appliance stores like the Hisense store, offering a wide range of products from that brand. These are just a few of the noteworthy stores you can explore here.
Banking Services at TRM
Safaricom Shop & customer care is on the ground floor. Most banks are on the second floor in malls typically, banks are not the most spacious but they get the job done. They average two tellers, and at least an ATM. Not crowded but there is a reasonable wait time involved in any of the banks
Traditional bank branches in TRM include
- Standard Chartered
- Cooperative Bank
- KCB
- NCBA
- Cooperative Bank
- DTB
- Absa
- ABC Bank
- HF Group
- Classic Forex Bureau
Services and Amenities
You can find easyGym on the 2nd floor upstairs. The monthly membership fee is a reasonable KSh 2,500, making it a great annual deal. It’s open every day until 10:00 p.m., so if you live close to the mall, you can easily join the program.
Links
The 10 Best & Iconic Malls in Kenya
