The Queen Mary’s shopping gallery, a “glittering art deco inspired boutique mall that is today as beautiful as it was eighty years ago,” will formally reopen on Thursday. The public is invited to step onto the ship for free on that day in celebration of the restoration from 10:00AM to 8:00PM.

“We are willingly obliged to ensure that any repairs or improvements to the ship are in keeping with original designs and historic preservation standards. These demands resulted in both challenges and construction delays; but the end-result is certainly worth the effort and I am certain our guests will agree,” said Queen Mary General Manager, John Jenkins in a statement.

2,000 square feet of retail and lobby spaces were affected by the rehabilitation and restoration campaign, according to the release. Wood surfaces were replaced and matched to their original treatments, linoleum floors were designed specifically to match the floor in the Main Hall, a total ceiling restoration has revealed the original ceilings unique character and the Starboard Shop’s Napoleon Marble fireplace hearth is again on full display.

“These and other painstaking upgrades were made for one reason alone; there is no other ship anywhere like our Queen Mary. This includes the shopping gallery that once-again serves to anchor the Promenade Deck. While this impressive reconstruction challenge has been met, potential restoration opportunities in each of the retail spaces remain open for future consideration,” Jenkins added in a statement.

The Portside Marketplace, which originally served as the First Class Library, will feature women’s items, accessories, jewelry, apparel, books and ship souvenirs. The Centerline Boutique will offer gourmet table top foods, chocolates, packaged teas, candy and more. The ship’s former First Class Drawing Room now hosts the Starboard Shop offering men’s accessories, furnishings, apparel, books and other mementos of the ship.

The original Tobacco Shop is now a wine emporium and tasting room, while just across the lobby, in what was once a small sundries and stationery store, is the Wyndham Vacations Visitor’s Center.

“When Cunard designed the ship’s interior spaces there was a master plan. World-class artisans worked in concert with the shipbuilder and fitters; the result was harmonious interior design. Warm, luxurious interiors welcomed shoppers with a nautical elegance that was all Queen Mary. To resurrect this experience and to rekindle that spirit throughout the ship…including our retail outlets…continues to be my priority,” said Jenkins in a statement.

Admission to the ship on Thursday, April 23 will be complimentary in celebration of the Queen Mary’s revitalized shopping gallery.

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