In the year 2000 the first shops and the food court opened in the Hermitage Mall. At that moment the Hermitage consisted of a little over 20 shops. It soon became clear that this was far too little. Shortly hereafter the second phase of the Hermitage Mall started. The second phase opened in 2004, but still there was a need for more. Today the Hermitage Mall with more than 80 shops has grown out to be the biggest shopping center in Paramaribo.