[St. John's] Retail Thread

[Crisisnf]

Been noticing for several weeks that Sol Studio (not sure if I got that right) by Shoppers on Merchant Dr has been looking empty. Read a notice on the door today which indicated that it was abandoned by the tenant. Yet another victim of the pandemic.

[Marty_Mcfly]

I also noticed while out today that the final phase of the Avalon Mall expansion is pretty much closed in and nearly finished on the exterior.

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

I also noticed while out today that the final phase of the Avalon Mall expansion is pretty much closed in and nearly finished on the exterior.

HAH. You reminded me I took pics 2 weeks ago and forgot to post. duh

[statbass]

An interesting concept to help boost struggling businesses in DT. We need every ounce of creativity and innovation at this point. It'd be interesting to see where this goes.

VOCM News
June 4, 2020

As businesses struggle to cope with newfound challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of St. John’s has put forward a proposal for a pedestrian-only mall, aiming to stimulate the downtown economy.

The idea is to provide businesses with a manner to expand the capacity of their shops within a vehicle-free area of downtown St. John’s. Existing businesses would be able to apply to temporarily expand onto the sidewalk or parking meter spaces.

https://vocm.com/2020/06/03/downtown-pedestrian-mall/

[goodgrowth]

Originally Posted by statbass

An interesting concept to help boost struggling businesses in DT. We need every ounce of creativity and innovation at this point. It'd be interesting to see where this goes.

VOCM News
June 4, 2020



https://vocm.com/2020/06/03/downtown-pedestrian-mall/

Definitely cool but are we going to drop some of the social distancing rules and "nannyism" to let it work?

Also DT needs a bus hub...

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by goodgrowth

Definitely cool but are we going to drop some of the social distancing rules and "nannyism" to let it work?

Also DT needs a bus hub...

I would argue that this helps DT business more easily follow social distancing rules while benefiting the most from the poor situation. Without the extra outdoor space I would imagine most restaurants would need to cut the number of tables in their dining rooms in half to reduce crowding. Now you have a large swath of land right outside your front door to space out those extra tables.

[goodgrowth]

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

I would argue that this helps DT business more easily follow social distancing rules while benefiting the most from the poor situation. Without the extra outdoor space I would imagine most restaurants would need to cut the number of tables in their dining rooms in half to reduce crowding. Now you have a large swath of land right outside your front door to space out those extra tables.

Sure as long as they are allowed to build ample sized patios (beyond the sidewalk and out onto the street) and there are no capacity restrictions with regards to patios.

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by goodgrowth

Definitely cool but are we going to drop some of the social distancing rules and "nannyism" to let it work?

Also DT needs a bus hub...

That could work on Harbour Drive.

[ec1983]

Originally Posted by goodgrowth

Sure as long as they are allowed to build ample sized patios (beyond the sidewalk and out onto the street) and there are no capacity restrictions with regards to patios.

Anything that involves drinking is going to be limited to the sidewalk. NLC won't allow alcohol consumption in the street.

[thevan]

Originally Posted by jjavman

That could work on Harbour Drive.

This.

[Arrakis]

This is the former Woodgate Plaza on Kenmount Road. They demolished maybe a 1/3 of it and are reusing some of the steel (I think) to re-confiqure into what I assume will be the new "Brick" furniture store. The shape certainly shows the typical Brick store facade. I attached a couple of pics of the new construction and and google shot what the Brick store usually looks like. Should be a nice addition to the plaza with Toys R Us.


https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...70&oe=5F1726C8

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...56&oe=5F168174

[goodgrowth]

Originally Posted by Arrakis

This is the former Woodgate Plaza on Kenmount Road. They demolished maybe a 1/3 of it and are reusing some of the steel (I think) to re-confiqure into what I assume will be the new "Brick" furniture store. The shape certainly shows the typical Brick store facade. I attached a couple of pics of the new construction and and google shot what the Brick store usually looks like. Should be a nice addiction to the plaza with Toys R Us.


https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...70&oe=5F1726C8

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...56&oe=5F168174

Has anything been confirmed about The Brick going there?

The render on their website shows a mixed-use design:
https://www.crombiereit.com/property/woodgate-plaza

[Larla77]

Originally Posted by goodgrowth

Has anything been confirmed about The Brick going there?

The render on their website shows a mixed-use design:
https://www.crombiereit.com/property/woodgate-plaza

It was announced a few months ago i believe

https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...-redevelopment

[Arrakis]

I actually havent heard a confirmation that the Woodgate Plaza is going to be The Brick but Avalon Mall/Crombie REIT did announce that The Brick was going to be part of the Avalon Mall renovation project as a stand alone big box store. The only real logical location for that right now is the former Woodgage Plaza location.

Originally Posted by goodgrowth

Has anything been confirmed about The Brick going there?

The render on their website shows a mixed-use design:
https://www.crombiereit.com/property/woodgate-plaza

[Larla77]

Not sure if this fits here but it doesn't fit anywhere else that I can see. Jack Axes announced on their facebook page last week that they are moving to a new location and hoping to reopen in September. Reason was the landlord of their current building who a few people have had issues with over the years. Not sure if Trapped and the archery place moving with them.

https://www.facebook.com/JackAxesInc...24360277892065

[thevan]

Originally Posted by Larla77

Not sure if this fits here but it doesn't fit anywhere else that I can see. Jack Axes announced on their facebook page last week that they are moving to a new location and hoping to reopen in September. Reason was the landlord of their current building who a few people have had issues with over the years. Not sure if Trapped and the archery place moving with them.

https://www.facebook.com/JackAxesInc...24360277892065

Slumlord Torontonian - and he owns a whole lot of buildings downtown SJ. Same owner as the former Fixed location and others.

Would seem to rather have his buildings empty than to decrease rents to a reasonable amount. And there are tax breaks for doing this, after all..

[goodgrowth]

Originally Posted by ec1983

Anything that involves drinking is going to be limited to the sidewalk. NLC won't allow alcohol consumption in the street.

So yeah looking at this pic that Mayor Danny Breen tweeted out it looks that the patios will actually be on the road(good news imo):

https://twitter.com/DannyBreenNL/sta...96261563158528

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by goodgrowth

So yeah looking at this pic that Mayor Danny Breen tweeted out it looks that the patios will actually be on the road(good news imo):

https://twitter.com/DannyBreenNL/sta...96261563158528

[Larla77]

Madison MacKenzie Home announced on their Facebook that they are closing their stores (2 i think) and going online only.

[Arrakis]

The retail scene in Canada is currently in dire straits thanks to a dismal 2020 and COVID-19. Here is a partial list of some national brands (some of which have locations here in St. John’s) that are currently in financial trouble and may disappear from the retail scene altogether in the near future.
https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...6307-113844953