Canadian Retail Thread

[TownGuy]

This reminds me of something I recently learned: beyond meat-type food is technically not vegan as part of the food safety standards requires that they do animal testing before it is certified for human consumption.

Beyond Meat does not test on animals. Never have.

[WhipperSnapper]

The closest McDonald's is always busy at eating times and I honestly don't know why. There are Hamburger joints all around that offer a much better burger for a dollar or two more than the Big Mac. Service time is much different. I'm not counting retirees that buy a coffee and a double hamburger to nibble while reading a newspaper on a plastic stool between those peak periods.

[MolsonExport]

From what I can tell, they put all their effort into the drive-thru. The people waiting inside they are less fussed about.

I actually kind of miss the days when they had a pile of burgers ready to go at peak periods such that when you ordered, they'd grab a Big Mac from the pile under the warming light, and you'd be on your way :haha:

Let's face it, fast food is supposed to be FAST!

yep the bin was faster. and fresher too. I know, I worked at McShitties from 1985-1993. For all but the last year, we cooked in batches. But everything was cooked at once, and put together. You'd lay the patties on the grill, pop the buns in the toaster, sear the meat, flip the meat, remove the buns, dress the buns, put the meat on the dressed buns, pass the tray to the production manager, who wrapped and stored the product in the bin. It was supposed to be tossed out after 10 minutes in the bin (in practice, this sometimes was extended to 20 minutes, but much of the time, it was quite busy so product would go out as fast as it was going in).

Now, they stage all the meat and buns, cooked long before they are slapped together. The meat may sit around for an hour or so in some steamer drawer; toasted buns for up to four hours (or more...who knows). slapped together a la carte (but from staged components) and then microwaved.

They've done something to their buns too. They don't taste as good as they once did.

[le calmar]

^Yes. One opened recently at Bloor and Bathurst.

I wish there was a 100% gluten-free burger joint with affordable prices. Maybe using a rice-based dough it would be possible?

The vegan burger places don't seem very busy.


Not sure if it’s up your alley, but there’s Balista - a new Indian chain specializing in vegan burgers, pizza and wraps with an Indian twist. They only have 3 locations right now including one in Brampton, so it’s a bit of a stretch to call it a chain, but it looks like they are expanding. Reasonable prices and very good stuff. Not sure they offer gluten-free options though.

[WarrenC12]

This reminds me of something I recently learned: beyond meat-type food is technically not vegan as part of the food safety standards requires that they do animal testing before it is certified for human consumption.

What part? Feeding it to people to see if they like it? :shrug:

[WarrenC12]

The closest McDonald's is always busy at eating times and I honestly don't know why. There are Hamburger joints all around that offer a much better burger for a dollar or two more than the Big Mac. Service time is much different. I'm not counting retirees that buy a coffee and a double hamburger to nibble while reading a newspaper on a plastic stool between those peak periods.

McDonald's does put stuff on sale via their app or other methods which might be what people are doing. I agree regular price is crap, but Big Macs are $3 every time the Canucks (or your local team) play. Coffee regularly goes for $1. Inflation busters!

[Airboy]

Stopped by Lowes last night, in conversation with some staff about the new owners. The staff have been informed that they are rebranding back to RONA.

[esquire]

Stopped by Lowes last night, in conversation with some staff about the new owners. The staff have been informed that they are rebranding back to RONA.

So I guess my local Lowe's that is a couple blocks away from Rona will be closing?

[Airboy]

So I guess my local Lowe's that is a couple blocks away from Rona will be closing?

One will, or get rebranded again.

[jonny24]

I think there is only 1 original Harveys location in London from my youth and it was renovated recently. All the others are relocated from nearby old locations or new locations entirely. They were my favourite burger chain from the 80's but I'd rather McDonalds now if it was a choice of the 2. I'm not actually much of a fan of burgers of any type anymore anyway so I don't really miss the old style.

I'm your complete opposite :cheers: I love burgers of all tiers, from Fast Eddies to gourmet sit down. I probably eat a burger 3x per week on average :cool:


Burger's Priest has replaced Harvey's in the fast burger space in Ontario. ?

290 Harveys in Canada, 201 of them in Ontario. 30 Burger Priests, 27 in Ontario. A little ways to go before you can say they have been replaced. I don't really think they are in the same category honestly.

Djeffery has it right, those are not the same tier of fast food at all.

Harvey's is in the same "default fast food" category as McD's, A+W, Wendy's etc. It's "differentiator" is that it's flame grilled but it's of no greater quality than the rest of them. Burger's Priest is aimed at least one tier higher, in the same range as 5 Guys and loads of independent/small local chains - in Hamilton I'm thinking of Pinks (https://pinksburgers.com/), Delirious Burger Co (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Delirious+Burger+Co./@43.2549685,-79.8881877,17z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sburgers!3m5!1s0x882c9b7027795555:0xeb91d73b514fedc8!8m2!3d43.2549766!4d-79.8856948!15sCgdidXJnZXJzWgkiB2J1cmdlcnOSAQpyZXN0YXVyYW50mgEjQ2haRFNVaE5NRzluUzBWSlEwRm5TVU41TFV4Nk5rMTNFQUXgAQA?hl=en-US), and not known as a burger place but The Burnt Tongue (https://www.theburnttongue.com/menus) makes killer burgers. I call those "fast-quality", dunno if there's a more standard term.

Above that you get into sit-down places that can either be pretty generic (Kelseys/Montana's etc), or really deliver on fancier burgers like local chain HAMBRGR (https://www.hambrgr.ca/)



McDonald's has gone downhill since the late 80s when I worked there. I still like their breakfast sandwiches (they beat Rim Whoreton's), although A&W has made improvements here.

As for fast food burgers (from best to worst):
Shake Shack (but there are none)
Burger's Priest/5 Guys
A&W/White-Spot/Harveys
Wendy's
Burger King/McDonald's/DQ

I'd go:

Fast-Quality
5 guys
Burger's Priest (haven't been to one in a long while)

Fast-Food:
A+W - overall best quality, good beef, I like their default topping combos. Eat there at least once a week. LOVE it.
Wendy's - never frozen beef and I feel like it makes a difference. Ends up being a little greasier, but that's not inherently a negative. Baconator is the best hangover food.
McDonalds - never great but not actively bad. Just bland-ish. I tend to either go for their "specialty" burgers that change, or the value menu burgers alongside nuggets if I can't choose between beef and chicken.
Harvey's - "okay" but I think they attempt to use their "flame grilled" process as an excuse to use an inferior patty. Tastes like a frozen grocery store patty that you'd cook at home, but less good since it's not fresh off an actual BBQ.
Burger King - I try it about every 10 years, and am left disappointed every time. Don't what it is but they suck.

I haven't had Shake Shack, In'n'Out, Whattaburger or most other US chains to know where they stack up. I had Sonic in February, and I'd say it was about par with McDs.

Super-Cheap-Fast-Food
Fast Eddies - dirt cheap but at least they aren't pretending to be anything but. I'd take 3 Fast Eddies burgers over 1 BK burger.
I think White Castle would fall into this tier as well?

Damn... now I really want 5 Guys or something but this is the week I decided to get serious about actually taking a lunch to work :(

[esquire]

Burger's Priest is just the dumbest name for a restaurant.

[Harrison]

Boston Pizza is Edmonton. All things considered, it's preferable to Ontario's Pizza Pizza acid on cardboard. Of course, Pizza Pizza is a take out/ delivery establishment than a sit down restaurant.

Earls also started in Edmonton, but it's been headquartered in Vancouver for a while now.

[jamincan]

Beyond Meat does not test on animals. Never have.

What part? Feeding it to people to see if they like it? :shrug:

So I did a bit more research. Beyond Meat apparently hasn't done animal testing, but Impossible Burgers did as part of FDA certification for the soy-based heme they use in their product.

https://www.greenmatters.com/p/does-impossible-foods-test-on-animals

[WarrenC12]

So I did a bit more research. Beyond Meat apparently hasn't done animal testing, but Impossible Burgers did as part of FDA certification for the soy-based heme they use in their product.

https://www.greenmatters.com/p/does-impossible-foods-test-on-animals

Seem like red tape. The FDA forced them to feed one of their ingredients to rats, then the process of animal testing forced them to kill the rats.

Impossible Foods applied, and the FDA shut it down, saying this variation of heme could be a potential allergen, as it had never been consumed by humans before. The next step in getting the FDA’s approval meant submitting to three separate experiments on rats – a total of 188 rats. As part of standard animal testing procedure, the rats were then killed.

Hard to blame Impossible Foods too much here.

They do make a better burger than beyond though! It's awesome.

[SpongeG]

Depending on the restaurant beyond meat burgers are often cooked on the same grill as meat burgers so will technically not be vegan to some eaters.

[casper]

Depending on the restaurant beyond meat burgers are often cooked on the same grill as meat burgers so will technically not be vegan to some eaters.

Vegan's are presented with confusing and contradictory situations every day. Just image what happens when they see this

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f0/66/db/f066dbf9080fed75532e376f0055ebcd.jpg

[DrJoe]

If you want to confuse someone, tell a meat eater that you eat dog meat.

[kwoldtimer]

Burger's Priest is just the dumbest name for a restaurant.

I'd say it's in a dead heat with The Captain's Boil. :yuck:

[Loco101]

I'm one of the people who actually liked the Arch Deluxe at McD's. I worked there when they were serving them. Another one I liked that was only for a limited time was the Batman Superhero burger.

[theman23]

McDonald's does put stuff on sale via their app or other methods which might be what people are doing. I agree regular price is crap, but Big Macs are $3 every time the Canucks (or your local team) play. Coffee regularly goes for $1. Inflation busters!

Hasn’t the price of a Big Mac also not really changed much anyways? It’s been around $5 for as long as I can remember.

[Loco101]

Hasn’t the price of a Big Mac also not really changed much anyways? It’s been around $5 for as long as I can remember.

I remember a Big Mac combo being $4.99 in the second half of the 1990s when I worked at McD's. And there would sometimes be a promotion where the combo was $3.99. I believe the combo now costs around $10.49 to $11.99 at most locations. Maybe somebody can confirm if I'm correct or not.

[MolsonExport]

I'd say it's in a dead heat with The Captain's Boil. :yuck:

What an awful name. I call it 'The Captain's Wart'

Even more awful is what they serve. Boiled Seafood with boiled sides, in a fucking plastic bag.

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0f/00/ac/76/seafood-boil.jpg
tripadvisor

Vile

[MolsonExport]

I remember a Big Mac combo being $4.99 in the second half of the 1990s when I worked at McD's. And there would sometimes be a promotion where the combo was $3.99. I believe the combo now costs around $10.49 to $11.99 at most locations. Maybe somebody can confirm if I'm correct or not.

I remember 99cent Big Mac deals, common in the mid/late eighties. There were no combos (called 'trios' in Quebec) back then....these came out around 1990, and a typical combo ('large' sandwich +med fries +med coke) was about $3.99.

[Innsertnamehere]

A big mac combo undiscounted is north of $12 now.

McDonalds has always been overpriced for their full combos for what you get though - it's insanely easy to coupon through their app for something much cheaper. Combo some coupons and the discount burger menu (McDouble, Jr Chicken, etc.), and I rarely spend more than $5-7 for a meal at McD's. Just have to be willing to change up your order a bit to match what coupon is available.

McDonalds shines in the value category in that way - they aren't worth the $12.

I always had a soft spot for Harvey's - I like the fries and find the toppings taste fresher than most places which really elevates it, even if the patty is meh. Definitely above McDs.

I was never a fan of Wendy's, too greasy for my likes, particularly the baconator since you combine the bacon grease with the already overly greasy patties. I always end up feeling like crap afterwards.

Burger King is the worst of them, but I've grown fonder for it recently.

A&W is best for quality, but a teen burger combo is $13 now so you gotta be willing to shell out.

[casper]

What an awful name. I call it 'The Captain's Wart'

Even more awful is what they serve. Boiled Seafood with boiled sides, in a fucking plastic bag.


tripadvisor

Vile

OMG. Those are expensive ingredients that if properly prepared should be tasty. Who in their right mind would deliver them as takeout in plastic bags.

The Captain need to stick to fishing and stay out of the kitchen. Given he Captain is based out of Toronto not certain if he is even authentic.

[esquire]

I remember 99cent Big Mac deals, common in the mid/late eighties. There were no combos (called 'trios' in Quebec) back then....these came out around 1990, and a typical combo ('large' sandwich +med fries +med coke) was about $3.99.

Ha...it's amazing how those numbers can be seared in your brain. I remember in the early 90s a Quarter Pounder combo came to $4.27 with tax in Manitoba. It was a special junior high lunchtime treat :haha:

I would be lucky to tell you within two dollars what it costs now... like $10.99?

What an awful name. I call it 'The Captain's Wart'

Even more awful is what they serve. Boiled Seafood with boiled sides, in a fucking plastic bag.

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0f/00/ac/76/seafood-boil.jpg
tripadvisor

Vile

Hard pass. I guess some people like the novelty of eating seafood with hands or whatever, but I have never been despite having one in my neck of the woods for several years before it finally went under.

[WarrenC12]

Hasn’t the price of a Big Mac also not really changed much anyways? It’s been around $5 for as long as I can remember.

A Big Mac in BC is currently $6.08, as shown in the app.

[dreambrother808]

Some pics of the Apple Flagship unveiled:

https://images.dailyhive.com/20221117144741/apple-pacific-centre-store-vancouver-flagship-f.jpg

https://images.dailyhive.com/20221117143215/apple-pacific-centre-store-vancouver-flagship-50.jpg

https://images.dailyhive.com/20221117143153/apple-pacific-centre-store-vancouver-flagship-74.jpg

https://images.dailyhive.com/20221117143209/apple-pacific-centre-store-vancouver-flagship-47.jpg

https://images.dailyhive.com/20221117143203/apple-pacific-centre-store-vancouver-flagship-37.jpg

https://images.dailyhive.com/20221117143130/apple-pacific-centre-store-vancouver-flagship-41.jpg

https://images.dailyhive.com/20221117143148/apple-pacific-centre-store-vancouver-flagship-40.jpg

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/apple-pacific-centre-store-vancouver-flagship-opening-photos

[J.OT13]

What is that staircase? And what's its origin and destination?

[dreambrother808]

What is that staircase? And what's its origin and destination?

It at the back of the store and goes from the first to the second floor.

[zahav]

The new Apple flagship was a great idea for that corner, such a prominent Vancouver intersection, and replacing a rundown rotunda made it even better. I am surprised just how long construction took for a relatively simple structure, it was being worked on for so long you'd think it was much more elaborate design. But I actually think it turned out better than the renderings suggested, which is likely due to the high quality of glass and wood. IMO made all the difference between a meh building and one worthy of a flagship. I would have loved something super ground breaking and weird, but that really wouldn't have fit and probably never would have happened anyways

[dreambrother808]

The new Apple flagship was a great idea for that corner, such a prominent Vancouver intersection, and replacing a rundown rotunda made it even better. I am surprised just how long construction took for a relatively simple structure, it was being worked on for so long you'd think it was much more elaborate design. But I actually think it turned out better than the renderings suggested, which is likely due to the high quality of glass and wood. IMO made all the difference between a meh building and one worthy of a flagship. I would have loved something super ground breaking and weird, but that really wouldn't have fit and probably never would have happened anyways

There are large ads all over Vancouver for the new Ryan Reynolds Christmas film on Apple TV+, which launched the same day as the store opening.

I wonder if that was intentional, considering that Reynolds is a native Vancouverite.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

It's been good to see CBC doing some reporting on pricing in the retail industry these last few days. Sometime a sale is not a sale and retailers are becoming more and more sneaky. I went into Mark's work warehose recently. Guess the price reduction on the mens athletic shose in this picture:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52544210992_d6c523e035_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2o49Pjh)20220830_095932_HDR (https://flic.kr/p/2o49Pjh) by AJ Forsythe (https://www.flickr.com/photos/194233676@N07/), on Flickr

Well it wasn't $40.00. I stopped the sale mid processing as the cash register was indicating higher than I was expecting. I asked that they either remove the price reduction sign or remove the product from the shelf and they refused blaming it on 'head office'.

[Hawrylyshyn]

What an awful name. I call it 'The Captain's Wart'

Even more awful is what they serve. Boiled Seafood with boiled sides, in a fucking plastic bag.

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0f/00/ac/76/seafood-boil.jpg
tripadvisor

Vile

Imagine the amount of bisphenols you'd be consuming from this.... :yuck:

[Wigs]

Imagine the amount of bisphenols you'd be consuming from this.... :yuck:

"A little dioxin never hurt anyone" :haha:

[MonctonRad]

I must admit that this is the most unappetizing meal I have ever seen in my life. :yuck:

And the presentation............ :eek: :eek: :eek:

[manny_santos]

So I was driving along Marine Drive in South Vancouver on Monday, and what do I see? A brand new Quizno's that recently opened, in the recently built Fraser Commons. Based on the reviews, I'd say it opened in June.

Street View link (https://www.google.com/maps/@49.2110976,-123.0900627,3a,75y,340.8h,85.5t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sNL5TqZiqMPD6XG9FB49i-Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DNL5TqZiqMPD6XG9FB49i-Q%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D327.75455%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192)

I've only heard about Quizno's closing its restaurants over the past 10 years or more, and the one in New Westminster I've been to a couple times is very run down and looks straight out of the year 2000. Since when are they expanding again?

EDIT: Sure enough, there's an article about this; it's a prototype store, so it would seem it's a new concept for the chain that is being tested.

https://biv.com/article/2022/07/new-vancouver-quiznos-be-template-global-chain

[esquire]

So I was driving along Marine Drive in South Vancouver on Monday, and what do I see? A brand new Quizno's that recently opened, in the recently built Fraser Commons. Based on the reviews, I'd say it opened in June.

Street View link (https://www.google.com/maps/@49.2110976,-123.0900627,3a,75y,340.8h,85.5t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sNL5TqZiqMPD6XG9FB49i-Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DNL5TqZiqMPD6XG9FB49i-Q%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D327.75455%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192)

I've only heard about Quizno's closing its restaurants over the past 10 years or more, and the one in New Westminster I've been to a couple times is very run down and looks straight out of the year 2000. Since when are they expanding again?

Sometimes dying franchises get a second wind when a new master franchiser takes over and tries to resurrect the brand.

I must admit that this is the most unappetizing meal I have ever seen in my life. :yuck:

And the presentation............ :eek: :eek: :eek:

What, the plastic bag o' seafood parts doesn't whet your appetite? ;)

[manny_santos]

Sometimes dying franchises get a second wind when a new master franchiser takes over and tries to resurrect the brand.

There's also the nature of the Vancouver market; there are very few toasted sandwich restaurants here. Across the border there's Potbelly in Seattle and Portland, and there's also Jersey Mike's which is found all over the eastern US and has also made its way into London and Kitchener. We don't have that kind of competition in BC so that helps Quizno's, I suppose.

[esquire]

I thought Subway kind of pulled the rug out from under Quiznos once they started offering toasted subs back around 15 years ago. Seems to me that Quiznos started flatlining around then.

Speaking of sub chains, whatever happened to Blimpie?

[WarrenC12]

I thought Subway kind of pulled the rug out from under Quiznos once they started offering toasted subs back around 15 years ago. Seems to me that Quiznos started flatlining around then.

Speaking of sub chains, whatever happened to Blimpie?

My god Subway needs some competition. I'd love to see more Quiznos, or something like Jimmy Johns up here.

Even Panera!

[casper]

My god Subway needs some competition. I'd love to see more Quiznos, or something like Jimmy Johns up here.

Even Panera!

No question Quiznos is much better in every way than Subway. Strange that it has turned out that way.

In some European markets Subway bread does not meet the standards that exist to be labelled as bread. It needs to be called cake due to its high sugar concentration. The chicken is a product that we believe and hope originated from chickens at some point in its manufacture or at least a substantial portion of it. However it is hard to tell by taste. At least the veggies all appear to be natural food products.

[Djeffery]

As I get older, I'm less likely to eat a sub, but the latest brand we have been trying is Firehouse Subs. Reminds of Quiznos from 20 years ago. Quiznos eclipsed Subway for us back then, and Subway was that to Mr Sub in the 80's. I haven't had a Mr Sub in probably 35 years and it seems like most locations outside of a mall have closed. I have seen some open up lately though, usually as part of a gas station convenience store setup.

[casper]

As I get older, I'm less likely to eat a sub, but the latest brand we have been trying is Firehouse Subs. Reminds of Quiznos from 20 years ago. Quiznos eclipsed Subway for us back then, and Subway was that to Mr Sub in the 80's. I haven't had a Mr Sub in probably 35 years and it seems like most locations outside of a mall have closed. I have seen some open up lately though, usually as part of a gas station convenience store setup.

The only subs I have had in the last few years have been from a grocery store called 88 Market in Vancouver. There are Vietnamise subs. Bread is crusty and baked in house. They have a connected deli counter to the sub counter that has specialty Italian hams. Amazing how good a sub tastes with cilantro and shredded carrots and an Asian sauce.

[SpongeG]

I tried Quiznos a few months ago and It was pretty awful. Maybe cause we got takeout, and it was not very good by the time we got home, also they are very cheap on the toppings, a very small amount compared to Subway.

Safeway has some good sandwiched you can get made in store.

Does Mr Sub still exist in Canada? There is one still in Vancouver, pass it but never gone inside. Mr Sub was my first time ever trying a sub sandwich back in 1993 when I was living in Kingston, I was quite hooked after that.

[TownGuy]

^ Yep! Mr. Sub is still prevalent in Ontario.

[casper]

I tried Quiznos a few months ago and It was pretty awful. Maybe cause we got takeout, and it was not very good by the time we got home, also they are very cheap on the toppings, a very small amount compared to Subway.

Safeway has some good sandwiched you can get made in store.

Does Mr Sub still exist in Canada? There is one still in Vancouver, pass it but never gone inside. Mr Sub was my first time ever trying a sub sandwich back in 1993 when I was living in Kingston, I was quite hooked after that.

Yes, Mr. Sub is still around. https://mrsub.ca/

I agree Safeway is good. In Victoria I use to work close to a Safeway and would get one of the subs sometimes for lunch. The Vietnamise chicken. The Safeway stores in Victoria became Save-On-Foods and they lost access to the secret sauce. Stopped going there after that.

[Loco101]

I thought Subway kind of pulled the rug out from under Quiznos once they started offering toasted subs back around 15 years ago. Seems to me that Quiznos started flatlining around then.

Speaking of sub chains, whatever happened to Blimpie?

Interestingly the Blimpie brand is owned by the same Quebec-based company that owns Mr Sub as well as a bunch of other chain restaurant brands.

Link: https://mtygroup.com/nos-enseignes/

[hipster duck]

The sandwiches Safeway makes are pretty much the only reason to go to Safeway.

For Vancouverites, that Safeway in West Van in Caulfield Village right off Hwy 1 seems like it was made for hikers/climbers to buy sandwiches before heading up the Sea-to-Sky highway.

[manny_santos]

The sandwiches Safeway makes are pretty much the only reason to go to Safeway.

For Vancouverites, that Safeway in West Van in Caulfield Village right off Hwy 1 seems like it was made for hikers/climbers to buy sandwiches before heading up the Sea-to-Sky highway.

The Safeway in my neighbourhood has a fairly disappointing deli. I don’t think it’s a full service one like other Safeways.

[jamincan]

My favoured sandwich place in KW for the longest time was a local Italian grocery story, Vincenzo's, where you could get a sandwich made up at their deli counter for $5. I just checked, and these days it seems to be quite a bit more expensive, but it was a fantastic option and considering the sandwich quality, reasonably good value.

https://www.vincenzosonline.com/lunchbuilder/sandwich/

[esquire]

I've rarely ever purchased ready to eat food from Safeway, but I have definitely noticed that they have a bit of a cult following.

[manny_santos]

I forgot to mention Vancouver does have one really good deli/sandwich shop, on Commercial Drive - La Grotta Del Formaggio. They were closed for months due to renovations, but they re-opened over the summer. They don't do toasted subs like Quizno's, but their sandwiches are still worth the money. They're a full deli, they're known best for their sandwiches but you can also buy deli meats, cheeses, and some Italian groceries such as anchovy paste.

[WarrenC12]

I've rarely ever purchased ready to eat food from Safeway, but I have definitely noticed that they have a bit of a cult following.

They have/had amazing in-house fresh donuts too.

[SpongeG]

Yes, Mr. Sub is still around. https://mrsub.ca/

I agree Safeway is good. In Victoria I use to work close to a Safeway and would get one of the subs sometimes for lunch. The Vietnamise chicken. The Safeway stores in Victoria became Save-On-Foods and they lost access to the secret sauce. Stopped going there after that.

thanks for the link, the one on east broadway is one of two in BC, and the other is in Houston BC.

I wonder if Jimmy Johns will come to Canada. Bellingham has three, I do want to try them someday. They also have Port of subs down there too.

https://www.jimmyjohns.com/images/home/promos/combo_sandwich.png
jimmyjohns.com

[casper]

thanks for the link, the one on east broadway is one of two in BC, and the other is in Houston BC.
....

That one on Broadway has probably been there for at least 40 years. I remember the one on Broadway being there from when I was a kid. That said I don't think I have ever been inside.

[Acajack]

Word is starting to trickly out on the next-generation Zellers stores. One will be opening at Les Promenades Gatineau near my place.

[Luisito]

Word is starting to trickly out on the next-generation Zellers stores. One will be opening at Les Promenades Gatineau near my place.

So Zellers coming back is real? I keep hearing mixed messages about this.

[WhipperSnapper]

I think my last Subway sub is when they still cut the wedge out of the top of the bun rather than in half. Anywho, Subway was better than Mr Sub besides all the fixings being stuffed into the wedge. You can get sandwiches just about anywhere. They are as good, usually better than the chain sub stores for cheaper.

[WarrenC12]

I think my last Subway sub is when they still cut the wedge out of the top of the bun rather than in half. Anywho, Subway was better than Mr Sub besides all the fixings being stuffed into the wedge. You can get sandwiches just about anywhere. They are as good, usually better than the chain sub stores for cheaper.

Yep, agreed. A sandwich with fresh bread and ingredients is not to be underestimated! :D

[manny_santos]

So Zellers coming back is real? I keep hearing mixed messages about this.

Yep, there's been an announcement with a list of 25 Hudson's Bay locations that will host Zellers.

In the Vancouver area there will be three - Downtown, Guildford Town Centre (Surrey), and Sevenoaks Mall (Abbotsford).

[manny_santos]

Speaking of Zellers nostalgia, has anyone seen Son of a Critch on CBC? Last night's episode had a passing reference to Simpsons-Sears. That's one I haven't heard in ages.

[Djeffery]

London is getting one in the White Oaks Mall Bay store. Was curious which of the 2 Bays would get one, but I think White Oaks has a bigger Bay store than Masonville and also has a Walmart. Wonder how long before we see HBC take the big step and actually convert a Bay into a Zellers completely or open a Zellers elsewhere.

[acottawa]

Anyone think it will succeed?

The Target market niche has never really been filled in Canada (especially by target during their fiasco), so maybe if they can get it right, but a big if.

[SpongeG]

what is it going to be though? from the pictures and reviews I've read since they started opening some inside Bay stores, they just look like they sell Olympic mittens and Canada Shirts and toys. It seems like a strange idea.

https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/1614849537566474242/9KNbDOG9?format=jpg&name=900x900
blogto.com

homewares that the bay already sells just in a Zellers section?
https://cdn.strategyonline.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Zellers-store-popup.jpg?w=640
strategyonline.ca

https://retailinsider.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG-1002-1200x900.jpg
retailinsider

[casper]

Anyone think it will succeed?

The Target market niche has never really been filled in Canada (especially by target during their fiasco), so maybe if they can get it right, but a big if.

Depends. Are they duplicating product between Zellers and the Bay? Alternatively are they moving the move "value" product into Zellers and then leaving the high end designer product in "the Bay".

If they do that they may end up with two distinct brands, one that has the potential to go against Walmart and a second that competes at the higher end.

Target royally messed up their SAP deployment. That resulting in the wrong product in the wrong stores and lots of empty shelfs. Then there is all the other mistakes on top of that. The Bay has a working ERP system and logistics infrastructure. They are already one step ahead.

[SpongeG]

if they do come back with full stores they should try to do what Kmart does in Australia, they are great stores. Pretty much all in-store brands and merchandise and trendy, and people love it down there, they also had a target which reminded me of Zellers, Target doesn't have the cache or love down there as compared to Kmart.

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2020-12/15/0/tmp/bae355bd64c3/tmp-name-2-8449-1607993992-9_dblbig.jpg
buzzfeed.com

MLGsNFDaSK8

Sod4CkpnljQ

[J.OT13]

what is it going to be though? from the pictures and reviews I've read since they started opening some inside Bay stores, they just look like they sell Olympic mittens and Canada Shirts and toys. It seems like a strange idea.

https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/1614849537566474242/9KNbDOG9?format=jpg&name=900x900
blogto.com

homewares that the bay already sells just in a Zellers section?
https://cdn.strategyonline.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Zellers-store-popup.jpg?w=640
strategyonline.ca

https://retailinsider.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG-1002-1200x900.jpg
retailinsider

That doesn't feel like a Zellers at all. They slapped a bit of branding and called it a day. This is going to blow up in their faces.

[casper]

That doesn't feel like a Zellers at all. They slapped a bit of branding and called it a day. This is going to blow up in their faces.

Yes it is missing half empty boxes in hallway, outdated store fixtures overloaded with product and big walmart style signs with prices. They did bring back the red trim on the carpet.:tup:

This is what it use to be like (though I think it should have more red):

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Interior_of_a_Zellers_store.jpg
Source wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zellers

[Loco101]

Anyone think it will succeed?

The Target market niche has never really been filled in Canada (especially by target during their fiasco), so maybe if they can get it right, but a big if.

My guess is that it won't do well. Bringing back a name that failed is a terrible idea. And the company is mainly American owned and the top people are American so I just don't see it being loved. It likely won't even have the nostalgic things that Zellers used to have. And now they are competing against Amazon along with many more online retailers so good luck.

As for Target, I was recently in a couple of stores one in Michigan and the other in Ohio. I didn't find them to be anything wonderful and definitely much inferior to Walmart when it comes to prices and selection. They did have some nice selections of certain items that you might not find at Walmart which included a number of small appliances and toys. Both locations had CVS pharmacies in them rather than the store just having them under the Target name.

[SpongeG]

My guess is that it won't do well. Bringing back a name that failed is a terrible idea. And the company is mainly American owned and the top people are American so I just don't see it being loved. It likely won't even have the nostalgic things that Zellers used to have. And now they are competing against Amazon along with many more online retailers so good luck.

As for Target, I was recently in a couple of stores one in Michigan and the other in Ohio. I didn't find them to be anything wonderful and definitely much inferior to Walmart when it comes to prices and selection. They did have some nice selections of certain items that you might not find at Walmart which included a number of small appliances and toys. Both locations had CVS pharmacies in them rather than the store just having them under the Target name.

I go to target about twice a month in Bellingham, love them, you shop there for in-store brands like studio McGee, Hearth & Hand etc. They have some great dupes of Aesop in their Goodfellow mens line. The store itself is a disaster, its mostly empty shelves or boxes blocking aisles etc. Covid really hit that store and the mall it is in really bad, barely any employees.

I basically buy a basket each trip and some body washes and some candles, I find groceries and household goods cheaper in Canada.

https://corporate.target.com/_media/TargetCorp/news/2019/05/Goodfellow%20grooming/ABV_GoodfellowGrooming_header.jpg
corporate.target.com

https://lifeonvirginiastreet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/studio-mcgee-target-collection-1-683x1024.jpg
lifeonvirginiastreet.com

https://www.stacyssavings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG-9701-e1509900594828.jpg
stacyssavings.com

[Djeffery]

Wonder how long before Walmart jumps on the nostalgia bandwagon and opens Woolco sections in their stores lol

[megadude]

I bought black running shoes on clearance 15 years ago that I wore maybe 30 times. Then as I got older I realized that they were too tight and it's about style and comfort. Not just style. So I gave them away a couple years after purchase. I said I'll just get another pair on sale in due time. Well that due time took 10 years. I don't pay full price for almost all items of clothing because I feel like I can buy a more diversified wardrobe by paying half or more off for everything. So it took forever before I saw black runners with black soles that were stylish in Winners/Marshalls or somewhere on sale.

So many damn running shoes over the past 8 years(?) or so have white soles. They look great, but god damn, they take a lof of maintenance to keep white. And eventually there's a point you just can't keep the soles white.

I had two pairs of full white shoes back in the day. They both went downhill quickly. Then I realized I don't want white shoes again, no matter how cool they look, because I don't want to spend time cleaning them or thinking about where I can and can't wear them.

Finally, last week I saw another pair of dark and stylish runners at Winners with black soles. Some cool Puma shoes.

The black ones were $35 from Marshall's about four years ago. These grey Pumas were $50.

Anyone else think the same way about running shoes?

https://i.postimg.cc/2jHD0dt0/D56-A1577-EE1-A-4212-8-FC0-C0-E39-A42-C3-F2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)photo sharing software (https://postimages.org/app)

[Wigs]

thanks for the link, the one on east broadway is one of two in BC, and the other is in Houston BC.

I wonder if Jimmy Johns will come to Canada. Bellingham has three, I do want to try them someday. They also have Port of subs down there too.



Ugh hard pass :haha:
Eaten way too many of these when my folks lived in the States.

[kwoldtimer]

That doesn't feel like a Zellers at all. They slapped a bit of branding and called it a day. This is going to blow up in their faces.

That’s not nearly depressing enough to replicate the Zellers experience as I remember it in the years before they folded.

[Wigs]

if they do come back with full stores they should try to do what Kmart does in Australia, they are great stores. Pretty much all in-store brands and merchandise and trendy, and people love it down there, they also had a target which reminded me of Zellers, Target doesn't have the cache or love down there as compared to Kmart.

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2020-12/15/0/tmp/bae355bd64c3/tmp-name-2-8449-1607993992-9_dblbig.jpg
buzzfeed.com



This would be ideal. Modern, fresh looking stores that don't have to look like the bargain basement stores of Zellers last years in Canada.

Nice displays, clean looking, in contrast to Walmart.

[Djeffery]

I bought black running shoes on clearance 15 years ago that I wore maybe 30 times. Then as I got older I realized that they were too tight and it's about style and comfort. Not just style. So I gave them away a couple years after purchase. I said I'll just get another pair on sale in due time. Well that due time took 10 years. I don't pay full price for almost all items of clothing because I feel like I can buy a more diversified wardrobe by paying half or more off for everything. So it took forever before I saw black runners with black soles that were stylish in Winners/Marshalls or somewhere on sale.

So many damn running shoes over the past 8 years(?) or so have white soles. They look great, but god damn, they take a lof of maintenance to keep white. And eventually there's a point you just can't keep the soles white.

I had two pairs of full white shoes back in the day. They both went downhill quickly. Then I realized I don't want white shoes again, no matter how cool they look, because I don't want to spend time cleaning them or thinking about where I can and can't wear them.

Finally, last week I saw another pair of dark and stylish runners at Winners with black soles. Some cool Puma shoes.

The black ones were $35 from Marshall's about four years ago. These grey Pumas were $50.

Anyone else think the same way about running shoes?



My feet are size 15 so I don't get sale prices on the limited shoes I can buy. $85 is the best I can do for New Balance orthotic friendly runners. All black, I would never wear white shoes, mostly because of my work environment, but even if I had extra shoes for away from work, I feel all white would really stand out in my size lol.

[cslusarc]

Retail Insider reports that Hudson’s Bay To Shut Londonderry Mall Store In Edmonton (https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2023/02/hudsons-bay-to-shut-londonderry-mall-store-in-edmonton/) in August. It was estimated to do the same annual sales as the Shoppers' Drug Mart.

[Wigs]

any updates on the Zellers rollout? is there a fully built out store anywhere in Canada yet?

[esquire]

Retail Insider reports that Hudson’s Bay To Shut Londonderry Mall Store In Edmonton (https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2023/02/hudsons-bay-to-shut-londonderry-mall-store-in-edmonton/) in August. It was estimated to do the same annual sales as the Shoppers' Drug Mart.

I remember 20 years ago that store seemed kind of forlorn and neglected. There are a few of those zombie-like suburban Bay locations that opened in the 70s and 80s mall retailing boom that never really took off but aren't really dead... I'm sure HBC will be anxious to ditch some of those leases. Part of me wonders if HBC would be wise to come up with a sub-brand for those types of less than full range locations...save Hudson's Bay for the full-line locations. The half-assed stores should get a different identity... the rinky dink ones like Londonderry, St. Vital, or downtown Regina probably just drag down the entire brand.

Winnipeg lost two such locations years ago (Unicity and Kildonan Place) and I wouldn't be shocked to see St. Vital eventually disappear too leaving Winnipeg with just one location at Polo Park.

As for bringing back Zellers, it seems like a doomed move driven by sheer desperation. I get the impression that things aren't great at HBC.

[manny_santos]

I remember 20 years ago that store seemed kind of forlorn and neglected. There are a few of those zombie-like suburban Bay locations that opened in the 70s and 80s mall retailing boom that never really took off but aren't really dead... I'm sure HBC will be anxious to ditch some of those leases. Part of me wonders if HBC would be wise to come up with a sub-brand for those types of less than full range locations...save Hudson's Bay for the full-line locations. The half-assed stores should get a different identity... the rinky dink ones like Londonderry, St. Vital, or downtown Regina probably just drag down the entire brand.

Winnipeg lost two such locations years ago (Unicity and Kildonan Place) and I wouldn't be shocked to see St. Vital eventually disappear too leaving Winnipeg with just one location at Polo Park.

As for bringing back Zellers, it seems like a doomed move driven by sheer desperation. I get the impression that things aren't great at HBC.

I wonder how long The Bay will last at Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby. It's a smaller store dating from the late 60s (and still looks it from the outside), and whenever I've walked by it looks dead inside, certainly compared to the Guildford location in Surrey.

[kwoldtimer]

Nestle Canada is ending the sale in Canada of the Delissio, Stouffer, LeanCuisine, and Life Cuisine frozen foods brands over the coming six months. Can't say I'll miss cardboard tasting pizza.

[manny_santos]

Nestle Canada is ending the sale in Canada of the Delissio, Stouffer, LeanCuisine, and Life Cuisine frozen foods brands over the coming six months. Can't say I'll miss cardboard tasting pizza.

It’s not delivery, it’s Delissio!

It wasn’t bad pizza back in the early 2000s, compared to some of the truly awful frozen pizzas on the market back then - looking at Aloro. But Dr. Oetker is now the dominant good frozen pizza in Canada.

[WarrenC12]

Domino's is a low bar for quality, but they are cheap and dependable, probably even cost competitive with that frozen crap.

[casper]

Domino's is a low bar for quality, but they are cheap and dependable, probably even cost competitive with that frozen crap.

For cheap pizza of marginal quality it has to be Little Ceasers.

My experience with Domino's was from 30 years ago. I was so disappointed that I never considered going near anything associated with them again.

As long as Nestle is still in ice cream we are all good.

[Djeffery]

But Dr. Oetker is now the dominant good frozen pizza in Canada.

And made in London lol

[WarrenC12]

For cheap pizza of marginal quality it has to be Little Ceasers.

My experience with Domino's was from 30 years ago. I was so disappointed that I never considered going near anything associated with them again.

As long as Nestle is still in ice cream we are all good.

I did indulge in a few "$5 Hot n Ready" pizzes when LC was close to me, but they aren't anymore. Domino's is my go to.

Pizza Pizza opened close by, pretty much identical pricing, but just not as good IMO.

[Loco101]

It’s not delivery, it’s Delissio!

It wasn’t bad pizza back in the early 2000s, compared to some of the truly awful frozen pizzas on the market back then - looking at Aloro. But Dr. Oetker is now the dominant good frozen pizza in Canada.

Delissio is the exact same pizza as DiGiorno is the U.S.. It has a different name in Canada because in French "Giorno" sounds like "journaux" which is the French word for newspapers.

All of the Delissio products in Canada are made in the USA within the exception of the stuffed crust and mini pizzas which are made in Quebec.

I'm am very surprised that Nestlé will no longer be selling those pizzas along with Lean Cuisine as those items make up a lot of shelf space in so many grocery stores. My guess is that those products aren't very profitable anymore in Canada. Food costs in the U.S. have risen more sharply than in Canada and I'm sure that it is cheaper to produce the products in Canada so competitors have a big advantage.

[Wigs]

Stouffer's French bread pizza was an okay item in the States particularly when it was on sale for cheap.

I haven't had either in ages, but if one is getting Domino's or Little Caesar's get the handmade pan style for Domino's or for LC the deep dish.
Trust me, It's worth the extra cost imho.;)
https://i.ibb.co/9ZZvCtL/1.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/hdmcn2h/7b8c84dd-5044-4bef-8271-d7bc3cfbf62e-littlecaesarsdeepdish.jpg

[SpongeG]

I wonder how long The Bay will last at Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby. It's a smaller store dating from the late 60s (and still looks it from the outside), and whenever I've walked by it looks dead inside, certainly compared to the Guildford location in Surrey.

I wonder too but I think it's not until phase 3 or later that the store is supposed to get demolished and rebuilt into a different configuration that will house a moved London Drugs, a Nordstrom Rack, and a Saks Off Fifth, at least that was what was on a floor plan seen quite a while back.

But overall I often find the stuff I want at that store as it usually as items in stock that are sold out at other locations so it's handy for that. That store does have a newish off-price section that is in the former kid's section which was moved downstairs. It's basically like winners, most of the clothes don't seem to be sold at Bay stores. They really should promote it better. But overall the store is pretty quiet despite having a decent selection and stock in store.

[Djeffery]

I did indulge in a few "$5 Hot n Ready" pizzes when LC was close to me, but they aren't anymore. Domino's is my go to.

Pizza Pizza opened close by, pretty much identical pricing, but just not as good IMO.

My 20 year old son loves the LC hot and ready pizzas, I can't stand them, and usually feel terrible the next day. Pizza Pizza used to be the late night go to for a snack on the way home from a night out but that was for a slice. Honestly, I preferred McDonalds pizza way back as the late night snack. We have a local pizza joint we like to order from but if we get chain pizza, it's always Dominos as well. Part of it I will admit is goodwill towards the local franchisee who was really good to many of the "essential workplaces" during the early days of the pandemic, including my own, by bringing pizza in for the workforce. But that would only go so far if I though the pizza was crap, which it isn't.

[SteelTown]

First you took away my Ragu and now Delissio?! Ugh

[MonctonRad]

I've always had a couple of Delissio pizzas in the freezer for when I needed a quite mealtime solution, but they have been getting smaller and more expensive recently, so it is no longer an option for three mouths.

Lately I have been stocking up on "Motor City" Detroit style double pepperoni deep dish pizzas from Costco. They are quite tasty.

https://www.costcuisine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/pizza.jpg

There is of course no guarantee that Costco will keep stocking this pizza into the long term future.

[casper]

First you took away my Ragu and now Delissio?! Ugh

Well there are alternatives. Here is a Canadian in Belgium suffering from Dominos withdrawal with iffy cooking skills trying to recreate dominos. You could try creating your own version of Delissio....

OpZh3eanc14

[SpongeG]

this has become one of my faves in recent years, I used to really like Delissio but I find the crust can be too doughy and heavy.

https://www.hastycart.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20904520_front_a06_@2.jpg
hastycart.ca

[Nashe]

For cheap pizza of marginal quality it has to be Little Ceasers.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDFwybsXa8lqFsQdi_l7AcwYnN1AH7AD0nbKpRJ9SBvJ_QJXo2PRSMYlfeEZ8w-9Ma1es&usqp=CAU

[SteelTown]

Hamilton green-lights Tesla takeover of vacant CF Lime Ridge Mall space

https://www.insauga.com/hamilton-green-lights-tesla-takeover-of-vacant-cf-lime-ridge-mall-space/?fbclid=IwAR0owT2sx0Zg-XgXvYv1UpNyNlbTTlO14c-HGLlmYjrRiAgJJvdcay2mEoE

Hamilton will officially be home to Tesla’s largest Canadian retail and service location.

The city’s adjustment committee voted unanimously on Thursday in favour of a by-law variance, allowing for a 60,000-square-foot Tesla Centre at CF Lime Ridge Mall, in the space previously occupied by The Bay’s Home Outfitters.

Tesla had already signed a non-binding letter of intent with Cadillac Fairview, Lime Ridge Mall’s parent company.

Tesla Canada’s Sr. Real Estate Manager, Kyle Mazzone, sent a letter to Michael Peiser, Cadillac Fairview’s Senior Director of Development, on Dec. 2, 2022, stating that the company was willing to invest in Hamilton, but that it required the variance sooner rather than later.

“Time is of the essence, which is why CF Lime Ridge is strategically positioned, given that it already has ‘Motor Vehicle Show Room as a permitted use,” added Mazzon. “As we will be servicing and repairing electric vehicles, in addition to the sale of electric vehicles, we want to ensure that this is a permitted use.”

“The timing of the minor variance will be a major deciding factor of Tesla investment in Hamilton.”

The famous Hamilton Mountain mall is already home to a 20-stall Supercharger on its west side — opposite the impending Tesla Centre. The nearest existing centre is in Oakville.

https://www.insauga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/tesla-hamilton-e1673991215611.jpg

According to Tesla, the new centre will employ 50 people and operate Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

[jonny24]

I've always had a couple of Delissio pizzas in the freezer for when I needed a quite mealtime solution, but they have been getting smaller and more expensive recently, so it is no longer an option for three mouths.


I do the same thing, always a couple frozen pizzas for when we just can't be bothered to cook. Not always Delissio, but probably half the time it is. Even with two people we usually end up eating something else too.

My wife seems incapable ordering just one thing, so if we were to look to delivery pizza like others are suggesting, it's almost guaranteed to be pizza + wings + garlic bread, and now it's $25 instead of $4 so it's just not the same option.

But, Dr. Oetker is made in London and makes some good stuff, and I think the Irresistible store brand has some decent options too. Much like burgers, I can appreciate pizza of all tiers. I particularly like Delissio's sauce.

[esquire]

I seldom ever do frozen pizza, maybe just a couple times a year. Generally I will pick up Little Caesars instead. It's about the same price as frozen, and pretty convenient. Usually if my wife and I are doing a take-out meal that the kids won't eat (i.e. any kind of Asian food other than basic Canadian-Chinese) I will stop at Little Caesar's and pick up a pepperoni pizza or two for them :haha:

Their pizza is OK when it's fresh (similar to frozen pizza), but the leftovers are not that great. It doesn't reheat well.

[Nashe]

This is our take-out pizza of choice:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipNogXIA2l3WUMF9C9cfefYQjIxRmBJU64j8wWYO=s680-w680-h510

One of the few remaining "mom and pop" places that has been operating since 1969.

Otherwise, if in a hurry, it's an app-ordered pickup at Papa John's, usually, as it is only a few blocks from my house, and on the way home from work.