^Office building

Interesting, I'm not sure how much bigger the Walmart Supercentres are compared to a normal store but the Kelsey and Mount Pearl locations seem like they wouldn't have any room to expand...

They are using the space from the Auto center from what I understand and maybe building on also

Not sure if this has already been posted here but I read a few days ago that Second Cup location on Water St. has closed down. It's tough to see a major chain close up shop. Hopefully the locally owned ones are fairing better. It's a tough time being in the food and beverage industry right now, especially after coming off a 10-12 year run of record business.

EDIT: Just noticed this on the restaurant thread (which would be the appropriate thread to post in the first place ... :oops). Mods can move if they wish.

I'm new to the area and have been following these threads for a couple of years. Here is the URL for Walmart Renovations – 3196 (Aberdeen Ave, St. John’s).
http://www.olympic-construction.nf.c...rt_renovation/

This is a great find - and confirms that the Aberdeen Ave location will also be converted to a Supercentre. This makes three in total - I guess the Topsail Rd store will remain as is.

I think that the Topsail Road store is a little different since they lease that space from Sobeys. They don't have the full control over the building, etc. like in the other locations.

^Topsail Road is really too small of a store to be converted. Three out of four isn't bad.

I agree, a great find indeed. Thanks, CBSNewbie! :cheers:

Hello, long time lurker, first post!
I hope they can get the design of those Walmart sorted out in the remodel. I prefer the design attached just because it is centred, even if it is a bit outdated. I like the design of topsail better just because at least it's centred. Hopefully the other departments of the stores are expanded too! I've seen sometimes the mcdonalds is removed when Walmart remodels, hopefully this doesn't happen to Kelsey or Mt Pearl because it's a bit of a drive to get to McDonalds from those locations.
Also, didn't see it posted here but dollarama on rope walk is open, and it seems like the one in the old dominion/home hardware on topsail is open as well.https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api...57881722971382
Also apparently the rules say I need to credit the images so this was found on Google Earth.

Many of the Walmart Supercentre renos on the mainland have an extension built on to the building and a second entrance. The grocery section is on one side and clothing and general merchandise on the other with the checkouts in the space between the two entrances. From what I've heard, there will be no extensions to our Walmarts. The former Tire & Auto Centre will provide a little extra space as well as the elimination of under performing departments such as Paint. The rest will just be compressed a little. The McDonald's will remain and the Bakery will be near McDonald's and Fresh Departments along that side wall.

Well that's just dissapointing, especially seeing as there seems to be room for expansion at Kelsey and Stavanger. I checked out Google Street View of a Walmart in Halifax and saw what you're talking about on there (you can switch the date you view a building from on there). There were a couple that looked like our Walmart stores in 2009 but when I went to a more recent date, they looked like actual Supercenters.

Anyone who has travelled to other parts of the US and Canada know that our Walmart's here in NL barely qualify as an actual Walmart, let alone a Walmart Superstore !

Not expanding the actual square footage of the stores, and just cramming in more departments , does not make these Superstores.

All it will do is create an even more frustrating experience for people trying to shop there. It's bad enough now trying to get in and out of Walmart, with these changes coming, its going to multiple the frustration.

I wonder how many extra staff will be on the floors when all the changes occur ? Let me make an educated guess, and say ZERO !

You are right indeed. ....On every point.

Yes! Just because you have fruit and meat doesn't make it a real supercenter, real supercentres are actually super sized and have everything you need. Walmart has plenty of money, can't they afford to build on a section? There's a reason that the other three Walmart are busier than the topsail road location. We want big Walmarts with big selection!
When I heard the news about supercentres coming I was hoping for a mainland style Walmart with two entrances and basically a huge Walmart with a full grocery store attached. Not what we're supposed to be getting!

What did this say? When I try to download it it just says files have been deleted. :shrug:

The Churchill Square Dominion will be demolished and redeveloped, according to the allNewfoundlandLabrador (paywall: https://www.allnewfoundlandlabrador....ate=2018-02-16).

Sheilagh O'Leary is quoted, "I can't say who because I could actually mess it up, but I'm optimistic the application will be very positive for the area... Obviously this development agreement would entail that building coming down."

I can't read the article cause I'm not subscribed. Did it say what the building would become?

If Loblaws still own the building, I am guessing they would build a new much larger Shoppers Drug Mart there and close the small one in the Terrace on The Sqare building. Would make sense with MUN residences being next door. They would be able to sell much more grocery items with a larger drug store there.

Anyone know if Loblaws still own that property?

Yes, Loblaw still own it. Deluxe Drycleaner is moving to the other side of the Square into one of the now-vacant newly renovated areas from the damage last year, so the whole thing down to the Scotiabank is to be demolished.

Shoppers were supposed to be doing a complete rebuild of the store at Freshwater/Empire, don't know if they want two large stores within a Km or so of each other.

Would be wonderful if a Home Hardware moved in. Imagine, a hardware store conveniently located to the Churchill Park neighbourhood. How luxurious and practical.

I'm personally hoping for a grocery store. Maybe Loblaws could open up a No Frills there? Or a Colemans maybe.

Well we can be guaranteed that it won’t become a Coleman’s as long as Loblaws still owns the property.

My bet is still a Shoppers Drug Mart.

Time will tell.

I wouldn't be so certain about that. Remember that Loblaws owned the property which is now the Newfoundland Drive Colemans. As well, Shoppers is building a new store on Freshwater Road; I'd be very surprised if they also build a new store literally 2 minutes away.

I believe The General Inc owns the property on Newfoundland Drive. Loblaws entered a 25 year lease of the property in 1990, which expired around 2015. Prior to 2015, Loblaws essentially paid rent on an empty building to prevent a competitor from moving in. Since the lease expired, The General Inc has been free to lease to anyone, and we now have a conveniently located Colemans. http://www.thetelegram.com/living/pl...licies-133998/

I don't know if Loblaws leased the Churchill Square property or owns it outright. Apparently, the ownership and lease structures of major retailers can be complex: https://www.quora.com/Do-Walmart-Tar...r-their-stores .

I do believe that Loblaws only held a lease on the Newfoundland Drive property but did not own it and retained the lease until it expired allowing the owners to then seek new tennants. Same thing with the Ropewalk lane property. Loblaws only leased that property too until it expired.

They do however own the Churchill Sq property.

Shoppers built a new location on LeMarchant Rd which is only minutes drive from the Topsail Rd location, so why not build a new larger store where the customers are in a piece of property they own rather than pay rent in The Terrace in The Square? Of course, I’m only speculating here. Pure guessing. Either way, I hope something good happens with Churchill Square.

Walmart Supercenters
 

Talking to lady working in Walmart Mt Pearl about the changes. She stated that the Mt Pearl store will be completed first with a completion date of August 26 with the other two stores after that.
She said they are dropping the lights down, changing aisles so you could see across the store better. Those green signs in grocery will be gone. Lots of coolers and freezers going in.

http://markets.businessinsider.com/n...dor-1017427553

Cineplex is opening one of their new "Rec Room" entertainment locations in the mall early next year. I figured they would use the space from the Arcade/Glow Golf/Fog City area for this, but the article says it's going to be "nearly 30,000 square feet" and "Located at the north side of the shopping centre with access from the corner of Prince Philip Dr. and Kenmount Rd." Anyone have any idea where in the mall this is going??

An interesting find on the Crombie REIT website regarding the Avalon Mall expansion. The expansion will now include demolishing a portion of the former Sears section and then expanding the existing mall towards Kenmount Road. Phases of construction and opening of new sections will be in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Hard to say because it also says in the article...
"While this new entertainment destination will be adjacent to our Scotiabank Theatre St. John's, the success of The Rec Room in other Canadian markets proves that Cineplex is about much more than just movies," said Ellis Jacob, President and CEO at Cineplex.

walmart defines supercentres by products, services and hours offered not by the physical size of the store. They have also been moving on reducing the size format of their stores in an effort to promote online shopping, so if you can't find it in store you can order it online or get it shipped to the store and pick it up.

Cineplex Rec Room at the Avalon Mall -
They are taking over the Games arcade and FogCity and building a piece onto the Mall in the $6 M project. FogCity will move to a stand-alone building in the Mall parking lot.

Yes, but if they just cram in a grocery section to the current building, selection will be reduced. There's a reason people go to Kelsey or Mt Pearl instead of topsail: more selection in store.

Side note: anyone know the biggest Walmart in St Johns? I'm guessing Kelsey since it's the newest, but if anyone knows for sure that would be nice.

I just measured Aberdeen and Kelsey using a mapping app I have. Looks as though they are both approximately the same size at about 12,000 square meters.

i actually work at Walmart on Topsail rd and the store is doing amazingly. Last year (2017) profit sharing was the highest in Atlantic canada.

Interesting that we are getting Rec Room ...which seems to be only in a few large cities in Canada...yet no word on new theaters. Cineplex must see future growth there as oppose to movie theaters...

Still think a small 8 screen theater in Galway would certainly do better than Mount Pearl square.

100%. Mount Pearl Square never was much of an attraction and to call it past its prime is quite the understatement.
Still hoping the Cineplex that was planned for Hebron Way area will get built in Galway.

Here's a piece CBC did about the new Rec Room... where it's going to go, and what it will bring to the Avalon Mall.


http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfou...mall-1.4560176

This is the story I actually wanted to post. Thanks CBC website for changing it on me.
https://www.facebook.com/cbcnl/video...6314418412174/

Wow, really? Wouldn't have thought that. This is including places like Halifax? Have you heard anything about Topsail Walmart being renovated by any chance?

What's the name of that app? Can you check Topsail and Mt Pearl by any chance?

Re Avalon Mall

Heard that Winners is moving to the old Sears space once irs renovated, and H&M is going into the old Wimmers space

Pretty sure that is very very wrong. It has been basically confirmed that the Mall's plans for that space are to extend the mall into part of the old Sears space, and Crombie REIT's website now mentions that they also intend on demolishing another part of it and then extending out towards Kenmount Road. The Winners space would also be way too big for just a H&M.

"Crombie has negotiated a lease surrender of the 129,000 square foot Sears effective February 2018, enabling acceleration of planning to redevelop this section of the mall. This $53 million phase II redevelopment will involve demolition of a portion of the existing Sears and expanding the existing mall toward Kenmount Road. The redevelopment provides an opportunity to replace the former Sears space with new and/or completely renovated modern tenant spaces, common areas, and mall exterior. Construction of this phase will begin in 2018 with occupancy in early 2019 of the redeveloped Sears. Construction of the expansion area will continue throughout 2019 with occupancy expected in 2020."

There are three things in life: death, taxes, and H&M to St. John's rumors.

Stumbled across this website on development and chains. It has an article and some more artists renderings of the Avalon Mall new look.

Here is the link to the blog. You may have to scroll several pages to get to the article.

http://devandchains.com/exciting-dev...t-in-st-johns/

Nice find. Interesting snippet: "Crombie REIT is also redeveloping and currently leasing Kenmount Business Centre and Woodgate Plaza which were acquired in 2013. Both properties are adjacent to Avalon Mall and will be linked together in 2018 through pedestrian/vehicular bridges and a new Kenmount Rd. connector."

Also a render of new Woodgate Plaza: http://www.crombie.ca/property/woodgate-plaza

Thanks. Though it’s difficult to figure out what parts of the malls existing exterior are shown in the renders. Should be interesting nonetheless.

The Woodgate Plaza renders look interesting too. Looks like they may be demolishing some of that building too. I wonder how long ToysRUs will last now that the us counterpart is closing all stores?

"With the departure of Sears earlier in January, Avalon Mall will capitalize on the ability to downsize its footprint in one direction while expanding in another. The final result will provide 17,000 square feet of incremental space with improved access and visibility to enhanced merchandise mix and offer optimal configuration using a ‘race track’ to connect the lower level with the new addition."

Did anybody else get a bit lost trying to read this part? Or can someone who does understand this explain it to me?

Yes, the race track is what is interesting. But if I were to guess I think they mean that there will be a an "oval" corridor with stores on the outside and inside. Similar to the second floor. You have Sports Experts, Lawton's etc on the perimeter and then generally smaller stores on the interior.

Another mall I recall with what I would consider "race tracks" is White Oaks in London, ON.

http://www.whiteoaksmall.ca/usr/doc/whiteoaks_map.pdf

The area between Hudson's Bay and Walmart is what I would call a race track, then deeper in the mall there are other hallways that force you to circle around and the hallways intersect. You have stores on the perimeter and stores on the inside of the track. That's the best I can figure.

Just saw a for lease ad on Facebook for the grace building (285 water street) which I believe is the model shop building. Are they moving or closing? Looked on their Facebook and it looked like business as usual.

Moving to Kenomunt Road.