Yes - I believe many of the companies mentioned have been on thin ice for a some time. I think COVID-19 became a catalyst that accelerated the inevitable. Globally, the retail landscape is going to look very different in the near future.

Can't help but wonder if some of the stores that were opening in the Avalon Mall expansion will end up not happening - at least not right now. Several brands on that list are in the mall including
Nygard
Le Senza
Victoria's Secret
Le Chateau
Starbucks
David's Tea
Gap/Banana Republic (a combination store was previously announced)
Old Navy (store previously announced)

I suspect a combination of delays and reassessments made by corporate. Not just locally - this is a global situation.

Saw a Giant Tiger transport truck this evening. I had heard rumors that they were coming here but I didn't think they were close to opening. Anyone have an update?

Saw a sign at the intersection of Thorburn, O'Leary, and Larkall (aka the upper mall intersection) advertising that GNC is closing down, so that would be store on that list.

Michaels is now opened at Galway. Thought it was gonna be a much smaller store but it seems pretty close in size to the Stavanger Drive.

Confirmed The Brick is going in Woodgate Plaza

Basically screwed all 3 (jacks, trapped and narrows) from what i've heard from insiders, put an ad up a few weeks ago for staff for axe throwing showing pictures of jacks.

They are now eyeing the former Needs Location on Merrymeeting Road. Which seems like an odd place for such a business, but I guess they think it will work for them. This is the location where I thought there was approval for a few townhouses. Not sure what happened to that plan.

Looks like David's Tea won't be back. They are down to just 18 locations now and NL isn't on the list..

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/busi...-18-locations/

I’ve heard from a few people that Victoria’s Secret and Pink are not reopening in the mall. Does anyone know if that is true?

Can't confirm, but Victoria Secret was in a dire financial situation so it's very possible that they close stores including the Avalon Mall location.

VS/Pink is now closed permanently in Moncton. The only Maritime store now is at HSC in Halifax, so the Avalon Mall location may be toast too.

My thought is unsubstantiated but I figure that's the case. VS/Pink were in rough waters prior to COVID-19. I think COV-19 essentially provided a catalyst to accelerate the closures.

Spirit Halloween (or whatever its called) is going into the former Pier One location this year. You can see costume packages in the window.

Noticed that “The Brick” are now looking for staff on the local job sites for its new location on Kenmount Road, next to ToysRUs. Anyone know when it’s supposed to open? The exterior looks pretty much complete.

Can confirm that both Pink & Victoria Secret in the Avalon Mall are closed.

'The Brick' furniture store on Kenmount Road seems to be coming along nicely and quickly I might add. They recently listed job postings for staff so I assume it will be opening some time this fall by the looks of it. Probably gonna be a shot in a the arm for the former Woodgate Plaza site which is now owned by Crombie REIT, the owners of Avalon Mall.
Here are a couple of pics I took this past week.

https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...f4&oe=5F81CA02

https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...7e&oe=5F80A19B

The Brick / Crombie Reit
 

That's an attractive looking storefront, a vast improvement over what the building used to be. :)

Will Toys R Us get a refresh too?

I would hope so. Plus the Toys R Us logo has now changed and has a maple leaf inside of the R.