New Downtown LCBO
 

The LCBO is opening a new permanent store in Jackson Square in the space beside Nations. It will be 5000 square feet. This is the same location that Jackson Square management has been trying to lease to the LCBO for several years with no explanation to the delays.

I posted this as a new thread because it is huge considering the beyond terrible liquor store we have had to put up with for the last half year and the terrible one that existed for years before that. According to store management, Jackson Square was classified as a 'B' store, but the new one will be an 'A' store. Their target opening is in december.

Friggin finally. Glad to hear it.

Yaaaaaaaaaaasss

what was the size of the old store by the corner of king and james?

also obviously it has something to do with quality but what are the exact differences between an "A" store and "B" store?

An A Store would be more in line with the one at Upper James and Fennell, whereas B stores are like the one at Dundurn or the Traffic Circle.

I'm assuming the LCBO at Meadowlands is an A store? My favourite store at Meadowlands. It used to be at Westcliffe Mall which was even closer to me but they closed and moved to the Meadowlands. The Beer Store still remains at Westcliffe, in fact it's being renovated.

I'm kinda disappointed myself. I was hoping it would move out of the mall, or at the very least, have street access. If this is the space I'm thinking of, it will have neither of those. It would have been amazing at James and Vine...

It does provide another generator for mall traffic though. Nations Fresh, the LCBO, and McMaster are 3 pretty big ones, or even 4 if you consider the new medical building across the street. Whether they translate into more shoppers throughout the mall remains to be seen (and maybe the LCBO won't do that as well as the others), but the opportunity is there and it may help draw better/bigger retailers back too.

More people working in the office towers would also be a big help of course.

Which unit is it. Is it at the entrance into LDJS on Bay?

I'm really happy about the choice of location in the mall. It will stir up traffic around Nations/McDonalds. I was walking through today and the hallway around the movie theatre is coming back to life. Bluenotes, the new SUZY store, Roots, ME (new clothing store) and a new natural food store really change the way that hall feels.

I'd imagine the area near the front will pick up when Mac finishes it's renovations and moves in.

On another note, does anyone know the extent of Mac's renovations on the building?

Yes, near the Bay entrance. If I am reading things correctly it will be at 07 in this map next to Nations:

http://www.realpropertieslimited.com...y-201409v2.pdf

Apparently their will be a separate recycling centre at the westcliffe Beer Store.

As for the LCBO, there is a liquor store in downtown Ottawa with a basement dedicated to wine, with some very expensive vintage bottles. I would say it is an A+ store.

I'm glad there's gonna be a nice new LCBO, I just wish it was on the east side of the mall and street facing. In a perfect world it'd be at York/James in the City Center.

That liquor store is great. They could easily have something similar at Jackson Square. They could have a vintages section either upstairs or in the basement. As for location, I don't care where they put it as long as it has a good beer selection and hours. Nations is open until 9 every day, so I hope it's safe to assume this LCBO will as well.

I'm not too heartbroken over the location either. I care that it's open till at least 9 (10 would be ideal like the one on Upper James or at Meadowlands, but that's unlikely)

Added bonus!
 

In the new location and should the hours be to 9 p.m. this totally enhances the lure of the business traveler.
Another nice bonus for anyone who is staying in the hotels in the immediate vicinity. Like the folks who come a day early or stay a day later for concerts or events.
Drop in after supper and pick-up something. Put your feet up after a long day and relax. No need to drive around in a strange city.
Also for the increase in local residents grab something to compliment what-ever you picked up at the grocery store.
Just being at the opposite end near the hotels and residental will be more inviting.
Just have to watch for the "King Cans" prior to events at First Ontario Place?

I would have preferred a street-facing store, but this is welcome news. Food and drink close to each other.

Really hope the beer selection gets better. James and Fennell store has made great strides in this regard.

Also, to be polite, I hope we've seen the last of the 'drama' that was a constant in the King & James location.

Are they going to keep the "mobile" Beer Store out front of the mall? :haha::cheers:

Thanks, unique shape will give it a lot of frontage. Unit 2 would have been better to spread the draw and give it some external exposure.

I think they don't want a street presence due to security concerns. That was the jist of what one employee told me when I asked about the James and Vine building. They seem to feel that downtown Hamilton is unique in its security challenges and that having a separate building would be too hard to police. They like Jackson Square because the mall cops are there and the Action squad are always close by. I think why not hire security if it's an issue - it's the same taxpayer that's going to cover it.