The Retail Thread - Page 8

YYCguys · #**141** Posted **Jul 26, 2009, 1:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by zooropa

for all those deep SE'ers...coming soon to 130th Ave, Indigo Books. next to Pro Hockey Life and Home Outfitters. I guess this makes up for the disappearance of Indigo from SouthCentre.

Lowes Home Improvement Store has also submitted a DP to CPC for a store in that location! The first in Calgary I believe.

Plus15 · #**142** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 5:23 PM**

FYI...some of the new, expanding or relocating tenants for "The Core" have been announced. From their website:

1. Access
2. Artizia
3. Bluenotes
4. Brooks Brothers
5. Chachi's
6. Club Monaco
7. Costa Blanca
8. Costa X
9. Cultures
10. Feet First
11. H&M
12. Holt Renfrew
13. Indigo Books & Music
14. Jugo Juice
15. Kernels
16. Koryo Korean BBQ
17. La Vie En Rose
18. Manchu Wok
19. Papyrus
20. Purdy's
21. Rocky Mountain Soap Co.
22. Roots
23. Swarovski
24. Tandoori Grill
25. Thai Express
26. The Body Shop
27. Villa Madina

Rusty van Reddick · #**143** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 9:45 PM**

My sister is a sales rep for papyrus- I hope this means she'll be coming to Calgary some times.

And INDIGO? A real one? I've noted that Coles relocated to the main floor of TD square and it's a pretty big space for a Coles- but to have a real full-sized Indigo downtown would almost make up for the loss of McNally Robinson!

freeweed · #**144** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 9:53 PM**

This may come across as a rather ignorant question, but here goes:

What's the difference between Chapters and Indigo? I've never really been in the latter, but the former is all over the damn city (I think I have 3 within a 5 minute drive of my house). Yet people talk about Indigo as if it's something to look forward to.

Aren't they basically the same store, owned by the same company? Am I missing something here? I fully admit I'm a bookstore heathen as I try as much as possible to buy my books at charity sales and such, so I'm not up on the current amenities that may be offered...

Plus15 · #**145** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 9:57 PM**

I would be willing to bet it will be a fairly large Indigo store (+/-15,000 squares), but that's just my speculation. The Coles on the main floor is only a temporary location, and will close when the new Indigo opens.

Banana Republic is relocating to a larger space and Gap and Lacoste are moving as well. With Indigo, H&M, Zara, Brooks Brothers, and of course the new Holts and Harry Rosen...the Core has got some great anchor tenants and the retail space between will fill in well.

Vascilli · #**146** Posted **Jul 29, 2009, 11:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

This may come across as a rather ignorant question, but here goes:

What's the difference between Chapters and Indigo? I've never really been in the latter, but the former is all over the damn city (I think I have 3 within a 5 minute drive of my house). Yet people talk about Indigo as if it's something to look forward to.

Aren't they basically the same store, owned by the same company? Am I missing something here? I fully admit I'm a bookstore heathen as I try as much as possible to buy my books at charity sales and such, so I'm not up on the current amenities that may be offered...

I'm kind of wondering too. There was a Chapters at Westhills, now it's Rona. (I think)

Yume-sama · #**147** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 1:16 AM**

Chapters was nice and warm and homey, with hardwoods and carpets, it encouraged people to sit down and read (almost like a library). People were sitting and reading at Starbucks, not buying. Indigo is cold, and dreary, often with bare concrete floors, and no chairs to sit. It is not as inviting, people want to get in and get out, with the books they paid for before their good mood is sucked out by the store.

Not surprisingly, they are more profitable, and are thus slowly replacing Chapters stores

Me&You · #**148** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 1:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vascilli

I'm kind of wondering too. There was a Chapters at Westhills, now it's Rona. (I think)

Really? Did that pre-date the Indigo on the north side of Westhills by Staples?

Vascilli · #**149** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 1:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me&You

Really? Did that pre-date the Indigo on the north side of Westhills by Staples?

No, they both co-existed for some time. I'm not sure how long, but I remember when I was 10 or 11 sometimes we'd go to Indigo, look for a book, then go to Chapters if they didn't have it.

SubwayRev · #**150** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 2:02 AM**

There was a Chapters in Westhills when it first opened...but it was not in the Rona location, it was in the location next door to the North. After Signal Hill Centre opened along with Indigo, the Chapters didn't last long...maybe a year.

Vascilli · #**151** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 2:15 AM**

I had a feeling Rona was a bit big.

mersar · #**152** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 5:32 AM**

Yep, Rona (that specific store actually started as Revelstoke store way back when) used to be only a part of the current store.

SpongeG · #**153** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 5:36 AM**

indigo was bought out by chapters near 2000 or so?

it was their competition

seems like Chapters took on a lot of Indigo type stuff afterwards - like the gift dept and more non book kind of stuff

the indigos here are really nice and have more pleasant layouts and just feel a lot better compared to the chapters

Rusty van Reddick · #**154** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 6:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

What's the difference between Chapters and Indigo? I've never really been in the latter, but the former is all over the damn city (I think I have 3 within a 5 minute drive of my house). Yet people talk about Indigo as if it's something to look forward to.

There are no Chapters in the inner city. I am happy to see either downtown. I am not more happy that it's an Indigo than I would be if it were a Chapters. I am happy because we're getting a large-format bookstore downtown (again).

They are indeed the same company.

freeweed · #**155** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 1:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by furrycanuck

There are no Chapters in the inner city.

Really?

I remember the McNally on Stephen Ave years back; that's really stupid to not have a large bookstore in the core. Considering how many Chapters there are out in the burbs - they're like a bloody Starbucks. Oh - maybe that's why there are so many.

octothorp · #**156** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 3:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

indigo was bought out by chapters near 2000 or so?

it was their competition

seems like Chapters took on a lot of Indigo type stuff afterwards - like the gift dept and more non book kind of stuff

the indigos here are really nice and have more pleasant layouts and just feel a lot better compared to the chapters

Actually it was the other way around: Indigo completed a hostile takeover of Chapters in 2001. Which is completely non-intuitive, because from our western canadian perspective, it certainly seemed like Chapters was the bigger, more powerful franchise. Agreed though: Indigo is a much nicer shopping experience than Chapters.

James77 · #**157** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 3:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by YYCguys

What a great location for a shopping area. Right at the entrance to the community, perfect for those commuting home to grab the things they need. Also a perfect spot for a refreshment after a great game of golf!

Is there any indication on when this will be completed (or is it even u/c yet?)?

My parents live out there, they built 8 years ago and even ag that time there were plans for the development. The main hang-up seems to be access into the shopping complex. The govenrment want access into the complex further into the community along Lott Creek Drive. The resident's that live opposit the development don't want this because of the increased traffic/noise in their back yards. They want the access closer to Highway 8 in Lott Creek Boulevard. The problem with this is that there is an interchange planned there. There isnt enough room for the interchange and access to the new complex along Lott Creek Boulevard. So until a compromise is worked out this isn't going anywhere.

CanadianTurbo · #**158** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 4:14 PM**

A couple of questions, is Zara going into the Core, I saw someone mention it, but not on that tenant list provided. Think this city could use more than one, maybe I am biased as I do a considerable amount of my work attire shopping there.

Also at Chinook mall there is some considerable development going on at the south end just out front of the parkade. I go to the Chapters Starbucks most mornings and so I have seen them build a stair well, a large cinder block wall and are now putting up steel, so just not sure what this is going to be?

Stang · #**159** Posted **Jul 30, 2009, 4:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

Considering how many Chapters there are out in the burbs - they're like a bloody Starbucks. Oh - maybe that's why there are so many.

I always shake my head at the proximity of the Dalhousie and Crowfoot locations. I suspect that before Chapters was taken over they decided that if they didn't fill both locations then Indigo would. Now they've got two locations 5 minutes apart, and they're owned by Indigo anyway...

unibrain · #**160** Posted **Jul 31, 2009, 4:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianTurbo

A couple of questions, is Zara going into the Core, I saw someone mention it, but not on that tenant list provided. Think this city could use more than one, maybe I am biased as I do a considerable amount of my work attire shopping there.

Also at Chinook mall there is some considerable development going on at the south end just out front of the parkade. I go to the Chapters Starbucks most mornings and so I have seen them build a stair well, a large cinder block wall and are now putting up steel, so just not sure what this is going to be?

I think Zara has taken one of the two storey stores in the Core next to H&M.

The addition at Chinook mall you speak of is a new restaurant called Chop.
http://www.chop.ca/