General Updates and News

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by someone123

I'd like to see a more full-service downtown area with a wide range of stores beyond restaurants and boutiques. This has just started over the past few years with Pete's, Lululemon, Sleep Country, Urban Outfitters, etc. It would be good to have a full-scale hardware/housewares type store and maybe an electronics store. I could imagine these setting up in a new development like the Margaretta/Sister Site #2.

I'd love this too -- this is exactly what I'm thinking.

Pete's truly is a God send. And hopefully, as you say, a fuller range of service oriented retail shops open.

I'd love a Chapters, an urban format Futureshop (or similar), urban format Canadian Tire, around SGR/Barrington. Somewhere you can buy, as you say, housewares/hardware. It sucks having to walk all the way to Quinnpool, just to buy a proper broom or clothes hangers, for God sakes.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by counterfactual

I'd love a Chapters, an urban format Futureshop (or similar), urban format Canadian Tire, around SGR/Barrington. Somewhere you can buy, as you say, housewares/hardware. It sucks having to walk all the way to Quinnpool, just to buy a proper broom or clothes hangers, for God sakes.

Chapters was proposed as a use for the old Memorial Library building during the charettes about the future of the SGR area 6-7 years ago. The howls of outrage from the local intelligentsia/CBC/library devotees were something to behold. They did not want Heather's evil empire in their neighborhood wreaking havoc on their beloved local booksellers like Frog Hollow. I'm sure the same would hold true if Future Shop or CTC proposed an urban format store. Anyone remember the outrage a few years ago when someone posted a joke "Coming Soon" sign on the then-empty lot where the library now sits saying that a Walmart was coming? The Birkenstock brigade that controls the district apparently only buy local and only patronize independent stores run by kindly old shopkeepers who sip tea between customer visits.

[JET]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Chapters was proposed as a use for the old Memorial Library building during the charettes about the future of the SGR area 6-7 years ago. The howls of outrage from the local intelligentsia/CBC/library devotees were something to behold. They did not want Heather's evil empire in their neighborhood wreaking havoc on their beloved local booksellers like Frog Hollow. I'm sure the same would hold true if Future Shop or CTC proposed an urban format store. Anyone remember the outrage a few years ago when someone posted a joke "Coming Soon" sign on the then-empty lot where the library now sits saying that a Walmart was coming? The Birkenstock brigade that controls the district apparently only buy local and only patronize independent stores run by kindly old shopkeepers who sip tea between customer visits.

Don't know what you're on about Keith. Everyone knows that small independent businesses are never threatened by big business. Afterall, beloved local booksellers like Frog Hollow are still going strong, are they not?

[JET]

https://froghollowbooks.wordpress.com/ Well, it was six years ago, afterall. Anyone can misremember.

[Drybrain]

I think what's going into the old library is better than a Chapters/Indigo, but to be honest, I'd be perfectly happy with the latter too. It's a destination store for the local area. I'm pretty sure it'd be able to co-exist with Bookmark, since that's the only non-used indie bookseller left in town and they have a loyal client base.

A Walmart would be a whole other thing though--that really does have no place on a street like SGR, or anywhere nearby.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by JET

https://froghollowbooks.wordpress.com/ Well, it was six years ago, afterall. Anyone can misremember.

No misremember. They were specifically mentioned which was why I used the reference. You got a problem with that?

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

I think what's going into the old library is better than a Chapters/Indigo, but to be honest, I'd be perfectly happy with the latter too. It's a destination store for the local area. I'm pretty sure it'd be able to co-exist with Bookmark, since that's the only non-used indie bookseller left in town and they have a loyal client base

Do we know what is going there? I hadn't heard.

A Walmart would be a whole other thing though--that really does have no place on a street like SGR, or anywhere nearby.

Why?

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Do we know what is going there? I hadn't heard.



Why?

A large-format, all-in-one, low-budget retail destination like that really would be bad for neighbouring businesses... It's a suburban business model and really should stay out of urban neighbourhoods. I'm having a hard time thinking of any urban Walmarts or anything like that anywhere else...

As for the old library, isn't it pretty much a done deal that Volta Labs is going in there? Unless I missed something...

But city staff lifted their weird objection to leasing the building to Volta in favour of making the whole area a park, so their should be details coming soon about some kind of city/Volta partnership on renovating and repurposing the building.

[JET]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

No misremember. They were specifically mentioned which was why I used the reference. You got a problem with that?

Sounds like the "local intelligentsia/CBC/library devotees" were correct and the prophecy they were concerned about came true. Chapters continues to chug along, and Frog Hollow is no more. Even lefties get it right sometimes.

[beyeas]

I guess by definition, anyone not part of the “intelligentsia” (said in my best sneering voice possible) are the un-intelligentsia?

We all know the entire un-intelligentsia class are generally the disaffected right-wing, unable to move past the “good old” days when old white men ruled the earth, so they complain instead, often to tiny groups of Tea Party supporters, while avoiding at all costs independent bookstores and libraries that everyone knows are rife with Killer Stairs that are likely to wreak havoc with their hip replacement.

Given how packed the library is every time I am there, it is apparent that Halifax is full of granola munching commies.

[hokus83]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

A large-format, all-in-one, low-budget retail destination like that really would be bad for neighbouring businesses... It's a suburban business model and really should stay out of urban neighbourhoods. I'm having a hard time thinking of any urban Walmarts or anything like that anywhere else...

As for the old library, isn't it pretty much a done deal that Volta Labs is going in there? Unless I missed something...

But city staff lifted their weird objection to leasing the building to Volta in favour of making the whole area a park, so their should be details coming soon about some kind of city/Volta partnership on renovating and repurposing the building.

Down Town business were booming when we had a Eaton's in the heart of the city, I dont shop at wall mart but I'm in disagreement that big box stores in cities are bad for small business, people are going to pick and chose where they want to shop regardless of where they are located and a large group of people going to buy Object A from wall mart or another big store would be more likely to buy object B from a neighbouring small business

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by hokus83

Down Town business were booming when we had a Eaton's in the heart of the city, I don't shop at wall mart but I'm in disagreement that big box stores in cities are bad for small business, people are going to pick and chose where they want to shop regardless of where they are located and a large group of people going to buy Object A from wall mart or another big store would be more likely to buy object B from a neighbouring small business

I don't think the comparison works exactly--department stores are more limited in scope than a place like Walmart, where you can get everything from underpants to TVs to groceries to school supplies to books under one roof. People who live near SGR aren't going to drive out to Walmart on Mumford Road to pick up a litre of milk. If it's around the corner, they might.

It doesn't really matter what any of us feel about the effects of big-box on small business--there's hard data, in the form of real-world examples, of where big-box shopping has decimated retail districts in small communities. Urban neighbourhoods in larger cities are analogous.

[worldlyhaligonian]

I think at this point, Halifax just needs businesses downtown that last.

A grocery store in Scotia Square would be huge.

I get what both sides are saying on the retail debate (i.e. local vs not)... but I think that is the challenge of survival. Some of those bookstores referenced had very snotty staff that basically looked down on people... and talk about some sticker shock! There is no reason to support something just because its someone local who owns it. By the same token, look at Target's failure... they obviously did not understand their customer either.

In the end, if people want your product + service combination... you'll last. Its not up to anybody to feel obligated to support something, especially if some of the local businesses feel like a clubhouse instead of being inviting. The success of Pete's is likely due to walking a fine line of being local but also run like a business with friendly staff.

[hokus83]

Mayor was calling for more density and development in Downtown Dartmouth today http://globalnews.ca/video/1878457/halif...tPostID=6d2f757c4fd6a811891217a6da652243

[beyeas]

By Melissa Mancini, CBC News Posted: Mar 12, 2015 3:09 PM AT Last Updated: Mar 12, 2015 3:09 PM AT

Council will be cutting traffic lanes on Argyle Street in downtown Halifax to make way for a pedestrian thoroughfare as part of a trial.

The street, a popular nightspot with many bars and restaurants and home of Neptune Theatre, currently has one lane for cars to drive down. The pilot project, approved by council earlier this week, will make the section of Argyle between Blowers and Sackville streets pedestrian-only.
...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scoti...oroughfare-approved-by-council-1.2992439

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by beyeas

Given how packed the library is every time I am there, it is apparent that Halifax is full of granola munching commies.

A commie clubhouse perhaps? Not too surprising. Since they are always talking about "the struggle" perhaps that is why the Killer Stairs TM Regd. get such a warm reception from them.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Chapters was proposed as a use for the old Memorial Library building during the charettes about the future of the SGR area 6-7 years ago. The howls of outrage from the local intelligentsia/CBC/library devotees were something to behold. They did not want Heather's evil empire in their neighborhood wreaking havoc on their beloved local booksellers like Frog Hollow. I'm sure the same would hold true if Future Shop or CTC proposed an urban format store. Anyone remember the outrage a few years ago when someone posted a joke "Coming Soon" sign on the then-empty lot where the library now sits saying that a Walmart was coming? The Birkenstock brigade that controls the district apparently only buy local and only patronize independent stores run by kindly old shopkeepers who sip tea between customer visits.

I do think there is a conservative shortsightedness in Halifax, about attracting large national or international retailers downtown, out of concern for local indie businesses. Those are important, but if no local and independent businesses are actually providing the goods and services that are needed, we need to attract, invite, promote, national retailers to move in and do so.

I'm not fan of a Walmart downtown. But urban formatted shops for big box retailers is probably the future for those stores once Amazon kills all the big box parks.

(There is no reason to shop at a place like Dartmouth Crossing, when there's Amazon. It beats on pricing, and now delivery is so quick.)

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

A large-format, all-in-one, low-budget retail destination like that really would be bad for neighbouring businesses... It's a suburban business model and really should stay out of urban neighbourhoods. I'm having a hard time thinking of any urban Walmarts or anything like that anywhere else...

As for the old library, isn't it pretty much a done deal that Volta Labs is going in there? Unless I missed something...

But city staff lifted their weird objection to leasing the building to Volta in favour of making the whole area a park, so their should be details coming soon about some kind of city/Volta partnership on renovating and repurposing the building.

Pretty sure Volta Labs thing is a go. It's going to be announced jointly with City / Province. But I think they're laying some groundwork first. They probably have decided to do interior upgrades/rebuild before launching/announcing.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by counterfactual

I'm not fan of a Walmart downtown. But urban formatted shops for big box retailers is probably the future for those stores once Amazon kills all the big box parks.

This.

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

This.

While I would like to see this, I think that if gas prices stay low... people will continue to drive their SUVs to the nearby biz parks (close to their rural/suburban homes).

Its going to take a big cultural shift... which will happen over time. We have to realize that most of the areas beyond the cores of Halifax, Bedford and Dartmouth are populated by those who are not big fans of urban environments (may actually fear them, i.e. false beliefs about crime) and are oftentimes from other parts of the province or maritimes.