Retail News

[SteelTown]

One retail place I could see demalling is University Plaza. That's a place one should look at. With an LRT end point at University Plaza. I could see higher up brand locating at University Plaza, like Winners, Indigo and Pier One.

[Jon Dalton]

A new store opened on James South where Write Impressions used to be. It's called 'A Touch of V.' Yep, that's what it's called. Seems to be something home decor-ish.

[SteelTown]

The owners of Hamilton South Shopping Centres got a building permit worth $5,400,000.00.

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

The owners of Hamilton South Shopping Centres got a building permit worth $5,400,000.00.

This would be for the Moutain Plaza Mall redevelopment no doubt.

[SteelTown]

Yep. The other one is South Hamilton Centre, Fortinos and Zellers.

[hammergirl]

Bath and Body Works is coming to Limeridge (summer) and Mapleview (fall)
http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/shop...goryId=3395481

[realcity]

I was just at the Bookmobile stop in Westcliffe parking lot. they informed me that it won't be stopping there anymore. And the girl said, that it's one of the most popular spots. I asked if the mall landlords were telling the City to move? She didn't know. But it might be telling something about the future of that mall/parking lot.

[astroblaster]

Originally Posted by realcity

I was just at the Bookmobile stop in Westcliffe parking lot. they informed me that it won't be stopping there anymore. And the girl said, that it's one of the most popular spots. I asked if the mall landlords were telling the City to move? She didn't know. But it might be telling something about the future of that mall/parking lot.

[SteelTown]

Confederation Park Shopping Centres site plan



The corner building at the top is the location of the hotel.

[SteelTown]

City OKs two Wal-Mart proposals

June 16, 2009
Nicole MacIntyre
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/584090

Hamilton is getting closer to seeing a lot more Wal-Mart.

Councillors gave Smart Centres preliminary approval today to build a new Wal-Mart on Centennial Parkway near the QEW and expand its Rymal Road location to include a grocery section.

Both projects faced opposition from residents who questioned the impact of the big box retailer on the local community.

“Wal-Mart would be a devastating blow to our family business,” said Anthony Longo, who owns an independent grocery store on Rymal Road. “When one door opens, I believe several others will close.”

Studies show both commercial centres can be supported without having a negative impact on other retailers.

But Councillor Bob Bratina, who opposed the projects, quipped that if someone believe the findings, he has “some land to sell.”

“You’re making a big mistake,” he warned the planning committee, arguing the Centennial site could be better used to relocate the waterfront rail yard.

The east-end proposal calls for a $100 million mixed-use development on a 15-acre plot that includes the former Waxman scrap yard. It promises to bring $2.4 million in annual taxes and 1,500 jobs.

The complex will include office and commercial space, a hotel and a new Wal-Mart, which will be relocated from Eastgate Mall.

The land is partly zoned for employment, but council voted last year to ignore planning staff advice and convert it to commercial.

Environment Hamilton executive director Lynda Lukasik appealed to councillors to reconsider, noting the province raised concerns about the conversion.

Every hectare the city removes from its employment land bank means another hectare of greenspace will be converted to airport industrial park land, she said.

Lukasik also argued the proposal runs counter to the city’s commitment to build walkable communities. Many of residents around Eastgate walk to the Wal-Mart. When it moves down the road without bus access and past a rail bridge with no sidewalks, it will force people to drive, she said.

Councillor Maria Pearson said there are plans to redevelop Centennial and discussions are ongoing to make it pedestrian-friendly.

She supported the development, arguing it will bring much needed growth and jobs to the city. Smart Centres, she added, is the only developer willing to remediate the contaminated brownfield.

“We don’t want to see dirt piles left for another five years.”

But Councillor Terry Whitehead, who voted against the Centennial project, argued the committee was losing sight of its long-term goals.

A controversial proposal to build another commercial centre, including a Wal-Mart, in Winona is expected to return to the committee for more debate next month.

[jgrwatson]

Both projects faced opposition from residents who questioned the impact of the big box retailer on the local community.

“Wal-Mart would be a devastating blow to our family business,” said Anthony Longo, who owns an independent grocery store on Rymal Road. “When one door opens, I believe several others will close.”

Are all of these people complete idiots? What the hell do you think happened to downtown Hamilton in the FIRST place?

But Councillor Bob Bratina, who opposed the projects, quipped that if someone believe the findings, he has “some land to sell.”

“You’re making a big mistake,” he warned the planning committee, arguing the Centennial site could be better used to relocate the waterfront rail yard.

The east-end proposal calls for a $100 million mixed-use development on a 15-acre plot that includes the former Waxman scrap yard. It promises to bring $2.4 million in annual taxes and 1,500 jobs.

1,500 jobs?!!?! What jobs? Low-end retail jobs that people don't want anyways? Construction jobs - sure - but all temporary. You want REAL retail, employment land potential. Wal-Mart is not a viable employment strategy for ANY municipality.

Besides, hasn't this city heard of the Places to Grow Act? Intensification targets? I bet the entire site will be the same crap scattered all across the mountain - single storey, ugly, uncreative development.

Put the Wal-Mart on one of the vacant lots downtown!

[bigguy1231]

Jobs are jobs, beggers can't be choosers. Not all jobs can be well paying. Do you think that "real retailers" are going to pay anything more than minimum wage, not likely.

What the hell is real retail anyways? Anything but Wal-Mart. Sorry but not everyone can or wants to shop at local ma and pop shops. For the most part local retail shops are overpriced and have a much smaller product selection than the larger retail outlets that most people shop at.

Both of these proposals are within the current urban boundry in established commercial areas. I would much rather see developement in established areas than on newer greenfield sites like the Winona Rd. proposal. The site on Centennial Pkwy is a brownfield site that needs remediation, something that the developer is willing to do. It is a high profile site(expensive), that is more suitable for commercial uses rather than industrial ones.

I do agree with you about putting a Wal-Mart on a vacant lot downtown. It would bring thousands of people into the downtown. I'd like to see a few other large retailers do the same. Thats what is missing downtown. Wal-Mart has been building downtown stores in the US for the last decade or so. They are usually multi floor stores similar to old style department stores.

[adam]

What about things like buy local, support Canadian made, take care of your own, support your community? Everything from Walmart is made in China. How does that help out anyone in North America?

[SteelTown]

Originally Posted by adam

Everything from Walmart is made in China. How does that help out anyone in North America?

I've never shopped at Wal-Mart but I can pretty much guarantee that's a completely false claim though.

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by adam

What about things like buy local, support Canadian made, take care of your own, support your community?

That kind of protectionist sentiment is what has contributed to the shutdown of our steel mills.

[FairHamilton]

Let's keep things straight here.

The developer is doing clean-up at the site, and it's not all remediation, some is just capping the problem. More importantly, the developer is not paying for all of the clean-up as they are getting a grant from the city to clean up the site.

Don't believe everything you read about the largesse of the developer.

[Jon Dalton]

Walmart

(puke)

Now for some good retail news: James South Book Cellar is back. They moved upstairs in the same building, and are thus renamed James St. Book Seller. The S&M store moved into the basement. I had the privelage of meeting a relative of the proprietor of this establishment, and rest assured it is here to stay.

[emge]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

(puke)
They moved upstairs in the same building, and are thus renamed James St. Book Seller.

The S&M store moved into the basement.

Is it just me, or is this hilarious?

[SteelTown]

Winona Wal-Mart divides councillors
No agreement on development plan

July 06, 2009
Nicole MacIntyre
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/595077

A contentious big-box proposal in Winona is now dividing councillors, much like it has the community.

An attempt to allow the development to go ahead with conditions failed this morning after a tie vote at the city's planning committee. The matter will now be decided at Thursday's council meeting.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger appeared at the meeting to oppose the application. He said wanted to be consistent with his previous position that the land should be used for employment, not commercial.

Penady, the developer, wants to build an approximately 440,000-square-foot development, including a Wal-Mart, near Fifty Road and the QEW.

The proposal has divided the rural hamlet with residents arguing the shopping complex is either too big or desperately needed.

At a previous planning meeting, the committee voted to defer the application until more studies were complete. Penady argued the delay was unreasonable and threatened to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Yesterday, Councillor Brad Clark put forward a revised motion to permit the development with several holding conditions and new agreements about a transit hub and storm water management system. He said the new conditions eased his concerns about the development.

[SteelTown]

Winona Wal-Mart gets green light

Mayor, Terry Whitehead change their votes
July 09, 2009
Nicole MacIntyre
Winona's contentious $85 million retail development, including a Wal-Mart, has been given a green light.

Council approved the shopping complex in a 9-7 vote after several politicians, including the mayor, changed their positions.

An attempt to have council reconsider its previous decision to designate the land as commercial, instead of employment, failed.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who wanted to keep the land for industrial growth, said the decision was key and argued it doesn't make sense to reject the proposal if it matches the new zoning.

The case would likely lose at the Ontario Municipal Board, he said.

"Clearly the train has left the station," said Eisenberger, who voted against the proposal earlier in the week. "I'm not interested in adding extra cost to the taxpayers just to make a point."

Councillor Terry Whitehead, who was also opposed, changed his position for the same reason.

The councillors who continued to oppose the retail complex argued the land should be reserved for prime employment, not commercial.

"We have to have a vision. We have to look forward," said Councillor Robert Pasuta, adding he was sticking up for small business that would be hurt by the big box development.

But supporters argued the city couldn't turn away $1 million in new taxes and roughly $8 million in development charges.