Posted Dec 17, 2023, 7:00 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Saint John, N.B
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A new TJ article about things happening at Brunswick Square. They got confirmation from Slate that they are currently in talks with a number of new potential tenants who are interested in space at Brunswick Square. https://tj.news/saint-john-south/lawtons-to-move-up-a-floor-as-my-city-life-leaves-brunswick-square
Quote:
"Lawtons to move up a floor as My City Life leaves Brunswick Square.
Changes are in the works for the largely empty Brunswick Square, with Lawtons Drugs moving up a floor to the second level in the new year.
But the relocation will mean the departure of one of the uptown mall’s last holdouts, My City Life.
Store owner Mike Melvin said he received notice on Dec. 1 and has to be out of his second floor unit by Dec. 31.
“It’s more than a scramble. I really don’t think it’s achievable,” he said. “But we’re doing the best we can.”
In an email, Slate Asset Management, which owns Brunswick Square, confirmed the drug store will be moving.
“Lawton’s Drug Store is a valued tenant at Brunswick Square, and we are pleased to facilitate their relocation to a more active and visible site within the mall,” the statement said.
Melvin started his consignment store business, selling furniture, decor and antiques, on Princess Street in 2019.
He moved into Brunswick Square in early 2020, just six weeks before COVID-19 hit New Brunswick. In the very beginning, business was booming, Melvin said. It’s never recovered post-COVID restrictions.
He credits Brunswick Square for helping My City Life stay afloat over the past few years.
“They have been incredibly cooperative in regards to the rent that we’ve been paying,” he said.
“I think that they decided that it was better to have somebody in the mall versus the entire floor completely empty other than a bank and lottery kiosk,” Melvin added. “When we arrived at that mall, we were the last tenant in – every other space on the second level pedway was occupied. Now we’re the only ones left.”
“Their new space will place them alongside other businesses and retailers that are currently driving foot-traffic at Brunswick Square.”
Brunswick News reached out to Lawtons but did not receive a response by publication time.
He said he’s of the understanding Brunswick Square is undergoing a “rejuvenation” plan in 2024.
“And part of that is a renovation that’s going to allow Lawtons Drugs to move upstairs to the second floor.”
“The hope is to bring in other, more traditional-type mall venues,” he continued. “We’re not part of their long term plan.”
Slate Office REIT’s third quarter report released in November made note of a “portfolio realignment plan” that involved the selling off of 40 per cent of the REIT’s total gross leasable area.
But the REIT told Brunswick News last month that it “remains committed” to Brunswick Square.
“We have an active pipeline of leasing opportunities for the spaces in Brunswick Square, which we are evaluating and discussing with prospective tenants,” Slate said in the November statement.
The third quarter report indicated the mall is just over half occupied.
This week, Slate told Brunswick News it continues “to actively explore avenues to bring new tenants and shopping experiences to the mall and (is) currently in discussions with a number of potential users who are interested in partnering with us on space at Brunswick Square.”
Until the end of the month, My City Life will have all items marked down between 25 and 75 per cent, Melvin said.
“We definitely would rather sell it than move it.”
Added to the pressure is the fact that My City Life is also moving out of
Parkway Mall, due to a situation outside of Melvin’s control, after opening the second Saint John location earlier this year.
Melvin said he has irons in the fire and is close to signing a deal for one location, with other offers coming in.
He said plans are also in the works to open a thrift store called My City Thrift.
“Our new showroom is going to have new, top of the line appliances at $50 to $100 over costs,” he said. “We have brand new Canadian-made mattresses that we’re bringing in.”
Although Melvin said the timing of his departure from the uptown mall is tricky, he’s still thankful to Brunswick Square.
“We don’t feel bad about this,” he said. “We were sure that a redevelopment was going to take place at some point in the future.”
“We wish them all the best.”
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Last edited by DyAm00394; Dec 17, 2023 at 7:12 PM.
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