[Moncton] Retail Thread

[DyAm00394]

Update on Toys R Us. More people commented that the Champlain store got the call yesterday that they are closing. One person said the 23rd is the last day but another say July 3rd is the last day. So not sure which date it is lol.

Also Toys R Us Canada account over on X replied to someone asking if their local store in Fredericton is at risk of closing. They answered that they are happy to say that the Fredericton store will remain open.

[MonctonRad]

I am absolutely flummoxed that Toys R Us would close their flagship at Dartmouth Crossing, exit Nova Scotia completely, and close the McAllister Place location in Saint John (and apparently also Champlain Place in Dieppe) but at the same time keep the Regent Mall store in Fredericton open!

This makes literally no strategic sense. The two largest markets in the region are HRM and greater Moncton. These are also the two markets with the greatest concentration of destination retail. Why would they close their stores here?!?!

This decision seems rash and based purely on a cost analysis. Leasing costs at Champlain Place are well known to be high. The store in Dartmouth Crossing is a standalone, but perhaps they lease this building too. Sales volumes at McAllister Place were probably low. Perhaps on a pure cost analysis, these locations were considered non viable, but, Geez..........

If Regent is the sole survivor in the Maritimes (I don't know the status of the Charlottetown store), then, all of a sudden the supply chain becomes much more expensive and probably erratic. I doubt that Regent will survive long as the only store left standing.

[MonctonRad]

Time to talk about possible replacement stores for the TRU space at Champlain Place.

This is a big box space and will require a big box solution, but, who???

I've been chatting with Jeff Boucher over at Retail Talk & Share about this. He thinks this is an ideal opportunity for Playdium. I like this idea very much.

This is an appropriately sized space near the food court at Champlain Place. In addition the complex already includes a recently refurbished Cineplex eight theatre cinema including an IMAX. Cineplex often co-locates their Playdiums adjacent to or near their cinemas. This would be an ideal choice.

What other types of retail businesses might consider a space such as this?

As I said above, it would have to be a big box solution. Possible candidates could include (but are not necessarily limited to}:
- Uniglo
- Urban Barn
- Canada Computers
- Pro Hockey Life
- Decathlon
- Sail

I have less faith in Westcliff as a manager of Champlain Place than I did Cadillac Fairview. CF certainly was better connected, and, fairly aggressive in drumming up potential tenants for the mall. This will be a very challenging file for Westcliff to manage.

[emad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Time to talk about possible replacement stores for the TRU space at Champlain Place.

This is a big box space and will require a big box solution, but, who???

I've been chatting with Jeff Boucher over at Retail Talk & Share about this. He thinks this is an ideal opportunity for Playdium. I like this idea very much.

This is an appropriately sized space near the food court at Champlain Place. In addition the complex already includes a recently refurbished Cineplex eight theatre cinema including an IMAX. Cineplex often co-locates their Playdiums adjacent to or near their cinemas. This would be an ideal choice.

What other types of retail businesses might consider a space such as this?

As I said above, it would have to be a big box solution. Possible candidates could include (but are not necessarily limited to}:
- Uniglo
- Urban Barn
- Canada Computers
- Pro Hockey Life
- Decathlon
- Sail

I have less faith in Westcliff as a manager of Champlain Place than I did Cadillac Fairview. CF certainly was better connected, and, fairly aggressive in drumming up potential tenants for the mall. This will be a very challenging file for Westcliff to manage.

Maybe add Simons to that list...

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by emad

Maybe add Simons to that list...

Space is probably too small for Simon's (unless they expand the footprint).

Also, Simon's tends to be very slow and methodical in their in their expansion plans. I think they are currently looking at additional stores in western Canada.

I agree though that Moncton is a potential market at some point in the future.

[MonctonRad]

I just double checked. The Toys R Us in Charlottetown is already permanently closed.

Will Regent Mall be the sole survivor in the Maritimes???

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Time to talk about possible replacement stores for the TRU space at Champlain Place.

This is a big box space and will require a big box solution, but, who???

I've been chatting with Jeff Boucher over at Retail Talk & Share about this. He thinks this is an ideal opportunity for Playdium. I like this idea very much.

This is an appropriately sized space near the food court at Champlain Place. In addition the complex already includes a recently refurbished Cineplex eight theatre cinema including an IMAX. Cineplex often co-locates their Playdiums adjacent to or near their cinemas. This would be an ideal choice.

What other types of retail businesses might consider a space such as this?

As I said above, it would have to be a big box solution. Possible candidates could include (but are not necessarily limited to}:
- Uniglo
- Urban Barn
- Canada Computers
- Pro Hockey Life
- Decathlon
- Sail

I have less faith in Westcliff as a manager of Champlain Place than I did Cadillac Fairview. CF certainly was better connected, and, fairly aggressive in drumming up potential tenants for the mall. This will be a very challenging file for Westcliff to manage.

Here are several other possibilities (spitballing with Jeff Boucher).

- No Frills (I don't think this one particularly likely, Sobeys would object).
- Winners/Homesense (Moncton is nearing 200k and could have two stores)
- Old Navy (ditto to the above)

It could be that this space might fill up quickly, perhaps even before Christmas. I was surprised how quickly the Bed Bath & Beyond space was claimed by Mountain Equipment Company the other year.

So, there you have it, a list of 10 potential replacements for TRU at Champlain Place. I'm sure there could be others. My favorite would be Playdium. I think that coould be a tremendous hit!

[MonctonRad]

Signage for Thrifty's by Bluenotes is now up at Champlain Place (former lululemon space).


Retail Talk & Share

[josh_cat_eyes]

So it turns out the stakes they’re driving into the ground at the Dieppe Walmart is for a grease pit for the bakery. I was talking to the workers today.

[AGGUS]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

So it turns out the stakes they’re driving into the ground at the Dieppe Walmart is for a grease pit for the bakery. I was talking to the workers today.

So are we going to see an L shaped Walmart there as they extend into the now parking lot to expand the footprint of the store?

I'm sure the staff who have been moving things around over and over these past few months will be looking forward to... more movement.

[MaritimerJAB]

Originally Posted by AGGUS

So are we going to see an L shaped Walmart there as they extend into the now parking lot to expand the footprint of the store?

I'm sure the staff who have been moving things around over and over these past few months will be looking forward to... more movement.

The overall footprint of the store will be unchanged. The layout inside however is extensive. They demolished the old McDonald's space for added square footage. Relocated the pharmacy, vision center, service desk and every department in the store is moving. New walls, floors, ceilings, fixtures and more. Outside will get new colors and added signage. Inside will get a deli and bakery service counter like Fredericton.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by AGGUS

So are we going to see an L shaped Walmart there as they extend into the now parking lot to expand the footprint of the store?

I'm sure the staff who have been moving things around over and over these past few months will be looking forward to... more movement.

I think it’ll just be where they dump the grease at. Kind of a dumb location, but that’s what I was told.

[MonctonRad]

Toys R Us Champlain Place Update:

The situation is getting murkier by the minute.

There are many reports out there about imminent closure. I heard a rumour today about things being packed up already.

So, I went over to the mall this evening to see what was what.

- There are no store closing signs mounted in the store (as opposed to the situation at McAllister Place and Dartmouth Crossing).

- There were indeed empty shelves in the store, and they were definitely packing up merchandise.

So, I asked one of the people doing the packing up what was going on. I said "so, it's true that you are closing." This clerk emphatically denied that the store was closing. She said they were packing up so that the store could be reorganized to include a Wonder Lab (Play Lab).

https://www.toysrus.ca/en/playlab-indoor...kCHirHlrtd4Vfyf0aO-yxsjw2tKtko-H9vFKDqYF

She then went on to disparage social media about spreading false rumours

Her answer to my question seems to be at odds with a lot of other comments on the fate of TRU, some of which mention discussions with store employees upset about losing their jobs.

So, which scenario is the correct one?

Does anyone know the real story????

[MonctonRad]

Other Champlain Place News:

1) - Starbucks new location across from Pur & Simple is likely opening this weekend. The store is fully stocked and just about ready to go.
2) - Thrifty's by Bluenotes is nearly ready to open. Shelves are being stocked.
3) - Spirit Hallowe'en will open their seasonal store at Champlain Place this year. I am not 100% sure where, but, the former Shoppers Drug Mart seems likely. Of course, depending on the fate of Toys R Us, they could easily occupy this space as well.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Other Champlain Place News:

1) - Starbucks new location across from Pur & Simple is likely opening this weekend. The store is fully stocked and just about ready to go.
2) - Thrifty's by Bluenotes is nearly ready to open. Shelves are being stocked.
3) - Spirit Hallowe'en will open their seasonal store at Champlain Place this year. I am not 100% sure where, but, the former Shoppers Drug Mart seems likely. Of course, depending on the fate of Toys R Us, they could easily occupy this space as well.

I’m really surprised the mall would go after Spirt Halloween. I did see that they posted the store manager job recently. At least it’ll have heat though, last years location didn’t even have any heat.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

I’m really surprised the mall would go after Spirt Halloween. I did see that they posted the store manager job recently. At least it’ll have heat though, last years location didn’t even have any heat.

Cadillac Fairview would never have countenanced the idea of a Spirit Hallowe'en in any of their properties!!!

Westcliff is obviously less picky.........

This may not be a good thing. It is still early in the game. Leases are often long term. It may not be for another 10 years before we see what the ultimate fate of Champlain Place will be.

I suspect it may not quite be as high class as it once aspired being..........

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Cadillac Fairview would never have countenanced the idea of a Spirit Hallowe'en in any of their properties!!!

Westcliff is obviously less picky.........

I just read on Halifax ReTales that there is a tattoo parlour going into MicMac Mall.

At least Westcliff hasn't stooped that low.........

- The relocated Starbucks at Champlain Place opened today. It was quite busy.
- Thrifty's apparently opens tomorrow
- There are still no store closing signs at Toys R Us. I am beginning to think that perhaps it did indeed survive the purge.

News 91.9 has this posted on their news site:

Some Toys “R” Us stores across the Maritimes are preparing to shut their doors for good.

Shoppers have reported that official closing signs are up at the Saint John store in New Brunswick and the Dartmouth Crossing location in Nova Scotia.

In Dieppe, clearance signs and bare shelves have been observed, but the fate of this location is still up in the air.

There is also uncertainty about the company’s Fredericton location, the lone other Toys “R” Us in the region.

It sounds like they generated this story from social media.

Still, they did contact Toys R Us for a statement, and they got a terse "no comment" in return.

But, both Regent and Champlain are not displaying "stores closing signs." TRU did respond to a social media query saying that the Regent Mall location was staying open, and I was told the other night by a store employee that they were reorganizing to make space for a "Play Lab." One would think if the Freddy and Dieppe locations were closing, we would know by now.

[Taeolas]

Yeah I was at Regent today and ducked in briefly. Felt like the store might have a hiccup with their AC systems; the inside of the store was rather muggy.

But the shelves seemed quite filled and there were no indicators of closing. In fact, the Regent TRU just got their HMV outlet as well, which really helped fill in the space.

The mall itself seemed surprisingly quiet for a late Saturday afternoon; probably a factor of the gorgeous weather all things considered.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

But, both Regent and Champlain are not displaying "stores closing signs." TRU did respond to a social media query saying that the Regent Mall location was staying open, and I was told the other night by a store employee that they were reorganizing to make space for a "Play Lab." One would think if the Freddy and Dieppe locations were closing, we would know by now.

Final Toys R Us comment.

It appears Champlain Place location is closing immediately.

The entire saga has been poorly communicated to store employees, hence the mixed messages. As of most recently, employees are being told to just say "no comment."

Toys R Us is in extremis. They are closing down any store not performing well, or, if there is any other reason where closure makes good sense.

As for Champlain Place, the lease is up end of June. The choice was to close now, or sign up for another term. Toys R Us is not willing to do that because of their precarious financial state. Regent Mall location does not have a hard deadline like this therefore will stay open "for the time being." I have no confidence in the long term viability of the Regent location, especially since it is the only survivor in the region.

Because the Champlain Place store has to vacate immediately, there will be no closing sale.

I believe this to be the true and final story, Unless there is a miracle, I will not comment further.

I just received a new message - apparently there is a new tenant that wants access to the unit by July 1st. This is likely Spirit Hallowe'en (this is an educated guess). This will keep the unit occupied for four months (maybe seven if it shifts over to Spirit Christmas after the end of October). This will give Westcliff a half year to find a new tenant for the space.

[MonctonRad]

Apparently Recipes Unlimited (Montana's, Kelsey's, East Side Mario, Keg etc), has purchased Olive Garden in Canada, and plans to open up 30 more locations over the next 10 years.

There are currently eight Olive Garden restaurants in Canada, all in the three westernmost provinces.

I would imagine the vast majority of new restaurants will be in southern Ontario, Alberta and BC, but, with 38 restaurants, there is a strong likelihood of a restaurant in HRM, and an outside chance of a restaurant in greater Moncton.