[Moncton] Retail Thread

[felip_ars]

Acadie Nouvelle and Telegraph Journal are reporting that the NBLiquor Experience store in the FiveFive building will become a more "accessible" store, and the "Experience" section will be transferred to the Regis street store in Dieppe.

No words yet on when the changes will happen or the main reason of it, other than they indicated that they want to "grow the visibility of the concept"

[MonctonRad]

When I read the article, I get the impression that the entire ANBL store at FiveFive Queen will be closed, although I admit the wording used in the article was a bit obtuse and open to interpretation. Was Acadie Nouvelle clearer on this point?

[felip_ars]

In Acadie Nouvelle, the translated quote is

"We are currently in process of converting the Experience boutique into a more accessible format"

They also stated that no job will be loss which lead me to believe that maybe they'll trade some of the Experience staff to the Regis street location and vice versa.

https://www.acadienouvelle.com/actualite...ol-nb-fermera-sa-boutique-haut-de-gamme/

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by felip_ars

"We are currently in process of converting the Experience boutique into a more accessible format"

When I see that, I read that they want the experience format to be more accessible, hence the need for a move.

By accessibility, I think they mean freely available on site parking.

Like I say, "open to interpretation."

[David_99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

When I read the article, I get the impression that the entire ANBL store at FiveFive Queen will be closed, although I admit the wording used in the article was a bit obtuse and open to interpretation. Was Acadie Nouvelle clearer on this point?

I just went to the source and asked. Apparently yes, they are 100% moving out. He said “something” will be replacing them but couldn’t be more specific.

[MonctonRad]

Tresselle is now open at Champlain Place.


Retail Talk & Share

[MonctonRad]

Retail Talk & Share is reporting that Wlld Wing Roadhouse
is planning a major Atlantic Canadian expansion.



This is an Ontario based chain with 101 existing locations in Canada from Montreal to British Columbia.

https://www.wildwingrestaurants.com/

The menu looks quite interesting. A definite competitor for St. Louis Bar & Grill

Their website lists a dozen Atlantic Canadian markets that they are interested in expanding to, including both Moncton and Dieppe. So, the possibility exists for two metro Moncton locations.

Jeff Boucher seems to think that one location will be on Mountain Road, but he is not sure where. If there is going to be a Dieppe location, I would wonder about the uptown area, perhaps the vacant restaurant pad in the recently opened Superstore plaza on Dieppe Blvd.

[MonctonRad]

A Mountain Road location for this chain is now confirmed.

Official announcement shortly.

[stephan.richard]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

A Mountain Road location for this chain is now confirmed.

Official announcement shortly.

Could Dieppe’s location be where Great Canadian bagel is right now or I would love to see Five Guys there.

[DyAm00394]

The Gray Group posted a new video on social media. Only 4 spaces left available in the newest building at Granite Centre.

[MonctonRad]

I see the new leased unit is a triple-combined unit. This smacks to me of Dollar Tree.

We know they are entering the Atlantic Canadian market. This would be an ideal location for their first store in Moncton - high profile and high traffic volumes. Also, there is no Dollarama in the Granite Centre, so they won't get blocked out.

Unless of course, this new combined store will be a Dollarama.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I see the new leased unit is a triple-combined unit. This smacks to me of Dollar Tree.

We know they are entering the Atlantic Canadian market. This would be an ideal location for their first store in Moncton - high profile and high traffic volumes. Also, there is no Dollarama in the Granite Centre, so they won't get blocked out.

Unless of course, this new combined store will be a Dollarama.

According to the newly updated brochure, (June 2025), the combined 3 spaces that are newly leased is only 3,068sf in total. https://thegraygroup.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Granite-Drive-June-2025-Brochure.pdf

I think that would be too small for Dollar Tree. However, Moncton will most definitely be getting one since Saint John is getting NB's first location this year according to the Blueberry Commerical Group. I believe Dollar Tree needs spaces closer to 10,000sf or larger.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by stephan.richard

Could Dieppe’s location be where Great Canadian bagel is right now or I would love to see Five Guys there.

I am not sanguine about the future of this building.

I have received further intel that the reason for the relocation of Great Canadian Bagel was due to rising rents. Perhaps Westcliff was trying to force them out.

The rumour is a mixed use development taking the place of this building (apartments above a commercial podium). Of course the fate of the commercial podium is up in the air. It could be a good location for something like Wild Wing or Five Guys.

The problem with Wild Wing is that this is essentially across the street from St. Louis Bar & Grill (their most direct competitor). They may want to avoid this. This is why I'm thinking more of an uptown location for their Dieppe restaurant.

Five Guys is a thought. The parcel that this building is on is separate from Champlain Place. Five Guys had been looking at Champlain, but was frozen out by exclusivity clauses. Since this is a separate parcel, those clauses might not exist.

[jnaygull]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I am not sanguine about the future of this building.

I have received further intel that the reason for the relocation of Great Canadian Bagel was due to rising rents. Perhaps Westcliff was trying to force them out.

The rumour is a mixed use development taking the place of this building (apartments above a commercial podium). Of course the fate of the commercial podium is up in the air. It could be a good location for something like Wild Wing or Five Guys.

The problem with Wild Wing is that this is essentially across the street from St. Louis Bar & Grill (their most direct competitor). They may want to avoid this. This is why I'm thinking more of an uptown location for their Dieppe restaurant.

Five Guys is a thought. The parcel that this building is on is separate from Champlain Place. Five Guys had been looking at Champlain, but was frozen out by exclusivity clauses. Since this is a separate parcel, those clauses might not exist.

Five Guys would be in tight with competition in that location with Sports Rock and all the other standard burger joints so close.

[drewber]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

According to the newly updated brochure, (June 2025), the combined 3 spaces that are newly leased is only 3,068sf in total. https://thegraygroup.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Granite-Drive-June-2025-Brochure.pdf

I think that would be too small for Dollar Tree. However, Moncton will most definitely be getting one since Saint John is getting NB's first location this year according to the Blueberry Commerical Group. I believe Dollar Tree needs spaces closer to 10,000sf or larger.

"Dollar Tree Canada locations consist of a basic store footprint of 8,000 square feet (with a minimum of 70 feet of frontage) to 15,000 square feet." either way certainly too small.

[MonctonRad]

Best Buy on Plaza Blvd is undergoing a forklift upgrade. All departments are being moved and refreshed. I was in there today,and everything is in upheaval.

I asked one of the clerks, and they expect the refresh to be complete by the end of August.

It was previously mentioned that the SJ and Freddy stores are similarly being upgraded.

[OUIR@random]

I had my first Five Guys meal several years (15+) ago in Philly and while it was awesome and still is, it is much more expensive now like everywhere else. I don't exactly know why it seems to be stalling in New Brunswick, several factors may be responsible. First the price, 2 combos for adults are now 40$ and + that is not cheap, it's not BK with their 2 can dine for 15$ deals, not everyone in the Moncton area want to or are willing to pay that price. Second, we are very well served by several burger joints in Metro Moncton. Three, it's American and that is a whole other factor to consider. Fourth, finding an ideal location, this seems to be another issue. Fingers crossed that it will happen, but I'm not too sure, I would love to see how the locations in Halifax and St. John's are doing. We might see some hints in those numbers. Are their success underwhelming?

[OUIR@random]

After visiting Farm Boy in Toronto, this is absolutely what should've opened at the old Cabela's location. I've been to Farm Boy a decade ago in Ottawa and it was great back then as well. Why oh why Sobeys, well Farm Boy would be a competitor for it's own Sobeys brand, why would a company hurt itself by going on its own turf? Farm Boy is much more niche, but it would've made so much sense in Moncton and so successful. I believe Farm Boy is not in the Maritimes because Sobeys is already so strong here and Sobeys much less so in Ontario. I'm not a fan of Pete's Frootique & Fine Foods, it's not even comparable. The last time I was there in Halifax, the selection was sparse and products were stale and not fresh.

[new kid in town]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Retail Talk & Share is reporting that Wlld Wing Roadhouse
is planning a major Atlantic Canadian expansion.



This is an Ontario based chain with 101 existing locations in Canada from Montreal to British Columbia.

https://www.wildwingrestaurants.com/

The menu looks quite interesting. A definite competitor for St. Louis Bar & Grill

Their website lists a dozen Atlantic Canadian markets that they are interested in expanding to, including both Moncton and Dieppe. So, the possibility exists for two metro Moncton locations.

Jeff Boucher seems to think that one location will be on Mountain Road, but he is not sure where. If there is going to be a Dieppe location, I would wonder about the uptown area, perhaps the vacant restaurant pad in the recently opened Superstore plaza on Dieppe Blvd.

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

A Mountain Road location for this chain is now confirmed.

Official announcement shortly.

Oh damn, I frequently had this on (or around) my birthdays. I would love to have them here in Moncton

Their Garpar fries are absolute fire

[Ozabald]

Originally Posted by OUIR@random

After visiting Farm Boy in Toronto, this is absolutely what should've opened at the old Cabela's location. I've been to Farm Boy a decade ago in Ottawa and it was great back then as well. Why oh why Sobeys, well Farm Boy would be a competitor for it's own Sobeys brand, why would a company hurt itself by going on its own turf? Farm Boy is much more niche, but it would've made so much sense in Moncton and so successful. I believe Farm Boy is not in the Maritimes because Sobeys is already so strong here and Sobeys much less so in Ontario. I'm not a fan of Pete's Frootique & Fine Foods, it's not even comparable. The last time I was there in Halifax, the selection was sparse and products were stale and not fresh.

In case you are not aware, Pete's is owned by Sobeys; since its aquisition in 2015. Agree that Farm Boy is a awesome grocer. Was in Pete's last summer when visiting Halifax (both stores). Found it to be a good shopping experience.

For the most part, Sobeys has done a decent job keeping the unique aspects and brand identities of the regional grocery chains it has purchased over the last decade: Thrifty Foods (BC), Longo's (ON), Farm Boy (ON), IGA (QC), Pete's (NS).