[Saint John] Retail Thread

[DyAm00394]

A&W inside McAllister Place is currently closed and undergoing renovations.

[sailor734]

I posted this in the Uptown forum but I suppose it might more properly belong here.

Signage is up for a Ramen restaurant at 26 Germain and there are obvious signs of work inside. (Former Reggie's/Burgerology/Vegolution location)

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I posted this in the Uptown forum but I suppose it might more properly belong here.

Signage is up for a Ramen restaurant at 26 Germain and there are obvious signs of work inside. (Former Reggie's/Burgerology/Vegolution location)

Excited for this, wish they had a tentative opening date. I believe it was slated for June but my guess is maybe August or September now.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

Excited for this, wish they had a tentative opening date. I believe it was slated for June but my guess is maybe August or September now.

The last I heard was mid-July, and based on walking past, I don't think it will be too much longer.

[gtsoc]

Firehouse Subs on Plaza Ave had a lot of construction activity this morning - lots of appliances being brought in. Shouldn't be too long now that it opens.

[ivegotaname]

The only thing the city needs as far as culinary is concerned is actual flavour with the food you eat. Everything just doesn't taste as well anymore so bland now

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by ivegotaname

The only thing the city needs as far as culinary is concerned is actual flavour with the food you eat. Everything just doesn't taste as well anymore so bland now

Have you ever been to an Indian restaurant? Or maybe Taste of Egypt?

I think there's lots of restaurants in Saint John with lots of actual flavour.

I think what Saint John really needs is a good Moroccan restaurant.

[sailor734]

What Saint John needs is a good old fashioned diner/greasy spoon like Reggie's/The Burger Bar/Ken Grass's Fountain etc etc. The franchise QSR's just aren't the same and the Gastro Pubs are just too frou frou and pretentious sometimes

[ivegotaname]

Franks Finer Diner in fredericton awhile back is a place I think could rival Irvings big stop just wish it never closed

[Taeolas]

Originally Posted by ivegotaname

Franks Finer Diner in fredericton awhile back is a place I think could rival Irvings big stop just wish it never closed

Franks was good; not as good towards the end. At least we still have some fairly decent greasy spoons around. Including Joe's Diner, Log Cabin and Porter's Diner.

I'm sure SJ has some similar holes in the walls that only locals really know about.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Franks was good; not as good towards the end. At least we still have some fairly decent greasy spoons around. Including Joe's Diner, Log Cabin and Porter's Diner.

I'm sure SJ has some similar holes in the walls that only locals really know about.

We do, just not that much in the Uptown. Some examples would be Island Girls Diner, Bob's Corner, AJ's, East Coast Pub & Grill, K's East Side Cafe, Pub Down Under (two locations), and Tops (although not as much with the new owners and menu changes), that all fill the greasy spoon category IMO.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

We do, just not that much in the Uptown. Some examples would be Island Girls Diner, Bob's Corner, AJ's, East Coast Pub & Grill, K's East Side Cafe, Pub Down Under (two locations), and Tops (although not as much with the new owners and menu changes), that all fill the greasy spoon category IMO.

Of all of those Island Girls, AJ's and Tops (at least before the new owners) would be the only ones I'd call classic "diners". East Coast and Pub Down Under are more in the pub/tavern tradition and K's is more a breakfast place with an extremely limited lunch menu (they even close at 1:00 ) Bob's Corner is more of a take out (plastic cutlery and paper plates) also with a limited menu.

Unfortunately, none of the first 3, while OK, are what I would call outstanding examples of the diner genre and traditional menu although Island Girls probably comes closest.

Irving Big Stop menus are close but the food is somewhat institutionalized IMO.

[Taeolas]

Irving Big Stop menus used to be great; but in the past 10 years or so they "standardized" them to the point where they are just food now basically and seem to have lost a lot of their appeal. I know the last few times I've gone to the Blue Canoe or Silverfox, I've had a hard time picking something that really appealed to me.

Acorn (up near Kings Landing) used to be great before they flipped to Dennys. Now, it's just meh to me.

Of the Freddy locations I mentioned, Joe's dinner is very much a breakfast/lunch diner (but probably the best little nook in the city for a meal). Porter's Diner is more like your classic diner like Frank's was. Log Cabin sort've falls in the middle.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Irving Big Stop menus used to be great; but in the past 10 years or so they "standardized" them to the point where they are just food now basically and seem to have lost a lot of their appeal. I know the last few times I've gone to the Blue Canoe or Silverfox, I've had a hard time picking something that really appealed to me.

Acorn (up near Kings Landing) used to be great before they flipped to Dennys. Now, it's just meh to me.

Of the Freddy locations I mentioned, Joe's dinner is very much a breakfast/lunch diner (but probably the best little nook in the city for a meal). Porter's Diner is more like your classic diner like Frank's was. Log Cabin sort've falls in the middle.

I agree. Irving Big Stops used to be a real "country home cooking" vibe years ago......... Sadly, not any more.

[gtsoc]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I agree. Irving Big Stops used to be a real "country home cooking" vibe years ago......... Sadly, not any more.

I'll have to agree with you there ... stopped in at the Salisbury Big Stop a few weeks ago and it was just.. meh. Food was bland, service slow. Prices (like everywhere) have crept up. Before you could take a family of 4 to the Big Stop for a $50 bill.

[ivegotaname]

I certainly won't be buying pop and other snacks from Irving anymore. The pop was 4.50 I was like what the Fook i was expecting 2.99 plus tax n deposit even just the plain store in millidgeville. It's all sugar treats nothing in there is good for the soul and body. Way too expensive too ever-since couche tarde took over

[DyAm00394]

A few McAllister Place updates.

- A&W has now reopened after renovations. Now sporting a new updated design.

- Martin Max is now open at the former Coles spot next to Bluenotes. They are a local business selling 3D printed items, toys, gadgets, and office supplies. This is their 2nd location, the first one being at Market Square uptown. Their website: https://martin-max.com

- Toys R Us is still open and having "store closing" sales.

[DyAm00394]

The owner of Dan's Country Market will be opening another store on Bay Street on the west side. It will be operating under a different name though to avoid any confusion. This new store will be bigger and will offer more things than the current store like scooped ice cream. The north end Dan's Country Market WILL NOT be closing or moving.

[DyAm00394]

Signage is now being installed for Zesty Lemon's 2nd location at 533 Westmorland Road.



(Photo is from Retail Talk & Share NB).

[DyAm00394]

Current status on the new JYSK store coming soon to 384 Lancaster Avenue. A new big entrance is being built onto the front of the building they are renovating.



(Photo is from Retail Talk & Share NB)