[Saint John] Retail Thread - Page 92

sailor734 · #**1821** Posted **Nov 24, 2025, 1:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkharbour

The Keg out East? I was really hoping they would go for a location Uptown, but I guess that leaves a better market for local restaurants which is a positive.

I would have thought uptown as a more conventional location too but they do have stand alone outlets in power centers (Dartmouth Crossing for one) pros and cons to each I suppose.

The Keg has always been an interesting restaurant to me. It kind of occupies a middle ground between the better mass market chain restaurants and the true "high end" steakhouses. I think it could do well here. I know someone who looked at a franchise many years ago but I heard the numbers were tight and the Keg organization itself had reservations about the Saint John market being able to support an outlet. I guess (hope) times have changed.

bingun · #**1822** Posted **Nov 24, 2025, 1:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkharbour

The Keg out East? I was really hoping they would go for a location Uptown, but I guess that leaves a better market for local restaurants which is a positive.

It could have been a great addition to Fundy Quay.

Halifax has one downtown and one out by Dartmouth Crossing, right, and Moncton's is downtown.

I had a look at Regina and Winnipeg, and both have downtown and further-out locations.

Taeolas · #**1823** Posted **Nov 24, 2025, 2:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingun

It could have been a great addition to Fundy Quay.

Halifax has one downtown and one out by Dartmouth Crossing, right, and Moncton's is downtown.

I had a look at Regina and Winnipeg, and both have downtown and further-out locations.

Maybe that's the ultimate plan. Get a location in a power center to build up a base in the city. Then when Fundy Quay is available for businesses, open a second location there.

DyAm00394 · #**1824** Posted **Nov 24, 2025, 2:46 PM**

Noodlebox is now open at 149 McAllister Drive, next to Tim Hortons.

https://www.noodlebox.ca

bingun · #**1825** Posted **Nov 24, 2025, 2:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Maybe that's the ultimate plan. Get a location in a power center to build up a base in the city. Then when Fundy Quay is available for businesses, open a second location there.

The supposed location at East Point is an empty lot currently, so it would require a new build. If that's the case, I think they would be committing to it for the long term.

The RBC has helped, and the two new empty units will hopefully be filled soon, but East Point still feels quiet, especially down by Indigo.

darkharbour · #**1826** Posted **Nov 24, 2025, 4:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingun

The supposed location at East Point is an empty lot currently, so it would require a new build. If that's the case, I think they would be committing to it for the long term.

The RBC has helped, and the two new empty units will hopefully be filled soon, but East Point still feels quiet, especially down by Indigo.

East Point includes Costco, which I would hardly call feeling quiet.

sailor734 · #**1827** Posted **Nov 24, 2025, 5:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Maybe that's the ultimate plan. Get a location in a power center to build up a base in the city. Then when Fundy Quay is available for businesses, open a second location there.

I think SJ has a long way to go before it could support 2 Keg locations. In fact, I wonder how close we are to the "go/no go" population/scocio economic level to even make them think one will work. Can't be over the minimum by much.

Pugsley · #**1828** Posted **Nov 24, 2025, 9:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Maybe that's the ultimate plan. Get a location in a power center to build up a base in the city. Then when Fundy Quay is available for businesses, open a second location there.

Yeah, I don't think we'll see two of them. If anything, I've always thought a Baton Rouge would be good on the main floor of Brunswick Square - given the Delta being there. That or another chain. I am a bit disappointed that The Keg is going into a newly-built space at East Point.

But I agree, when Fundy Quay is done...expect more dining options downtown! The more the merrier...lots of room for competition and diversity in the Uptown!

DyAm00394 · #**1829** Posted **Nov 25, 2025, 6:25 PM**

Vintage Pursuit is leaving McAllister Place. They are moving to the White Rose Car Wash building on Simpson Drive in January 2026.

Sabien · #**1830** Posted **Nov 26, 2025, 3:09 PM**

Not a great photo (very dirty windows and mostly covered) but here's an update on the Jysk store - shelving being installed. I think it's conceivable they could be stocked and opened before the Christmas shopping season is over. They'll need a lot of hands to get it done.

DyAm00394 · #**1831** Posted **Nov 27, 2025, 9:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Vintage Pursuit is leaving McAllister Place. They are moving to the White Rose Car Wash building on Simpson Drive in January 2026.

Update: Now they are no longer leaving McAllister Place. They are now staying put at their current location in the mall.

adamuptownsj · #**1832** Posted **Nov 29, 2025, 12:57 PM**

Not exactly retail, but I heard the Hilton will become an independent hotel relatively soon.

sailor734 · #**1833** Posted **Nov 29, 2025, 3:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Not exactly retail, but I heard the Hilton will become an independent hotel relatively soon.

Interesting. I wonder why?.....and if it's their decision or Hilton's?

This would seem to confirm the move

https://www.unifor2002.org/News-Room/Hil...airperson%20and%20Bargaining%20Committee

Edit....Now that I think about it I had family stay there about a year ago. They mentioned the rooms were getting pretty tired and shopworn. AI says the last reno/refresh was over 13 years ago. I wonder if Hilton gave Innvest the same kind of ultimatum that Fairmont gave the province on The Algonquin years ago?

DyAm00394 · #**1834** Posted **Nov 29, 2025, 4:26 PM**

Status update of the new McDonald's in Millidgeville. Contractor apparently said completion is targeted for December 14th, with opening day before Christmas.

(Photo is from Retail Talk & Share NB).

DyAm00394 · #**1835** Posted **Dec 12, 2025, 11:52 PM**

Mr. Pretzels is now open at McAllister Place, (next to Freak Lunchbox and Tip Top Tailors).

https://www.mrpretzels.ca

sailor734 · #**1836** Posted **Dec 13, 2025, 1:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Status update of the new McDonald's in Millidgeville. Contractor apparently said completion is targeted for December 14th, with opening day before Christmas.

(Photo is from Retail Talk & Share NB).

Signage is up as of today. Of all the new and innovative franchise QSR's around it's really too bad we couldn't have gotten something better.

bingun · #**1837** Posted **Dec 14, 2025, 9:51 PM**

I noticed the Toyota dealership on Rothesay Avenue is undergoing some renovations/construction. There was a sign out front with an image of what it will look like, but I didn't get a good look.

sailor734 · #**1838** Posted **Dec 29, 2025, 1:42 AM**

New Millidgeville McD's opening tomorrow AM. Let the traffic snarls and collisions begin!

DyAm00394 · #**1839** Posted **Jan 5, 2026, 10:24 PM**

Couple of new things:

A source has mentioned over on Retail Talk & Share NB that Domino's is opening a North End location in the same strip mall as Dan's Country Market on Churchill Boulevard.
Also, a different source said that apparently Clément, (a kids and baby store), is opening in the former Toys R Us at McAllister Place. Clément has recently took over the old Toys R Us space at Champlain Place in Dieppe as well. So it would make sense they also open in SJ as well.

bingun · #**1840** Posted **Jan 8, 2026, 3:10 PM**

Anyone driven past JYSK recently? I noticed job postings for some positions again this week.