[Moncton] Retail Thread

[MonctonRad]

Retail Insider article about the impending Eddie Bauer bankruptcy, and the company's exit from bricks and mortar retail in North America.

Eddie Bauer Poised to Exit Canada as Store Shutdown Looms
Retail Insider
By Craig Patterson
Date: February 2, 2026
https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...-to-exit-canada-as-store-shutdown-looms/

At Champlain Place, the exit of Eddie Bauer will probably be good news for LL Bean

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Retail Insider article about the impending Eddie Bauer bankruptcy, and the company's exit from bricks and mortar retail in North America.

Eddie Bauer Poised to Exit Canada as Store Shutdown Looms
Retail Insider
By Craig Patterson
Date: February 2, 2026
https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...-to-exit-canada-as-store-shutdown-looms/

At Champlain Place, the exit of Eddie Bauer will probably be good news for LL Bean

That's a good point. They cater to a similar market and this could well drive the business of those who dislike buying clothing online to the Bean store.

[MonctonRad]

According to Retail Insider, Toys R Us has just filed for creditor protection.

There are only 22 stores remaining, mostly in Ontario ( from a peak of well over a hundred). They hope to carry on with a reduced store count, but, the creditors might just pull the plug anyway. After all, there are only 22 stores left. Would a chain of 10-12 stores in southern Ontario be worth trying to save?

I think Toys R Us is toast.

[MonctonRad]

Sobeys is planning on opening a Fresh Co bannered store in the Bedford/Sackville area in NS, There are no imminent plans for NB, but, I dare say we may see Fresh Co in all three larger NB cities in the next 4-5 years.

Fresh Co is the Sobeys version of No Frills.

[Taeolas]

Sobeys used to have PriceChopper in Freddy, but it closed about a decade or so ago.

Considering how successful the NoFrills expansion seems to be, it's not surprising that Sobeys wants to get in on it. For Freddy, they'd probably want to snag two locations at least; maybe one out in the new neighbourhood near the Co-op, and another on the Northside, on Main or Union street (maybe where Price Chopper used to be). Or up in the new development planned for the end of Cliff Street.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Sobeys is planning on opening a Fresh Co bannered store in the Bedford/Sackville area in NS, There are no imminent plans for NB, but, I dare say we may see Fresh Co in all three larger NB cities in the next 4-5 years.

Fresh Co is the Sobeys version of No Frills.

Sources working for Sobeys said that Halifax Regional Municipality is the only expansion planned for the moment. However, I agree that chances are we would see them in NB too at some point over the next 4-5 years.

Also to note is that the Bedford/Sackville area one is a Lawtons store being converted to a FreshCo. But the Lawtons pharmacy will be staying to serves as FreshCo's pharmacy for the location. That Lawtons location is on the smaller side apparently, (between 10,000sf - 15,000sf), so it will be one of FreshCo's smaller format stores. The source said there are two other HRM stores planned as well and will be brand new builds, exact locations not confirmed yet.

So, a Lawtons store conversion or Sobeys store conversion or brand new built stores could happen here in NB.

[Taeolas]

Not in Freddy it wouldn't.

The bigger Lawtons is in Brookside Mall which already has a Sobeys.

The other Lawtons is in Regent mall, right next to Walmart; I don't see that one flipping and Walmart would eat FreshCo's lunch. (Especially with Sobeys across the highway and NoFrills across the street in Cobert Centre).


As for Moncton, Google shows only 3 Lawtons locations.
The one on Elmwood already has a Sobeys next door.
There are two on Mountain.
The one on Mountain and Mapleton might be a contender. There is a Sobeys somewhat nearby but not that close, with NBCC in between. It does have Giant Tiger in its parking lot which may be a factor against it.

And there seems to be another Lawtons more focused on Home Healthcare closer to the core. That might be a contender if they were thinking of that; but they probably want to keep that a specialized store. Still there doesn't seem to be many/any grocers in that area so a supermarket might be something to do.

But yeah, otherwise Moncton, if it were to get FreshCo's would most likely get new stores built.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Not in Freddy it wouldn't.

The bigger Lawtons is in Brookside Mall which already has a Sobeys.

The other Lawtons is in Regent mall, right next to Walmart; I don't see that one flipping and Walmart would eat FreshCo's lunch. (Especially with Sobeys across the highway and NoFrills across the street in Cobert Centre).


As for Moncton, Google shows only 3 Lawtons locations.
The one on Elmwood already has a Sobeys next door.
There are two on Mountain.
The one on Mountain and Mapleton might be a contender. There is a Sobeys somewhat nearby but not that close, with NBCC in between. It does have Giant Tiger in its parking lot which may be a factor against it.

And there seems to be another Lawtons more focused on Home Healthcare closer to the core. That might be a contender if they were thinking of that; but they probably want to keep that a specialized store. Still there doesn't seem to be many/any grocers in that area so a supermarket might be something to do.

But yeah, otherwise Moncton, if it were to get FreshCo's would most likely get new stores built.

Doesn't necessarily have to be a Lawtons converting, just pointing that out that it seems to be an option. Even one of the Sobeys locations could possibly convert.

Regarding the Moncton area, couldn't the Sobeys at Champlain Place in Dieppe convert? It hasn't received any updating in a very long time. Plus there is already another Sobeys across the street from the mall that has received a renovation not too long ago.


Possible options for Saint John would be:
- the smaller Lawtons in McAllister Place could convert, there are no grocery stores present at the mall to object to this. Would compete with the recently opened smaller format No Frills across the street from the mall. Would mean this will be a smaller format store as the Lawtons at McAllister is over 12,000sf, they could shuffle some neighboring stores around to expand the space if wanted.

- Or the bigger Lawtons, (45,000sf), on the west side of the city converts. It would be across the street from the full size No Frills store at Lancaster Crossing for competition. About 10,000sf bigger in size compared to the No Frills, (35,000sf).

- The Sobeys on the west side, down the street from the larger Lawtons is also a possible option. Loblaws presence on the west side is with No Frills and Shoppers, Sobeys Inc is Sobeys and Lawtons. Could convert it to FreshCo so it's now two discount grocery stores and two pharmacies competing in that area of the city.

- The option I like most would be the Sobeys in the north end on Lansdowne Avenue converts to FreshCo. The discount banner will serve the demographic of the area better IMO. Plus that store hasn't been updated in a very long time.

- Or a new build somewhere.

[MonctonRad]

FWIW, Sobeys owns land in Magnetic Hill next to the Home Hardware.

I would imagine though that they would want the Fresh Co to be a little more centrally located, Magnetic Hill is literally a 20 km drive from the southern part of Dieppe, and, a long jaunt for the majority of the metro residents.

If I were to guess, if they were considering a conversion, the Lawton's on Mountain Road that also sells home healthcare goods could be a choice. It is a bit larger than a typical pharmacy and has a nice parking lot.

[Taeolas]

Yeah the Magnetic Hill area feels like it needs a full Sobeys store, treating the area more like a suburban retail node (which it is) than a community grocer. Had such a store existed before the Salisbury fire, I'm sure it would have seen a surge in traffic due to being handy to the town. Likely we'll see something like what went up in Elmwood, with the Sobeys at the back and a Lawtons closer to the road and room for a few restaurants or other smaller footprint retail places.

[Colouratura]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

As for Moncton, Google shows only 3 Lawtons locations.

And there seems to be another Lawtons more focused on Home Healthcare closer to the core. That might be a contender if they were thinking of that; but they probably want to keep that a specialized store. Still there doesn't seem to be many/any grocers in that area so a supermarket might be something to do.

If you mean the one next to the Scotiabank, that Lawtons Home Health Care is right beside Rinzlers grocery store. That would stink for them to put one in there next to a local chain.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Doesn't necessarily have to be a Lawtons converting, just pointing that out that it seems to be an option. Even one of the Sobeys locations could possibly convert.

Regarding the Moncton area, couldn't the Sobeys at Champlain Place in Dieppe convert? It hasn't received any updating in a very long time. Plus there is already another Sobeys across the street from the mall that has received a renovation not too long ago.


Possible options for Saint John would be:
- the smaller Lawtons in McAllister Place could convert, there are no grocery stores present at the mall to object to this. Would compete with the recently opened smaller format No Frills across the street from the mall. Would mean this will be a smaller format store as the Lawtons at McAllister is over 12,000sf, they could shuffle some neighboring stores around to expand the space if wanted.

- Or the bigger Lawtons, (45,000sf), on the west side of the city converts. It would be across the street from the full size No Frills store at Lancaster Crossing for competition. About 10,000sf bigger in size compared to the No Frills, (35,000sf).

- The Sobeys on the west side, down the street from the larger Lawtons is also a possible option. Loblaws presence on the west side is with No Frills and Shoppers, Sobeys Inc is Sobeys and Lawtons. Could convert it to FreshCo so it's now two discount grocery stores and two pharmacies competing in that area of the city.

- The option I like most would be the Sobeys in the north end on Lansdowne Avenue converts to FreshCo. The discount banner will serve the demographic of the area better IMO. Plus that store hasn't been updated in a very long time.

- Or a new build somewhere.

Completely agree with the North End Sobeys being a good opportunity. As you said, it has not been renovated for a long time. The local population would fit its target market, and the North End Plan is looking to redevelop that area, which could include this.

Somewhere on the peninsula would be awesome, but I won't get my hopes up there.

Despite being a relatively small store, I have really enjoyed having No Frills on the east side over the past 6 months. I can combine it with a trip to Costco and avoid Sobeys' high prices. That store is well-run, and there are some great prices on select items.

[josh_cat_eyes]

I know the Sobeys land next to home hardware was for sale for a while. Is there someone who can check if it sold and if so, who bought it?

Also I’ve been told that Freshco will have 3 stores in HRM, and that’s the only city in the region that they have plans for at this time. It could be some time before NB sees a store. However it is good that this brand is now in the region. It makes it more likely they we will eventually see a NB expansion.

[MonctonRad]

Apparently there is a nail salon moving into the former Blacks location at Champlain Place,

This is way down by Sobeys. This unit has been vacant for years, most recently being used as a staff lounge.

The nail salon is apparently a national chain, so, definitely not a local mom & pop operation.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Apparently there is a nail salon moving into the former Blacks location at Champlain Place,

This is way down by Sobeys. This unit has been vacant for years, most recently being used as a staff lounge.

The nail salon is apparently a national chain, so, definitely not a local mom & pop operation.

No man's land! That area of the property really needs an extensive revitalisation. It needs something major to draw people to that end of the mall.

[MonctonRad]

Eddie Bauer at Champlain Place will apparently close in April as the entire chain winds down operations.

Jeff Boucher over at Retail Talk & Share believes that Ardene will try to relocate into this space. They want a larger store in the mall.

If Ardene moves, this would free up an entire "block" at the mall for redevelopment (Ardene and three small long vacant CRUs in behind). Given it's location, this could even become an expanded court in front of the Sobeys mall entrance with kiosk based retailers (like Nespresso)

The former Shoppers Drug Mart is now under contract. A new retailer will be moving in there. He is speculating on Miniso. This would be wildly popular if he is correct.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Apparently there is a nail salon moving into the former Blacks location at Champlain Place,

This is way down by Sobeys. This unit has been vacant for years, most recently being used as a staff lounge.

The nail salon is apparently a national chain, so, definitely not a local mom & pop operation.

This national chain nail salonis apparently La Paige Nails.





They currently have five locations in the GTHA and are opening four new locations including in AB and NB

[Photo1]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Retail Insider article about the impending Eddie Bauer bankruptcy, and the company's exit from bricks and mortar retail in North America.

Eddie Bauer Poised to Exit Canada as Store Shutdown Looms
Retail Insider
By Craig Patterson
Date: February 2, 2026
https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...-to-exit-canada-as-store-shutdown-looms/

At Champlain Place, the exit of Eddie Bauer will probably be good news for LL Bean

Too bad you have to sell an organ to buy anything in LL Bean.

[MonctonRad]

Halifax Retales is re[porting that Olive Garden might be opening in Dartmouth Crossing in 2027.

Will a Moncton location be following shortly???

[josh_cat_eyes]

The site plan for the new No Frills development off of Vaughan Harvey has been posted by Jeff on Retail Talk & Share.

Also included in the development is an A&W, Starbucks and a dollar store which I believe to be a Dollar Tree. I’m also going to call it right now, Scotiabank will be relocating here too. This is speculation but it makes a bunch of sense.