London's Malls

[MolsonExport]

Beer Store to close Wonderland and Gainsborough location

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Beer Store to close Wonderland and Gainsborough location

Looks like it's already shut from that link

"The Beer Store says the outlet, located behind Sherwood Forest Mall, will close effective Nov. 2, 2025."

This was the only store in town where I could find lots of different German beer in 2-4s. I bought a ton of different cases during the tax break as they never go on sale so that was the best chance I had.

I still have some supply left, and after that I now know what brews are good / worth it, and this was the only location in town to get them in decent quantities.

We need other stores to step up and offer more selection. I get it will take time for existing stores to retrofit enough space to offer more than just Bud and Blue, but until then there's a gap.

LCBO should really give us a 2-4 discount if we're buying 24 singles.

[MolsonExport]

Ontario beer pricing is bizarre, and rather expensive.

When I lived in BC, it was even worse.

Quebec gets it right.

[GreatTallNorth2]

There is a very large retail space in Masonville next to H&M that is under construction. The windows are covered so no idea who it is, but if I was guessing I would say it is a perfect space for Uniqlo.

[Spoofy]

Originally Posted by GreatTallNorth2

There is a very large retail space in Masonville next to H&M that is under construction. The windows are covered so no idea who it is, but if I was guessing I would say it is a perfect space for Uniqlo.

Based on the recent Building permits on the citys property inquiry system, I dont see any mention of Uniqlo but there is permits for Hollister, Abercrombie & Finch, and Knix. Those are all clothing stores so I can see any of them going into there.

[london91]

Didn't the gap close too?

[GreatTallNorth2]

It appears The Gap is closed, not sure where it was even located in the mall. Having Hollister and Abercrombie are big names and the first stores in the London market. I imagine there will be a lot of new stores when they chop up the Hudson Bay store.

[Djeffery]

Haven't been in there in months to notice the Gap was closed but it was on the lower level just to the west of the old Clock Court, the area where Santa gets set up. Next door to MAC Cosmetics. It's still listed on the website so I'm not sure how long ago it closed

[MolsonExport]

I bought some jeans at Gap Masonville on Black Friday. So it is now gone? No Gaps in London? Maybe they aim to take over some space in the former Bay location?

I really dislike fast fashion (utter crap sold by H&M, Zara, etc.). Never understood the appeal: the clothes not only look like crap, they are crap.

The Gap ain't great, but at least there is some quality in its goods.

[GreatTallNorth2]

Uniqlo is in a different category, their clothes are good quality and last.

[MolsonExport]

Sherwood Forest Mall, 1981

[DireRaven]

Originally Posted by GreatTallNorth2

Uniqlo is in a different category, their clothes are good quality and last.

Yes, the quality is good, and the price is reasonable. I would like to see them open up in part of the old Bay location. Their stores are usually pretty sizable. I know southern ontario was listed as an area for expansion so would be nice to see.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

I bought some jeans at Gap Masonville on Black Friday. So it is now gone? No Gaps in London? Maybe they aim to take over some space in the former Bay location?

I really dislike fast fashion (utter crap sold by H&M, Zara, etc.). Never understood the appeal: the clothes not only look like crap, they are crap.

The Gap ain't great, but at least there is some quality in its goods.

The Gap still shows on the website. It would be weird for them not have a London retail presence after just opening their huge new distribution centre in the east end. Maybe they will open an Outlet store out there? Works for Columbia Sports.

I do see a couple new stores listed on the Masonville website as coming soon. Pilgrim, "Pilgrim is a Danish brand offering handmade jewellery made from recycled materials, safe for sensitive skin, with waterproof styles and in-store ear piercing." Upper level above the centre court.

Heytea, a Chinese bubble tea company that has expanded to many countries in the last few years, US, UK, Australia, and about a half dozen in Canada so far. No location on the map that I can see, just a listing as coming soon.

Knix, a female undergarment company. Lower level across from Coles.

[GreatTallNorth2]

Originally Posted by DireRaven

Yes, the quality is good, and the price is reasonable. I would like to see them open up in part of the old Bay location. Their stores are usually pretty sizable. I know southern ontario was listed as an area for expansion so would be nice to see.

I think that is quite probable seeing they just opened in Victoria and are opening two stores in Winnipeg. London, especially Masonville Mall is a hub for not just London but much of the rest of southwestern Ontario towards Windsor and also much of midwestern Ontario. I used to work at the Apple Store and it drew a lot of people from all over. It would be nice to see a stores like Pottery Barn, Sporting Life, Etc come as well. Masonville has a high sales per square foot, close to some of the top malls in the GTA.

[london91]

I am sure Uniqlo will come to Masonville - they just need the right space!

[MolsonExport]

Seems like there is a LOT of turnover at Masonville mall. Not sure how much of that is just the timing of leases expiring, or whether the owners are trying to edge out downmarket brands (I don't think so, given the trash t-shirt and sex toy store, and of course, Marshalls/Homesense), or whether some chains are still reeling from the pandemic and the shift to ecommerce.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Seems like there is a LOT of turnover at Masonville mall. Not sure how much of that is just the timing of leases expiring, or whether the owners are trying to edge out downmarket brands (I don't think so, given the trash t-shirt and sex toy store, and of course, Marshalls/Homesense), or whether some chains are still reeling from the pandemic and the shift to ecommerce.

When I did my daily delivery run in there, I was talking to one of the guys doing renovations. He said he started his construction career there in the 80's and would retire there with all the work that comes along. I mean, Disney came and went twice out of the place lol. Crazy when I was looking at the floor plan the other night how few stores are where they were when I worked there every day in 2013. Roots almost seems like an OG by now lol.

[london91]

Looks like Abercrombie/Hollister is opening at Masonville (Old Laura)

and Aritzia is opening a new store in the old Gap/Mac/Roots.

https://www.reddit.com/r/londonontario/comments/1rqcdne/new_masonville_stores/

[GreatTallNorth2]

I am guessing the future restaurant on this map is the Swiss Chalet that is moving to the mall?

https://www.westdellcorp.com/wp-content/...11.11-White-Oaks-Brochure_compressed.pdf

[GreatTallNorth2]

Masonville Place is getting an ARC'TERYX store according to an application on the City of London website. This is good news.