Downtown Update - Page 10

SteelTown · #**181** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 2:40 AM**

I do try to steer away from getting too excited and making wild suggestions. I remember when I was informed from work about a possible medical centre for the downtown core and I totally kept my mouth shut for awhile. Names came up like Balsillie and Braley, never said a word until the Hamilton NHL thing came up and so I mentioned Balsillie. Then once it became crystal clear Braley will definitely donate (our lab got $10 million, which we haven’t received the money yet) to create a medicine centre in the downtown core I warned you guys of a big announcement at McMaster. Some of you asked if it was related to the downtown. I basically lied and said no, did that to keep the excitement down and to keep you off my back lol. Weeks later when the announcement came you all got surprised lol.

the dude · #**182** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 4:03 AM**

you're kinda like santa claus, steeltown. you always bring good tidings and plenty of cheer. keep up the good work.

incidentally, if the lululemon news is true, then it's absolutely ginormous. my wife's an avid shopper [arg], so i'm familiar with their work. it's a massive destination store. i think the closest one is in mississauga, so this will draw large numbers of people to locke...now, where will they park? also, i wonder if we'll see some of the antique shops get displaced. it could be that locke is undergoing another transformation. dundurn could definitely benefit from this possibility.

BCTed · #**183** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 4:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

you, on the other hand, never have to worry about that.

That's true... because I am full of hooey and speak mistruths on an hourly basis.

HAMRetrofit · #**184** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 4:41 AM**

Don't feed the troll everyone.

raisethehammer · #**185** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 11:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelTown

I do try to steer away from getting too excited and making wild suggestions. I remember when I was informed from work about a possible medical centre for the downtown core and I totally kept my mouth shut for awhile. Names came up like Balsillie and Braley, never said a word until the Hamilton NHL thing came up and so I mentioned Balsillie. Then once it became crystal clear Braley will definitely donate (our lab got $10 million, which we haven’t received the money yet) to create a medicine centre in the downtown core I warned you guys of a big announcement at McMaster. Some of you asked if it was related to the downtown. I basically lied and said no, did that to keep the excitement down and to keep you off my back lol. Weeks later when the announcement came you all got surprised lol.

Steeltown...no need to explain yourself to the troll.
You're probably the best source of real, level-headed info on this board. I alway look forward to reading what you've got to say. Keep it up.

BCTed · #**186** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 12:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

Steeltown...no need to explain yourself to the troll.
You're probably the best source of real, level-headed info on this board. I alway look forward to reading what you've got to say. Keep it up.

I did not try to have SteelTown silenced in the manner that you try to have me silenced. I merely cautioned him not to make too much of a stretch.

I have tried to accord you respect and I have tried to make peace with you in the past. You have never done the same with me. Stop it.

raisethehammer · #**187** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 1:12 PM**

ooh, threatened by a troll! yikes.

oldcoote · #**188** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 1:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the dude

incidentally, if the lululemon news is true, then it's absolutely ginormous. my wife's an avid shopper [arg], so i'm familiar with their work. it's a massive destination store. i think the closest one is in mississauga, so this will draw large numbers of people to locke...now, where will they park? also, i wonder if we'll see some of the antique shops get displaced. it could be that locke is undergoing another transformation. dundurn could definitely benefit from this possibility.

You're right.

Lululemon is currently a destination store and will be great for Locke St.

There is one in Sherway and downtown (old) Oakville. The company recently went public as a means to raise money and aggressively expand. It's a great thing they chose Locke St.

A word of warning though (especially if you have teenaged daughters). The stuff is trendy and very expensive.

DC83 · #**189** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 2:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcoote

You're right.

Lululemon is currently a destination store and will be great for Locke St.

There is one in Sherway and downtown (old) Oakville. The company recently went public as a means to raise money and aggressively expand. It's a great thing they chose Locke St.

A word of warning though (especially if you have teenaged daughters). The stuff is trendy and very expensive.

There's also one at the Yonge & Eglinton area, Forest Hill, Toronto... the ultimate yuppy hood! haha

It's always busy up there (when I'm in the area anyway), and I can see it doing well on Locke as well.

I hope this trend continues... then retailers wont be able to ignore Downtown Hamilton for much longer!

block43 · #**190** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 2:21 PM**

I'd heard from one of my friends that drafted one of the questions for the mayor that the Mayor was at Mohawk to talk with a communications class on what it is like to be the Mayor.

Goldfinger · #**191** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 3:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

ooh, threatened by a troll! yikes.

I know you would be shitting your skirt if this were in person.

raisethehammer · #**192** Posted **Mar 19, 2008, 4:28 PM**

I noticed today on Locke that the old variety store is already being divided into two storefronts. the variety store will take the unit to the south. the new store will go at the corner.
also, apparently starbucks opens tonight.

BCTed · #**193** Posted **Mar 20, 2008, 4:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

ooh, threatened by a troll! yikes.

I was not threatening anybody. I am not a troll.

HAMRetrofit · #**194** Posted **Mar 20, 2008, 5:30 AM**

The fact that you don't contribute relevant discourse to the thread makes you a troll.

FairHamilton · #**195** Posted **Mar 20, 2008, 12:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC83

There's also one at the Yonge & Eglinton area, Forest Hill, Toronto... the ultimate yuppy hood! haha

And on Queen West in TO.

DC83 · #**196** Posted **Mar 20, 2008, 1:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairHamilton

And on Queen West in TO.

Hey kewl, thanks! I didn't know that! I haven't spent much time on Queen West since I was a teenager.

Queen West & Forest Hill are two established shopping districts, so it looks good on Hamilton to get one in our downtown!

I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope big name retail stops ignoring downtown now that the yuppy shops (Lulu & Starbucks) are moving in!!

raisethehammer · #**197** Posted **Mar 20, 2008, 2:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC83

Hey kewl, thanks! I didn't know that! I haven't spent much time on Queen West since I was a teenager.

Queen West & Forest Hill are two established shopping districts, so it looks good on Hamilton to get one in our downtown!

I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope big name retail stops ignoring downtown now that the yuppy shops (Lulu & Starbucks) are moving in!!

hmmm, I asked this very question over in the Locke St discussion and only recieved one reply so far - from BCTed stating that the big retailers/chains don't operate like that, following each other into new neighbourhoods.
Queen West in TO seems to indicate otherwise, but I really have no idea...does anyone know if the presence of two mega-chains like Lulu and Starbucks will help draw other big retail downtown or is Ted right?

SteelTown · #**198** Posted **Mar 20, 2008, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

does anyone know if the presence of two mega-chains like Lulu and Starbucks will help draw other big retail downtown or is Ted right?

Simple answer....yes!

It's called gentrification. Starbucks will be known for kicking it off. On CH they mentioned a new jewelry store will open up directly across from Starbucks, there opening up there because that's the kind of clientele that they seek. Lulu coming to Locke will definitely signal gentrification is alive and on steroid. Maybe up next is American Apparel, I know they’ve been hunting for locations in the Golden Horseshoe area.

I bet the owner of West Town has probably received a lot of offers for that empty store at the corner. That spot would be PERFECT for a clothing retail store.

RePinion · #**199** Posted **Mar 20, 2008, 3:33 PM**

American Apparel would certainly be an option for Hamilton given the popularity of the store with university students. That being said, Westdale might prove the better location for that chain. AA's image really isn't a yuppy one.

Lululemon strikes me as possibly the most appropriate new apparel store for Locke. I could also see a Mendocino on that street (they have one on Queen street in the Beaches in Toronto, which kind of has a similar feel to Locke).

raisethehammer · #**200** Posted **Mar 20, 2008, 3:42 PM**

work is progressing in the corner building owned by the WestTown guys. Not sure what's happening in there, but reno's are underway.
American Apparel would do good on Locke, Westdale or downtown.
Hopefully Stinson can fend off LIUNA and get the Connaught and do some good retail in the streetfront retail space. He already mentioned Starbucks for King and John.
And Williams Coffee Pub is continuing to negotiate for the space in the Foster/MacKay buildings on the Gore...I hope they go there...would be awesome to get a new patio/cafe downtown.