The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[nwalbert]

Nice to see the cities unemployment rates dropping...

As for the labour performance in New Brunswick's urban centres, Saint John's unemployment rate fell to 5.2 per cent in December from six per cent a year earlier. However, the city also saw a slight dip in its employment levels.

Fredericton's employment rate remained unchanged year over year, although its unemployment rate up edged up slightly to 5.5 per cent in December 2010 from 4.7 per cent in December 2009.

Moncton faired worse, with a slight drop in employment levels and an unemployment rate that climbed to 7.3 per cent from 5.5 per cent a year ago.

[philster]

Came across this today in respect to Westjet and Porter.

[michael_d40]

SAINT JOHN - McAllister Place is looking to expand a little more than a year after finishing a $13-million renovation on its property.

McAllister Place decided to ask common council for the approval to expand after finding a prospective tenant for about 1,500 square metres of the proposed 5,900-square-metre expanded space.

An architect from the shopping centre will make a pitch to common council at the Jan. 31 council meeting in favour of a 5,900-square-metre expansion to the mall.

Council would need to approve an amendment to a December 1987 rezoning on the mall property for the mall expansion to get a green light.

McAllister Place won't take on the 5,900-square-metre expansion all at once if it's approved, said David Greene, the mall's general manager. Rather, it will split the expansion up into smaller projects.

The mall decided to ask council to let it expand the property after finding a prospective tenant for about 1,500 square metres of the proposed expanded space, Greene said.

The mall hasn't decided yet what it would do with the rest of the potential space, Greene said.

"We're just going for the zoning amendment at this point in time so we can get everything going when we need to."

Greene wouldn't reveal anything about the prospective tenant, saying he'll say more once approval is given and construction begins.

If council signs off of the expansion, construction would begin in mid-February.

"The planning is done, we just need the approvals," Greene said.

Ward 3 councillor Donnie Snook says an expansion of the mall would be exciting.

"It's always great to see people investing and at the end of the day, it strengthens the marketing of Saint John as a shopping destination in our region," Snook said.

"When I hear of improvements being made and expansions and renovations and new construction, it's great news for our city but also for our region."

Snook said he's aware of residents' concerns about heavy traffic in the retail area of the east side.

"People talk about the traffic and stuff like that, but I live out this way and I think it's great.

"It sounds like (McAllister Place has) lined up something else to add to the scene here in Saint John."

Enterprise Saint John looks at the retail sector as a "barometer of the health of a community," said Christine Comeau, communications officer for the economic development agency.

"All the signs are of growing consumer confidence and a growing economy (in Saint John)."

The city has seen more than 90,000 square metres (Almost a million in sq feet!) in retail development during the last eight years, Comeau added.

This includes the development of East Point Shopping, which boasts Atlantic Canada's largest Costco.

"That's played a significant role in keeping retail spending in Saint John as well as attracting people from outside the region to be spending in Saint John," Comeau said.

5900 Square Metres is about 65000 Square Feet. Not a bad addition. A little strange that they didnt do it when they renos were taking place. But better late than never I guess.

[Helladog]

Now that Zellers will be becoming Target, I imagine they will be expanding...any coincidence?

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by Helladog

Now that Zellers will be becoming Target, I imagine they will be expanding...any coincidence?

I was wondering the same thing. Although the mall wants to start construction this month which makes me think that whoever the tenant will be wants to move much quicker than the Target acquisition will be unfolding.

[nwalbert]

Looks like the West side retail boom will be continuing. There is a property on the Golden Mile currently being rezoned to retail development and the Aquarius Pub is apparently not taking any reservations beyond the end of March as they may no longer be there. Rumors have either another new strip mall or a WalMart taking the combined spaces of the Aquarius Pub, the old Rogers building, and the rezoned land.

[Whaler]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Looks like the West side retail boom will be continuing. There is a property on the Golden Mile currently being rezoned to retail development and the Aquarius Pub is apparently not taking any reservations beyond the end of March as they may no longer be there. Rumors have either another new strip mall or a WalMart taking the combined spaces of the Aquarius Pub, the old Rogers building, and the rezoned land.

AQ is rumored to be sold, Co-Op closed and not sure about the rogers building?
New Kent store should be started this spring. I am also hearing of a new Super Store for the west side.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Looks like the West side retail boom will be continuing. There is a property on the Golden Mile currently being rezoned to retail development and the Aquarius Pub is apparently not taking any reservations beyond the end of March as they may no longer be there. Rumors have either another new strip mall or a WalMart taking the combined spaces of the Aquarius Pub, the old Rogers building, and the rezoned land.

We already knew that WalMart was planning on building on the site. They already have the Co-Op land, the AQ owner was looking for a ton of money for his, and WalMart had bought up the Industrial service land nearby.

Originally Posted by Whaler

I am also hearing of a new Super Store for the west side.

This makes zero sense whatsoever. They just converted the old Superstore into a No Frills because it was getting destroyed by Costco/New Sobey's/New Lawton's.

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

We already knew that WalMart was planning on building on the site. They already have the Co-Op land, the AQ owner was looking for a ton of money for his, and WalMart had bought up the Industrial service land nearby.



This makes zero sense whatsoever. They just converted the old Superstore into a No Frills because it was getting destroyed by Costco/New Sobey's/New Lawton's.

Actually about the Superstore. It seems Loblaws is looking at putting a store west again. It being rebranded before had nothing to do with Costco/Sobeys/Lawtons.
It had to do with the store being old, small, and lacked anywhere for it to be expanded at that location.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Actually about the Superstore. It seems Loblaws is looking at putting a store west again. It being rebranded before had nothing to do with Costco/Sobeys/Lawtons.
It had to do with the store being old, small, and lacked anywhere for it to be expanded at that location.

So by what you've said, rather than moving out and creating a new location, they went through the trouble of rebrandring and renovating an older store, and then open up another one? What's the point of rebranding and renovating the older store at all? As well, that would kind-of suck for the employees of the former Superstore who lost benefits and either quit or had to deal, only to turn around and have another Superstore open within ~1-2 years of the older one being changed.

[cdnguys]

In a message to employees today, the President of Irving Oil (Mike Ashar) officially quashed the rumour that Irving Oil or parts of it were being sold. In fact, Irving is the one in acquisition mode - making a purchase in New England to expand their business. Their gas retailing is also expanding - now as far west as Ottawa and south to New York. Hopefully this will put an end to this rumour!

As for superstore opening another store - No Frills is actually a franchise. I cannot see Loblaw's selling a franchise and then opening another Superstore to compete with it - screwing over the franchisee.

[Taeolas]

I could see it happening.

A refacing/rebranding probably isn't all that expensive, compared to a new store's income, so they may have rebranded the store for now so it wouldn't 'tarnish' people's impression of the Superstore brand, while keeping most people shopping there.

Then, once they find a good spot where they have enough room to build a Superstore style store, they can take their time to get a good deal on it, planning it, etc... all while still bringing in money from the other store.

Once its built, they can do a full on "Brand New Superstore!" advertising blitz to dazzle the locals with, and either keep the smaller store open (not hurting the Superstore brand after all), or sell it eventually.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

I could see it happening.

A refacing/rebranding probably isn't all that expensive, compared to a new store's income, so they may have rebranded the store for now so it wouldn't 'tarnish' people's impression of the Superstore brand, while keeping most people shopping there.

Then, once they find a good spot where they have enough room to build a Superstore style store, they can take their time to get a good deal on it, planning it, etc... all while still bringing in money from the other store.

Once its built, they can do a full on "Brand New Superstore!" advertising blitz to dazzle the locals with, and either keep the smaller store open (not hurting the Superstore brand after all), or sell it eventually.

No Frills is a franchise / franchisee relationship. Given that, this plan does not sound plausible.

[JHikka]

There is also unlikely to be any available market in that part of town, with various stores already existing. I can't see another Superstore plausibly opening on the west-side anytime soon.

[philster]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

I was wondering the same thing. Although the mall wants to start construction this month which makes me think that whoever the tenant will be wants to move much quicker than the Target acquisition will be unfolding.

The talk that I heard this week from people in the area was that Lawtons Drugs wants to Expand and build a larger store in that area. There is more than enough parking on that side of the mall to accomidate a large expansion to the mall.

That end of the mall has slowly vacated, DQ moved to the foodcourt and the Nail Salon that was there moved to the Waterloo st area.

There are also dumpsters and a work crew near the Toys R us Loading dock area where the store there has been vacent and the Old Mikes Resturant/buck or 2 were on the Opposite side

[Southpaw78]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

I could see it happening.

A refacing/rebranding probably isn't all that expensive, compared to a new store's income, so they may have rebranded the store for now so it wouldn't 'tarnish' people's impression of the Superstore brand, while keeping most people shopping there.

Then, once they find a good spot where they have enough room to build a Superstore style store, they can take their time to get a good deal on it, planning it, etc... all while still bringing in money from the other store.

Once its built, they can do a full on "Brand New Superstore!" advertising blitz to dazzle the locals with, and either keep the smaller store open (not hurting the Superstore brand after all), or sell it eventually.

If Superstore was looking to expand anywhere West, it should be Grand Bay. The grocery selection (along with any other retail opportunities) is terrible in Grand Bay with a Sobey's that hasn't even been renovated and the Co-op which when you go into, they are stocking merchandise into every last corner it seems. The Colonel Nase Boulevard should be open later this year and that is going to open up a huge swath of land for commercial and residential development. It's said there are already interested developers for the site. Regardless, it will be interesting to see what goes in there, Superstore or not...

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

As well, that would kind-of suck for the employees of the former Superstore who lost benefits and either quit or had to deal, only to turn around and have another Superstore open within ~1-2 years of the older one being changed.

Ah.. The joys of business. It's all about the bottom line. Not about employees.
Obviously.. I mean c'mon. Look at Walmart. Corporate Greed at it's finest. Sad reality that you don't seem to grasp.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Sad reality that you don't seem to grasp.

Cool. Thanks for your opinion on the matter.

In regards to McAllister Mall, the stores at the Toys'R'Us end have been vacant for quite a while. Is it possible that this area is going to be the site of the expansion, or is it going to be geared more towards the Lawtons like philster pointed out?

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Is it possible that this area is going to be the site of the expansion, or is it going to be geared more towards the Lawtons like philster pointed out?

Probably since the reason that area has been vacant so long was because they were not allowing leases in that section.

[Helladog]

With regards to the west-side Superstore, I was actually surprised when they changed it from a SuperValue to a Superstore; the store is old and small like michael_d40 said. It works better as a No Frills than a Superstore because of this, but would think if anything, they would have reverted back to a SuperValue.

About McAlly...I noticed the Zellers end of the mall from the old Dairy Queen, towards Lawtons becoming vacant, as if planned...if this is the area Lawtons is to expand into, it makes sense to me. Maybe they anticipate the need to recoup this area as part of an expansion. Also, I always thought the area past Toys r Us should have been made part of the inside connection to the mall; not a very successful section at all. This would have made a good spot for Value Village. It'll be interesting to see what it will all look like in a year or two.