The Retail Thread - Page 81

SpongeG · #**1601** Posted **Sep 16, 2011, 5:36 AM**

they just opened a top shop capsule inside the bay here in vancouver - quite nice stuff - only ladies though - you can order mens online - they will making the basement level into a top shop store next year here

it opened today i stopped by quickly - had a lot of browsers, nice stuff, not bad prices should do well in canada

YYCguys · #**1602** Posted **Sep 16, 2011, 1:52 PM**

I went to the Top Shop Capsule in Toronto at the beginning of July and bought a lot of stuff then, and when they opened in the Bay in Toronto in early fall, I bought some more! Great stuff! Seems to fit me well, which is always a challenge for a person of shorter stature! Looking forward to shopping there in the Calgary location!

Innersoul1 · #**1603** Posted **Sep 16, 2011, 4:53 PM**

Top shop is great. It's a place where I like to shop in the UK. Kind of like a high end H&M but the quality is outstanding!

Innersoul1 · #**1604** Posted **Sep 16, 2011, 5:07 PM**

For you gents the mens version of Topshop is Topmen if you are google searching.

freeweed · #**1605** Posted **Sep 16, 2011, 6:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

high end H&M

Heh.

*filler*

DizzyEdge · #**1606** Posted **Sep 16, 2011, 6:36 PM**

I still have yet to go to H&M. I always got the idea it was like a Swedish Le Chateau.

freeweed · #**1607** Posted **Sep 16, 2011, 9:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I still have yet to go to H&M. I always got the idea it was like a Swedish Le Chateau.

It makes Le Chateau look very, very high end.

A great place for the young'uns to get some cheap dispose-after-one-fashion-season skankwear though, so it serves its purpose.

DizzyEdge · #**1608** Posted **Sep 16, 2011, 9:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

It makes Le Chateau look very, very high end.

A great place for the young'uns to get some cheap dispose-after-one-fashion-season skankwear though, so it serves its purpose.

Wait, I thought that was Le Chateau? Although,.. I do think that the men's clothing at Le Chateau might be longer lasting than the women's.

Jay in Cowtown · #**1609** Posted **Sep 16, 2011, 11:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I still have yet to go to H&M. I always got the idea it was like a Swedish Le Chateau.

more of a European American Eagle Outfitters, about the same shit quality!

SpongeG · #**1610** Posted **Sep 17, 2011, 4:45 AM**

H&M sizes are pretty bad - if you are an L-XL here you are outta luck at H&M their XL is like a medium at most other places and their socks are ridiculous - the heel comes up way past the ankle

Calgarian · #**1611** Posted **Sep 26, 2011, 6:47 PM**

I like H&M, you can get some pretty decent clothes from there at a very good price. It's not the best store ever, but nothing wrong with the mens wear aside from the very limited selsction.

Calgarian · #**1612** Posted **Sep 26, 2011, 6:49 PM**

I was on Stephen Ave on Saturday night and it was really busy, every patio was packed and there were a ton of people walking up and down the street. I wonder if Stephen ave will replace 17th as the main retail / entertainment street in Calgary

DizzyEdge · #**1613** Posted **Sep 26, 2011, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I was on Stephen Ave on Saturday night and it was really busy, every patio was packed and there were a ton of people walking up and down the street. I wonder if Stephen ave will replace 17th as the main retail / entertainment street in Calgary

I found the same thing, and even the streets and aves away from Stephen Ave weren't completely dead. I was going to an event at Art Central at 7th ave and Centre, and all on-street parking for blocks in all directions was full.

Ferreth · #**1614** Posted **Sep 27, 2011, 1:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I found the same thing, and even the streets and aves away from Stephen Ave weren't completely dead. I was going to an event at Art Central at 7th ave and Centre, and all on-street parking for blocks in all directions was full.

Part of Stephen Ave's charm is the street level outdoor seating. On a nice night, everyone is outside drinking/eating. It's a nice change from outdoor seating off of a road with loud exhausts roaring by. People seem to be spreading out - I see more people walking around downtown in general on a Saturday night now than I used to see on Stephen Avenue a few years back.

freeweed · #**1615** Posted **Sep 27, 2011, 1:36 AM**

I'd love it if 17th Ave could be turned into a pedestrian mall. Stephen Ave is just too "downtown" in many respects - I imagine the high rents are a deterrent to really seeing it blow up.

Me&You · #**1616** Posted **Sep 27, 2011, 2:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

I'd love it if 17th Ave could be turned into a pedestrian mall. Stephen Ave is just too "downtown" in many respects - I imagine the high rents are a deterrent to really seeing it blow up.

What's your definition of "blow up"?

I can't think of a vast void of businesses... What exactly are the high rents deterring?

freeweed · #**1617** Posted **Sep 27, 2011, 2:52 AM**

Well, Stephen Ave isn't exactly a hotbed of activity like 17th is. If anything, that's demonstrated by the fact that people specifically are pointing out it having a busy day. I can't imagine anyone coming here to post that "wow, 17th Ave was really busy the other day!". It's busy every day.

Hell, don't we still have empty storefronts on Stephen? Is the old A&B building occupied finally?

I dunno, it just seems that 17th is much more full of the type of thing that attracts people. It'd be nice to see Stephen Ave compete, but it's had 20+ years and still struggles. It needs a little kick to really turn it into the major destination in Calgary - deservedly so, because pedestrian malls are 10x nicer to hang out in at night than a busy street.

fusili · #**1618** Posted **Sep 27, 2011, 4:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

I'd love it if 17th Ave could be turned into a pedestrian mall. Stephen Ave is just too "downtown" in many respects - I imagine the high rents are a deterrent to really seeing it blow up.

I would agree in part. Perhaps not a fully pedestrian mall, but if traffic could be reduced somewhat and better, wider sidewalks and pedestrian facilities put in- I would be all for it.

MichaelS · #**1619** Posted **Sep 27, 2011, 4:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

Well, Stephen Ave isn't exactly a hotbed of activity like 17th is. If anything, that's demonstrated by the fact that people specifically are pointing out it having a busy day. I can't imagine anyone coming here to post that "wow, 17th Ave was really busy the other day!". It's busy every day.

Hell, don't we still have empty storefronts on Stephen? Is the old A&B building occupied finally?

I dunno, it just seems that 17th is much more full of the type of thing that attracts people. It'd be nice to see Stephen Ave compete, but it's had 20+ years and still struggles. It needs a little kick to really turn it into the major destination in Calgary - deservedly so, because pedestrian malls are 10x nicer to hang out in at night than a busy street.

Have you read any of KW150's posts? (just some good natured ribbing KW, not meant as an insult).

MalcolmTucker · #**1620** Posted **Sep 27, 2011, 6:29 AM**

Doing a pilot project where street parking is removed and one lane becomes an extended sidewalk protected by large but moveable planters would be a good test for a weekend or two. If traffic doesn't come to a standstill and retail traffic doesn't drop, you could even offer patio space if made semi permanent (Friday 6 pm till monday 6 am perhaps) The pilot could even use simple m-barriers to save some cash.