The Official PEI Project Thread

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

But the summer trade only lasts two months.....

I'm a born and bred Charlottetowner (although I haven't lived there since 1979), and I am certainly not trying to put the city down. I'm just trying to be realistic.

Charlottetown's primary market is about 80,000 (Queens County), with the secondary market being all of PEI (total 145,000)

Moncton's primary market is Westmoreland/Albert/Kent (200,000), with a secondary market of all of eastern and northern NB as well as Cumberland County in NS and portions of PEI. This would total at least 500,000.

Halifax's primary market is HRM and adjacent areas of central NS (500,000). The secondary market would be all of peninsular NS (total nearly 800,000).

Some stores would appear in all these markets (Wal Mart, Home Depot, Future Shop, Toys R Us).

Other stores (H&M, Best Buy) would be willing to look at intermediate sized regional markets.

Some specialty retailers (Abercrombie, Banana Republic, Hollister) will only settle in the largest regional markets.

It's the way of the world.

I concur with this statement wholly. I was in Moncton last weekend and I was stunned how the city was crowded and how the overall shopping experience is superior of anything else in New-Brunswick. Moncton set itself in a different league as far as shopping goes. In terms of national retailers, Saint John can not really compete, in fact, the city has actually hard time to compete with Fredericton. I do not have the numbers but the walking traffic in McAllister Place seems actually horrible. However, despite the proven Moncton success, not everything is perfect in hub city. Franckly, as far as I am concerned, very few things have changed in term of downtown shopping experience since I left the city in 2009 . As much as I had faith 4 years ago, I think the Downtown Moncton retail district is doomed. It boils down to the fact that Moncton will primarily remain a market being driven by Power center/strip mall developments. I am sad to say that the Main street looks quite moribond. Quite frankly, Saint John does alot better in that respect. Uptown is far from perfect but things are heading in right direction and we actualy have a decent downtown shopping area. On a side note, Fortis properties is doing a great job refurbishing Brunswick Square, the place is about 90% full.

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

I do not have the numbers

2009 is the latest year I know of that can be seen by the public, the report costs something like 300$ and its made by Financial Post.

Total sales in 2009:

(dont have the number for Ch-town sorry)

Halifax 4.86 B (12.5K/person)
Moncton 2.14 B (15.6K/person)
Fredericton 1.38 B (15.2K/person)
Saint John 1.30 B (10.4K/person)

Retail Sales Projected Increase between 2011-2016

Moncton 10.1%
Fredericton 9.2%
Halifax 7.9%
Charlottetown 6.4%
Saint John 4.0%

[billy1]

I see they tore down the old apartment building on University Ave. next to the Harley Club. Anyone know what is being built here?

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

I concur with this statement wholly. I was in Moncton last weekend and I was stunned how the city was crowded and how the overall shopping experience is superior of anything else in New-Brunswick. Moncton set itself in a different league as far as shopping goes. In terms of national retailers, Saint John can not really compete, in fact, the city has actually hard time to compete with Fredericton. I do not have the numbers but the walking traffic in McAllister Place seems actually horrible. However, despite the proven Moncton success, not everything is perfect in hub city. Franckly, as far as I am concerned, very few things have changed in term of downtown shopping experience since I left the city in 2009 . As much as I had faith 4 years ago, I think the Downtown Moncton retail district is doomed. It boils down to the fact that Moncton will primarily remain a market being driven by Power center/strip mall developments. I am sad to say that the Main street looks quite moribond. Quite frankly, Saint John does alot better in that respect. Uptown is far from perfect but things are heading in right direction and we actualy have a decent downtown shopping area. On a side note, Fortis properties is doing a great job refurbishing Brunswick Square, the place is about 90% full.

Let's compare apples to apples here Erick.

Regent Mall

Strategically located, Regent Mall is the predominant fashion destination in the Greater Fredericton Region. Its focus on first –to-market fashion retailers, diversity and exceptional customer service provides customers with an unparalleled shopping experience. Officially opened in 1976, the centre has a gross leasable area in excess of 480,000 square feet. Anchored by Sears, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Empire Theatres, Chapters and Sport Chek, Regent Mall is home to 115 stores and hosts more than 6.3 million consumers each year.

McAllister Place
McAllister Place is Saint John’s premier shopping destination. Officially opened in 1978, the centre has a gross leasable area in excess of 464,000 square feet. Anchored by Sears, Zellers, Sobeys and Toys R Us, McAllister Place is home to 110 stores. More than 5.1 million consumers shop at McAllister Place each year.




1.2 Million difference is not really that bad considering Walmart, Chapters/Indigo or Empire Theatres are not connected to the mall like in Fredericton and Moncton. . These three places alone if attached to the mall would easily drive traffic past 6.3 million people.

[OttawaJL]

It's kinda neat all you guys bringing up the sales numbers and stuff from around the maritimes! Personally I think Charlottetown has a pretty good selection of stores for it's size.

I also like the idea of bringing higher population density into the core of Charlottetown! It's projects like the new Holland College campus that will bring developers, like for the East Grafton apartment building downtown(not sure how expensive the apts will be but its a great location for HC students looking for apts),... which wouldn't be bad for downtown shopping either (Not an expert on this stuff but these are my thoughts )

[braymondg]

Has anyone found out who is building onto the new GAP Factory store. I see they have the outer walls covered with 'blue skin'. Seems to me like it's being constructed faster than the GAP before it.

[braymondg]

Originally Posted by braymondg

Has anyone found out who is building onto the new GAP Factory store. I see they have the outer walls covered with 'blue skin'. Seems to me like it's being constructed faster than the GAP before it.

Well, first of all it's 'green skin' (I'm coloured blind I guess). Here is a photo, but one thing I noticed, there are two entrances.

[Just an Islander]

Hello folks Just an Islander. I see a new building is going up by the Gap. Any ideas. Also is there truth that going back up the hill towards Canadian Tire on the right could be turned into a retail space as well.

[pei guy]

Originally Posted by braymondg

Well, first of all it's 'green skin' (I'm coloured blind I guess). Here is a photo, but one thing I noticed, there are two entrances.

Interesting! I hadn't considered it being two stores, but that's what this picture makes me think. It is certainly going up fast.

By the way, It's funny you said you must be colour blind, because I am blue-green colour blind... so I wouldn't know the difference anyway!

[Just an Islander]

Hello folks Just an Islander. I see the building is green but on the weekend it was blue covering or last week the front was blue so the person that said blue was right for part of it. I heard through the grape vine that one of the shops might be a shoe store. Also has anyone heard that the shop by the Children’s store is moving to the new section out by the new Area of off Spencer drive and the model shop from over in Stratford is taking over the store by the Children’s place. By the way is there any new restaurants coming. I hear Montana’s might be coming. Also as anyone heard that the clothing store American Eagle could be coming as well. It will be interesting to see what else is on the go for Spencer drive and the old Soby's

[josh_cat_eyes]

The land on the hill between Canadian Tire and Walmart is for sale. Also Toys R Us is basicly confirmed to go in the Spencer Plaza (Sobeys Building) I also know that there is a planned expansion planned in the La Senza building. Also I've assumed and since have heard this may be true, that Staples, Lawtons, Winners and Dollarramma are going to be tenants in the Phase 2 of Spencer Drive Plaza. Also Empire Theatres seems to be renovating a lot of their locations and it wouldn't surprise me if they build a new location or expanded their current one, especially if Winners moves. It would be good for them to have an entrance going into the mall. There is also a rumor floating around that the PEILC store may be leaving the Royalty Power Centre and moving next to Sobeys. Also Kent is rumored to build the new Charlottetown store near Sears and a new summerside store accross from Walmart.

I have not heard American Eagle, but if Winners moves then that opens up a very large area or an American Eagle.

[hogan2]

the la Senza beside Payless shoes is closing at the end of the year.

[Just an Islander]

Hello folks. I thought the Toys R Us was to go into the old Sobeys building along with four other businesses. If you look at the plans on the web site for the company Plaza Corp that is building the Spencer drive project the old Scobey’s is divided into 5 different sections with Toys R Us to taking up the biggest part of the building. Also I hear one of those spots may be taken up by a new Pizza Pie shop called Papa John’s pizza. From what I read last week in the newspaper it sounded like Plaza Corp was going to bring all new business that are not on PEI. But from one person who wrote in on this site makes it sound like some of the businesses in Charlottetown are just moving out to the new area on Spencer drive. As well as any one heard what is going to go into the 80,000SQ feet of retail space that is to go up as the second part of the Spencer Drive project. I heard half of the 80,000sq feet is to be taken up by one new business. I could see the liquor store moving by Sobeys’s. But the two parts of the strip mall beside Sobeys’s seem really big for that to happen as one of them is for the new pet supply store. I also heard that Kent was to move there a few years ago and build a new store on the other side of the road out by Sears. So when you look at it, the retail landscape is really starting to change in the Charlottetown Area. I say in a few years all the empty space between the new shops going up and the set of lights out by the Cat dealer of the Sherwood road will be all built up with new Retail shops. So we will see a lot more stores come to the Charlottetown in a little different way I think. By putting up stores that may not be as big as in other markets but testing the waters with little smaller shops. You can see the new floor plan for the old Sobeys’s building on the Plaza Corp web site under PEI and Buchanan drive/West Royalty or go this website http://www.plaza.ca/portfolio/PEI/Charlo...eet%20Plaza%20portfolio%20Nov%202011.pdf. As you say again some of the business may move into the second phase of Spencer Drive. Which will end up leaving other builds empty? I think then if they move out to phase two on Spencer drive then we are really not going to get a lot of new business but just some re-location of existing business from around Charlottetown. Just an Islander's thoughts for the day December 9 2012.

[billy1]

Originally Posted by Just an Islander

Hello folks. I thought the Toys R Us was to go into the old Sobeys building along with four other businesses. If you look at the plans on the web site for the company Plaza Corp that is building the Spencer drive project the old Scobey’s is divided into 5 different sections with Toys R Us to taking up the biggest part of the building. Also I hear one of those spots may be taken up by a new Pizza Pie shop called Papa John’s pizza. From what I read last week in the newspaper it sounded like Plaza Corp was going to bring all new business that are not on PEI. But from one person who wrote in on this site makes it sound like some of the businesses in Charlottetown are just moving out to the new area on Spencer drive. As well as any one heard what is going to go into the 80,000SQ feet of retail space that is to go up as the second part of the Spencer Drive project. I heard half of the 80,000sq feet is to be taken up by one new business. I could see the liquor store moving by Sobeys’s. But the two parts of the strip mall beside Sobeys’s seem really big for that to happen as one of them is for the new pet supply store. I also heard that Kent was to move there a few years ago and build a new store on the other side of the road out by Sears. So when you look at it, the retail landscape is really starting to change in the Charlottetown Area. I say in a few years all the empty space between the new shops going up and the set of lights out by the Cat dealer of the Sherwood road will be all built up with new Retail shops. So we will see a lot more stores come to the Charlottetown in a little different way I think. By putting up stores that may not be as big as in other markets but testing the waters with little smaller shops. You can see the new floor plan for the old Sobeys’s building on the Plaza Corp web site under PEI and Buchanan drive/West Royalty or go this website http://www.plaza.ca/portfolio/PEI/Charlo...eet%20Plaza%20portfolio%20Nov%202011.pdf. As you say again some of the business may move into the second phase of Spencer Drive. Which will end up leaving other builds empty? I think then if they move out to phase two on Spencer drive then we are really not going to get a lot of new business but just some re-location of existing business from around Charlottetown. Just an Islander's thoughts for the day December 9 2012.

Alot of what you read in this thread is just conjecture/rumour. One rumour that has been circulating is that Toys R Us will move into the soon to be vacant Sobey's building close to Future Shop (this is a solid rumour from Tim Banks. The CEO of plaza.ca would also not comment on this rumour) What we do know is that Sobey's, Papa John's, and Petsmart are confirmed for Spencer Drive. "Rumour" has it we may also see another Starbucks built here, along with Montana's, and another Quizno's. I'm sure in the near future we will have confirmation from other retailers.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Look at retail taking off in Charlottetown again. Sobey’s is relocating to a new “power centre” beside the Charlottetown Mall. Rumor has it that Princess Auto may be looking at coming to PEI, and the Gap is now open.

www.employmentjourney.com/archives/EJDec11_2.pdf

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by braymondg

Has anyone found out who is building onto the new GAP Factory store. I see they have the outer walls covered with 'blue skin'. Seems to me like it's being constructed faster than the GAP before it.

I am hearing Roots. Seems too big to be Roots though.

So lets recap the rumors and confirmed tenants for various projects as of late:
Confirmed:
Target
Toys R Us
Sobeys (relocation)
Petsmart
Papa John's
Montana's
Bootlegger
Rumors:
Walmart Superstore
Princesses Auto
The Keg
Roots (relocation)
Kent (relocation)
PEILC (relocation)
Staples (relocation)
Dollarama (relocation)
Winners (relocation)

[billy1]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

I am hearing Roots. Seems too big to be Roots though.

So lets recap the rumors and confirmed tenants for various projects as of late:
Confirmed:
Target
Sobeys
Petsmart
Papa John's
Rumors:
Walmart Superstore
Princesses Auto
Toys R Us
Montanas
The Keg
Roots
Denied Rumors:
Costco
Relocations:
Kent
PEILC
Staples
Dollarama
Winners

I'm guessing if Roots were to locate here, it would be a relocation from their downtown store.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by billy1

I'm guessing if Roots were to locate here, it would be a relocation from their downtown store.

I never thought of that. I'd assume so then. I was looking at some other site plans from Calloway REIT and most of the ones that have a GAP also have a Roots.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

I never thought of that. I'd assume so then. I was looking at some other site plans from Calloway REIT and most of the ones that have a GAP also have a Roots.

In Moncton the Roots store in Champlain closed but the Roots at Wheeler Park is still open. Maybe Roots has made a conscious decision to locate in power centre type developments.

It would be a shame to see the Roots in downtown Charlottetown close. I'm very concerned that with all the development on the northern fringe of the city that the downtown area might "hollow out".

A vibrant core is one of the most attractive features of Charlottetown and this I'm sure contributes to the tourism economy of the city.

[braymondg]

Found on the City of Charlottetown's Permit Approvals

7-Dec-11, 521-525 Malpeque Road, 49-unit apartment building. Location is out in Winsloe across from the Petro Can.