The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by alienc

Well, the other approach could be they plan to re-design it such that all the stores have outside entrances that face Main St? An example is the Moncton Mall (now the North-west centre). That was your typical mall with all the store entrances for the most part inside. It was completely face-lifted where they all now have outside entrances.

This wouldn't explain why the mall landlords gave the Bay the heave-ho. They could have redone the mall and provided external entrances without inconveniencing the Bay. The only reason to kick out your biggest tenant (and your biggest cash cow) is if something "big" is in the offing.

It's either going to be the events centre or something else equally as big. I just heard another rumour about this site which is completely unsubstantiated so I'm not going to pass it along but in either event, the fate of the mall is now sealed.

Highfield Square will be meeting the wrecking ball.

[curious]

I don't think the Bay got kicked out? I was at the Bay back in the fall and one of the employees had told me that the owner was there with his lawyer and realtor. They walked through the whole store taking notes. It is too bad they didn't decide to open else where. I love the Bay they have amazing all leather furniture. Too bad

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

This wouldn't explain why the mall landlords gave the Bay the heave-ho. They could have redone the mall and provided external entrances without inconveniencing the Bay. The only reason to kick out your biggest tenant (and your biggest cash cow) is if something "big" is in the offing.

It's either going to be the events centre or something else equally as big. I just heard another rumour about this site which is completely unsubstantiated so I'm not going to pass it along but in either event, the fate of the mall is now sealed.

Highfield Square will be meeting the wrecking ball.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by curious

I don't think the Bay got kicked out? I was at the Bay back in the fall and one of the employees had told me that the owner was there with his lawyer and realtor. They walked through the whole store taking notes.

I remember you posting this, but keep in mind this was probably the building owner (or landlord), not somebody from the Bay management. The press release mentioned on the CBC was pretty clear that the lease was not renewed and that the store closure was not the Bay's idea.

Highfield Square is toast!

[brucester4]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I remember you posting this, but keep in mind this was probably the building owner (or landlord), not somebody from the Bay management. The press release mentioned on the CBC was pretty clear that the lease was not renewed and that the store closure was not the Bay's idea.

Highfield Square is toast!

The mall is owed by Crombie REIT which is part of the Sobeys empire. A look at the floor plan shows that is a dead mall with few stores. It reminds me of the Penhorn Mall and Sydney Shopping Centre just before they were mostly tore down. The orginal Penhorn mall is all gone except for Sears, and the Sydney mall is all gone except for Zellers (soon to be Target), Sobeys (which is being greatly expanded) and a small part of the mall which was changed into a strip mall.

http://www.crombiereit.ca/PDF/factsheet_47.pdf.
http://www.crombiereit.ca/PDF/factsheet_130.pdf
http://www.crombiereit.ca/PDF/factsheet_125.pdf

It is possible that Target may even want the property as they have a close relationship with Sobeys as they already have a wholesale agreement, and I think the Zellers store at Northwest Centre is too small and would need a major expansion, for example the Sydney Zellers is bigger, was recently renovated and also already has a frozen food section which the Moncton store does not.

[kirjtc2]

Just announced on CBC that Crombie has confirmed that all leases are being terminated and Highfield Square is closing.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by kirjtc2

Just announced on CBC that Crombie has confirmed that all leases are being terminated and Highfield Square is closing.

Things are moving rapidly. All the other mall tenants only had month-to-month leases, so this made it easy for Crombie to finish the mall off.

The city denies that a decision has been made to site the events centre at the Highfield Square location, but as the situation rapidly evolves, the city may have to issue a clarification on the situation within the next week or so.

[Mattyyy]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It's either going to be the events centre or something else equally as big. I just heard another rumour about this site which is completely unsubstantiated so I'm not going to pass it along but in either event, the fate of the mall is now sealed.

Highfield Square will be meeting the wrecking ball.

I 100% agree - it's the end of Highfield Square.

Definitely wouldn't mind hearing the rumour. You can't bring it up and then not mention it..

There's plenty of rumours on this board, what's another???

[David_99]

Originally Posted by Mattyyy

Definitely wouldn't mind hearing the rumour.

Ditto!

What stores a left in Highfield? I wonder if any of them can join Colpitts in filling in some vacant spaces on Main.

[Lrdevlop]

I think the only stores left are Passage, Betty Rubens, Samuel&Co, Boutik Electric and the Cafe... I definitely could (and would like to) see some of those stay downtown. I know that Passage and Betty Rubens had their store on Main St years ago; so let's see what happens!

[mmmatt]

The Bay was long in the tooth and the way I have felt about it for years is only rich older people shop there...I live only a 5 min. walk from the store and I think the only thing Ive ever done there is my taxes!

That being said I do wish they would contact Cadillac Fairview and get them to add on to the mall. That would be enough I'm sure to connect the mall and crystal palace

Regardless, Highfield Square is coming down and that is a good thing! A suburban mall has no place in the core! Heres hoping I can see a Wildcats game there in 5 years instead of doing my taxes!!!

[BlackYear]

- Federal Office turns down Moncton's application for funding of a new downtown events center in early December.

- Moncton has $25M, NB has $25M, mayor says other parties has shown interest.

- I'm guessing, these "Other Parties" wanted to wait and see what the Federal Office answer was going to be.

- All parties involved take 3-4 weeks off for the holidays.

- Holidays are over, back to business.

- Those "Other Parties" have now stepped up and are ready. No more waiting for Federal assistance.

- There are 2 parties that comes to mind. An Irving and Crombie REIT partnership.

Get 'er done boys and girls!

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Budyser

- Moncton has $25M, NB has $25M, mayor says other parties has shown interest.

Is it confirmed that the Provincial Government is willing to throw money into this? I was under the impression that the Province is just as stand-offish as the Feds are.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Is it confirmed that the Provincial Government is willing to throw money into this? I was under the impression that the Province is just as stand-offish as the Feds are.

The province has been quite supportive of the idea of a new events centre. I am quite certain that if the feds had contributed $20M, that the province would have provided equivalent funding.

The main question is "what sort of funding would the province contribute in the absence of federal involvement?"

The probable answer is "not much", but perhaps significant assurances have been given in the background that the feds will do something to support this project. Something must be going on to justify the sudden decision by Crombie to terminate everyone's leases and close the mall down.

[marobgo]

I wonder if the Target on Mountain Road will have a Starbucks in it? I've been to a few of them in Maine and they all seem to have one instead of a family restaurant. This might be the north end's answer to getting a Starbucks!

I'm also kind of sad to hear about the Bay closing (even though I never shopped there). But, on the bright side I can't wait for the Mapleton Power Centre to actually open! If they could get a decent bookstore and a gap outlet I would never have to go shopping in Dieppe again

[pierremoncton]

You were all writing about it before this article was posted, but here it is anyway: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2012/01/13/nb-highfield-square-closing.html

Although the statement from ECL seemed to suggest it was closing the mall in light of the Bay closing, the Bay said in a statement on Thursday that it was closing because the landlord had terminated its lease.

Meanwhile, ECL plans to explore redevelopment opportunities for the mall property. It believes the site is well located in Moncton's central business district.

"ECL will seek redevelopment alternatives that will bring the right balance of uses to the property designed to meet the needs of the community," the statement reads.

Personally, I'd like to see the Bay section of the mall remain on whatever will replace it, as it's been around for 40 years and is a part of Moncton's heritage. If an events centre is built, then that section could host restaurants and shops. Realistically, I just expect it all to disappear.

As for the store itself, I don't know how The Bay managed to stay in business so long and I don't know how they could have survived much longer even if their lease hadn't been terminated. Never anyone there, and if their sister store Zellers is of any valid indication (at least the one by the Superstore), the prices at the tilt didn't match the tags half the time and their staff was barely literate. Now that was prejudicial and hyperbolic (my apologies)... but Zellers is a special place. MonctonRad is right about Zellers not having replaced Kmart, but I wouldn't be surprised to find items there that have been kicking around on dusty shelves since the 80s with Kmart or even Woolco stickers on them.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

You were all writing about it before this article was posted, but here it is anyway: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2012/01/13/nb-highfield-square-closing.html


Personally, I'd like to see the Bay section of the mall remain on whatever will replace it, as it's been around for 40 years and is a part of Moncton's heritage. If an events centre is built, then that section could host restaurants and shops. Realistically, I just expect it all to disappear.

Architecturally, that building is nothing special, I don't see the need to preserve it. I'm sure whatever will replace it will look better (unless the site stays vacant )

I have mixed feelings about the store leaving. Sure it wasn't the most popular place to shop, but it's sad to see a major retailer leave downtown. Since the Bay wasn't planning on leaving, perhaps they (or some other retailer...ie Simmons???) could be incorporated into the redevelopment of the site. Just something rather than nothing. If it is the events centre, I'd like to see as much commercial integrated into it as possible: restaurants/bar/hotel and retail etc...

[Sunnybrae]

I think alot of Monctonians who have lived here most of there lives have a connection with the old (Eaton's) era Highfield Square. My parents met and worked there and started there lives. My mother worked at the catalog center and my father was manager of the toy department at Eaton's. My grandmother worked in the mens department for years and retired from there. Will I be feeling a bit of melancholy when it goes to the wrecking ball? You betcha! That mall was beautiful at christmas - good memories. Sorry for being nostalgic but at one time, I think it was the soul of Moncton.... at least for me.

[macas539]

I know the forum is buzing with excitement over what's happening at Highfield Square...

But I noticed something is also afoot along the Berry Mills Rd. A large swath of trees have been cleared within the last week just after that glass recycling plant (I believe thats what that building is...) and slightly before the dump. If you're driving out of Moncton and heading towards the TCH the land in question is on your right hand side. It's outside of the new industrial park west so I'm really not sure what is being developed.

Anyone know anything about this? Possibly a warehouse of sorts? It's still within Moncton's city limits.

[Good2go]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

You were all writing about it before this article was posted, but here it is anyway: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2012/01/13/nb-highfield-square-closing.html

With Twitter, it is amazing how fast news can travel these days.

[Good2go]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

- The exterior of the Bella Casa 2 at the Moncton Golf & Country Club in Riverview is now complete (although the cladding still has to be applied). It will be identical in stature and appearance to Bella Casa 1.

The sign out front says it is 50% sold.

In other Riverview news, Kent is wasting no time on their new store. They held a two day job fair earlier this week at the Chocolate River Station.