The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Good to hear. Thanks for that.
Speaking of Robson, Have they done, or are there any plans for "spiffing up" the street. I don't mean Victoria bauble lights and baskets; just maybe crisper designed lamposts, smarter sidewals, street furniture, lighting features or such. If Robson is Vancouver's answer to Rodeo Drive, it needs a bit of cosmetic surgery .

Totally agree, I think one reason for the slight demise of Robson, especially the 1100 block, recently, is the fact that the BIA and the city have not made any aesthetic improvements over the years and now it looks rather tired and worn and not reflective of a 'high street' in a major city. Gastown, Granville Street, Yaletown and South Granville have all made significant improvements to their street scapes over the years. Robson also lacks any historic buildings and is mostly comprised of poorly constructed and conceived retails frontages from the 80's and 90's.

[mezzanine]

Originally Posted by Built Form

The former Koolhaus location at 1 Water St will be a store called Seacret Location. And no it's not a spelling error.

I would recommend that she fire/not pay her naming/branding consultant.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Totally agree, I think one reason for the slight demise of Robson, especially the 1100 block, recently, is the fact that the BIA and the city have not made any aesthetic improvements over the years and now it looks rather tired and worn and not reflective of a 'high street' in a major city. Gastown, Granville Street, Yaletown and South Granville have all made significant improvements to their street scapes over the years. Robson also lacks any historic buildings and is mostly comprised of poorly constructed and conceived retails frontages from the 80's and 90's.

Thanks for the feedback. I remember one retail complex on the south side of the street, west of Burrard I think. It was this innocous-looking pink thing with silly awnings. I used to call it 'Barbie's Shopping Centre.'

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

If Robson is Vancouver's answer to Rodeo Drive, it needs a bit of cosmetic surgery .

Well it isn't so I guess it doesn't need any surgery. Honestly I don't know anyone who thinks that robson is our answer to rodeo??

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Well it isn't so I guess it doesn't need any surgery. Honestly I don't know anyone who thinks that robson is our answer to rodeo??

Back in the 80's and 90's it was often referred to as 'vancouver's rodeo drive', mostly by the tourist industry.. totally embarrassing as it never had any resemblance but I guess it was technically our very first 'fashion street' as prior to that most fashion and clothing retailers were located in malls and were mundane Canandian chains like Fairweather, Thriftys and Bootlegger

[SpongeG]

i don't think its vancouver's rodeo drive - its like vancouver's mall without being in a mall

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i don't think its vancouver's rodeo drive - its like vancouver's mall without being in a mall

X2-totally uninteresting street with retail to match.

[SpongeG]

i like what they did to this street in london

exhibition street - they redid it so there is no distinct sidewalk or roadway, cars and pedestrians share the roadway - sounds a bit crazy but it looks good

http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/exhibitionroad.aspx


dailymail.co.uk

gallery slideshow:
http://www.flickr.com//photos/73419983@N05/sets/72157629113163377/show/

before:

dailymail.co.uk

after:

dailymail.co.uk

[SpongeG]

it sounds like the urban outfitters for the HMV space is a true rumour- UO lists Vancouver BC as a new store opening spring as well not confirmed yet but a friend's friend said he saw a sign at the HMV door or window about urban outfitters hiring for the new store to be located there...

someone be a pip and pop down and see if the signage is true

New Store Openings 2012

Westport, CT (Spring)

Vancouver, BC (Spring)

Emeryville, CA (Summer)

Louisville, KY (Summer)

Norfolk, VA (Summer)

Brossard, QC (Fall)

Burlington, MA (Fall)

as well their employment page lists many positions from store manager to merchandiser to sales positions for spring

[s211]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

it sounds like the urban outfitters for the HMV space is a true rumour- UO lists Vancouver BC as a new store opening spring as well not confirmed yet but a friend's friend said he saw a sign at the HMV door or window about urban outfitters hiring for the new store to be located there...

ugh... another faceless clothing store pumping out more made-in-china dreck. Looks like a pricier H&M, unless I'm really missing something.

Give me my Neiman Marcus!

[LotusLand]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

it sounds like the urban outfitters for the HMV space is a true rumour- UO lists Vancouver BC as a new store opening spring as well not confirmed yet but a friend's friend said he saw a sign at the HMV door or window about urban outfitters hiring for the new store to be located there...

someone be a pip and pop down and see if the signage is true



as well their employment page lists many positions from store manager to merchandiser to sales positions for spring

I saw that sign outside their Granville store and was like new Vancouver store? Oakridge perhaps? But then I talked to my connect at Oakridge and he flat out said no. So i'm guessing they are taking up the old HMV spot, however, maybe the old Esprit location? Don't know Robson is going through some changes.

I just don't see how having two stores so close to each other makes sense and I thought the co. wasn't doing that well.

Also rumblings of Nordstrom going into the ugly building seems to be picking up.

And J. Crew is opening up at PC too. I'll double check on that though.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by LotusLand

Also rumblings of Nordstrom going into the ugly building seems to be picking up.

If they do, let's hope they insist on a pressure-washing at a minimum.

[s211]

Originally Posted by LotusLand

Also rumblings of Nordstrom going into the ugly building seems to be picking up.

In what circles?

[djh]

Urban Outfitters owns Anthropologie, so if the rumour of taking over HMV's store is true, they could potentially use part of the building as an Urban Outfitters, and part as an Anthropologie.

There is a precedent: Winners (apparel) and Homesense (houseware) share a location (The Rise, at Cambie/8th) and they both compete for the same business as Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie within a few blocks of the HMV location.

[LotusLand]

Originally Posted by s211

In what circles?

retail of course.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by s211

ugh... another faceless clothing store pumping out more made-in-china dreck. Looks like a pricier H&M, unless I'm really missing something.

Give me my Neiman Marcus!

its going to be a FLAGSHIP STORE with a FULL "apartment line" .... (with Furniture, Linen, etc) in addition to the men and women clothing lines. the current store only has a taste of the apartment stuff.

[LotusLand]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

its going to be a FLAGSHIP STORE with a FULL "apartment line" .... (with Furniture, Linen, etc) in addition to the men and women clothing lines. the current store only has a taste of the apartment stuff.

Ahh that makes more sense. And if warrants it they'll just close the Granville location I suppose. Similar to how the Apple PC store will probably close once it opens up on Robson

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by LotusLand

Ahh that makes more sense. And if warrants it they'll just close the Granville location I suppose. Similar to how the Apple PC store will probably close once it opens up on Robson

it will become a "boutique store" but will stay open I have been told

[SpongeG]

at least it won't be a car dealership as one of the rumours going around for potential tenants

and wuill be nice to have a full size flagship for UO - i really like their apartment stuff

[Darren Tate]

The HMV space is the perfect location for a full-scale Urban Outfitters. The Granville store is a disappointment. Cramped, disorderly and ugly.