The Official PEI Project Thread

[Just an Islander]

Just an Islander. I see in the Charlottetown Mall two stores closed and one of them relocated out by the Boathouse. The Reitmans and Aredene spaces in the mall are going to be the home to the new bootlegger Jeans Store. If anyone has any info on other shops or business coming please post as it is nice to hear what is going on. i guess the next store to open in the new mall area is Sobeys. As Pet Smart is to open its doors on March 31st.

[apollo]

Has anyone heard were the new fire hall for west royalty is going to be built?

[engpei]

Originally Posted by apollo

Has anyone heard were the new fire hall for west royalty is going to be built?

My guess would be on the vacant land behind the WR community center.

[apollo]

That would be a good location. I was thinking out on Sherwood Road next to EMS or the old pickard site across from the University. Anyone else have any thoughts on a good location?

[hogan2]

I thought they were building one behind the rcmp barricks on university ave, is this scrapped or am i just way off here.

[Just an Islander]

Hello folks. Just an Islander. I heard that there is another Pizza place coming. It is going out in the old Ultramar by Boston Pizza. It a pizza place that was in the building that now has Jacks Pizza. It is Little Caesars that is coming back to Charlottetown. This will make it interesting in the Pizza war in the city now that Pizza Hut and Papa Johns are coming to Charlottetown. So that is two pizza joints once in the Capital City now returning. So this will be interesting.

Just an Islander

[billy1]

I thought that building was currently occupied by Federal Government offices? Where did you hear this?

Little Caesar's has been gone from Charlottetown for about 6-7 years, it will be nice to have them back, I always enjoyed their pizza.

[Just an Islander]

Just an Islander. I have my ways of finding out. I know people that know things that know people that know me who tell me what is coming to the Charlottetown Area. As well did you hear that Weight Watchers is moving out to the new Spencer Drive Mall.

Just an Islander

[Just an Islander]

Has anyone heard what is going in next to the Toys R Us. I heard that it is to be the biggest in the Mairtimes at 35,000 sq ft. Well let me know. Is there any thing going next to Payless that anyone knows of.

Just an Islander

[billy1]

I have no idea where Weight Watchers is now, so maybe it is moving. The Toys R Us is supposed to be the largest in the Maritimes at just under 35,000 sq.ft. when it is constructed.

[Just an Islander]

I see Downtown, that Brits is starting to come alive on Water Street. Also does anyone know what is going in beside the Olive Oil shop on Queen Street. As well where is the Travel store going on North River Road. It is leaving the Charlottetown Mall and moving. They have a sigh up at there location in the Charlottetown Mall. Does anyone know what other stores are going in to eh old Sobeys when they move out besides Toys R Us. I see Great Hobbies is moving over to the building by the Children's Place.

[hogan2]

i think the travel store in the confed mall is also going to north river road. pretty sure thats what the contractor told me.

[braymondg]

APM buying Kays Building



The Guardian
Published on April 5, 2012
Dave Stewart


APM is in the process of buying the former Kays Building in downtown Charlottetown.

Tim Banks, CEO of APM, had argued last summer in favour of preserving the structure after another Charlottetown businessman, Danny Murphy, had applied to the city corporation to demolish it.

The city deferred a vote on demolishing the Kays Building while an engineering assessment was carried out first.

Murphy is now out of the picture while Banks confirmed his company was in the process of buying the building in an earlier interview with The Guardian.

The Guardian learned on Thursday that APM's deal appears to be contingent on the company leveraging $1 million in stimulus money that had been earmarked for restoration of the building. That money was set aside until it was required.

The Guardian was told Thursday that APM is in talks with the provincial government about the stimulus money so the deal hasn't been completed yet.

Banks was not available for comment on Thursday.

APM's plans for the building would not include a hotel.

Mayor Clifford Lee said he isn't privy to APM's interest in the old Kays Building but did say that the engineering assessment carried out on the building determined it is structurally sound.

Lee said no one has come forward, since Murphy's initial application, to ask that the building be demolished.

"I would hope that city council would not even entertain the idea of demolishing the building,'' Lee said Thursday."

"That probably has to be one of the most significant (and) historically important buildings in that end of Charlottetown.''

Lee said some people will interpret that as a roadblock since the perception would be that it would limit the interest.

"I disagree strongly with that. I think you can have development and protect your heritage assets at the same time. I think Charlottetown has done a tremendous job of that.''

If a developer walks away from a project because the city won't let them knock it down, Lee is optimistic someone else will walk into the picture.

That's exactly what happened in this case. Murphy walked away and Banks, who argued for the preservation of the building all along, has entered the picture.

"I want Charlottetown to maintain its uniqueness and heritage preservation. That's a major part of what makes Charlottetown the city that it is.''

[apollo]

Vogue Optical are renovating and moving their head office, along with Island Drafting, into the old Cox and Palmer Building on the corner of Water and Great George St.

[q12]

Originally Posted by billy1

The Toys R Us is supposed to be the largest in the Maritimes at just under 35,000 sq.ft. when it is constructed.

Sorry to burst your bubble but the largest Toys R Us in the Maritimes is in Dartmouth Crossing @ 50,000 square-foot.

And that's only 1.5km away from the 31,000 square foot Mic Mac Mall Toys R Us.

[billy1]

The Toys r us in Dartmouth is a combined baby's r us and toys r us @ 49000 sq ft. It was an executive at Plaza that said it was the largest Toys r Us.

I try not to let trivial things burst my bubble

[q12]

Originally Posted by billy1

The Toys r us in Dartmouth is a combined baby's r us and toys r us @ 49000 sq ft. It was an executive at Plaza that said it was the largest Toys r Us.

I try not to let trivial things burst my bubble

They are all combined, and let's face it in P.E.I. this is big news and not trivial at all.

[Just an Islander]

Hello Folks. Just an Islander getting back to you folks. I was out driving home last night and was coming up to the lights at the Peter Pan Corner and saw the sign in the window of the old Ultramar Gas Station for the New Little Caesars take out. Has anyone heard when it is to open and by the way who is going to be running it. I hear the New Sobeys is just about to open. I see the signs are going up and the garden centre is getting things ready. The new Sobeys is to open up on the 20th of April. Has anyone heard what other stores are going in along with the Toys R US. I hear that Boot Legers is coming as well as Ricky's is also coming to the Charlottetown Mall. I have not heard what other stores are going out by the new Sobeys have you? I see downtown by the Olive Oil store they are opening a shop for speciality foods and sandwiches righty beside the Olive Oil store. As well when is the Hut to re-open on University Ave. Well that is all for today from Just an Islander. As anyone heard when Papa Jones is to open and when is Quzions to open if it is coming. As well does anyone out there know if Montana's is going to be coming for sure. Keep the business stories coming.
Just an Islander. One last thing. I hear that the old Irving in Winslow is going to be a chinese Resturant and I think it is Wayne's from St.Peters Road.

[Just an Islander]

New Sobey’s store offers enhanced food experience

Coffee boutique, international food menu, bevy of gluten-free choices and refrigerated pet food just some of what makes this store different
Topics : Canadian Tire , Islanders , Charlottetown , Atlantic Canada , Babineau Avenue
Walking into the new Sobey’s on Babineau Avenue in Charlottetown is akin to entering the doors of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

It’s almost overwhelming to the senses. In fact, it’s practically a crime to call this place a grocery store because it’s more than that, a whole lot more than that.

A wall of fresh flowers greets shoppers on the left and a sea of freshly-ground coffee, chocolate, fudge and culinary-made cakes hit people on the right.

If that isn’t enough to inspire a sweet tooth, try resisting the sight of a continuously flowing chocolate fountain or the Cows and Anne of Green Gables chocolate bars.

And, there’s a bevy of freshly-made Ganong chocolates and Acadian Maple fudge waiting for shoppers too.

Good thing that Sobey’s has designed a bistro for people to sit and relax right next door.

All of this within the first few feet of the 50,000-square-foot store.

Sobey’s opened its newest store Friday in the new PlazaCorp mall next to the Charlottetown Mall. The company closed its location on Buchanan Drive (across from Canadian Tire) at closing time Thursday night. That location will soon be home to its new tenant, Toys R Us.

The store created such attention that store managers from Sobey’s locations across Atlantic Canada dropped by Thursday to see what all the fuss was about.

Carl Cudmore, store manager, said there’s a purpose behind having the wall of flowers greeting customers.

“Part of well-being is to take flowers home, feel better about yourself,’’ Cudmore said. “Lots of people are into gardening so flowers fits into that well-being mindset that we’re striving for.’’

The new Charlottetown Sobey’s is the first in the chain to offer a section dedicated to K-Cups for those with the specialty coffee makers.

As for the cakes, not only are they extremely tempting to the eyes, they are drenched with fresh fruit, a theme the store is using as Islanders head into summer.

It’s also the first store in the chain to boast its own full-time chef.

Erin Henry, fresh from working in Europe and competing for Canada at the culinary Olympics, is there to make sure no one goes home without the right cooking advice.

“I’m preparing things in the ready-to-cook program for the butcher’s case and the other part of my day I spend out doing demos of whatever looks good for the day,’’ Henry said.

Based on treats she offered to the media during a tour Thursday, it would be a good idea to be there when she’s doing those demos.

The store also boasts a rather large seafood section, complete with a 13-pound lobster on display.

After that is an international meat section with everything from bison, elk and dear meat to ostrich and frog legs. There’s plenty to choose from — Caribbean, Asian and Dutch flavours and much more.

The centre of the store appears different from the rest in that it is extremely well lit. There, customers will find the store’s wellness co-ordinator with insights on an extensive range of natural source and well-being products.

There are five isles of natural products to choose from, including plenty of gluten-free choices. One in 133 people in the world suffer from Celiac Disease so gluten-free food is a fast-growing industry.

Towards the end of the tour came rows and rows of pet food. It’s the only store in Atlantic Canada that boasts its own refrigerated pet food. There’s even bulk bins to load up on doggy treats.

Brian Morrissey, general manager of Sobey’s in Atlantic Canada, said the new Charlottetown store is about more than simply selling food.

“It’s all about offering customers the best food shopping experience, which is why we’re opening this brand new store in West Royalty,’’ Morrissey said. “It’s the first store on the Island to feature out most innovative offer to date."

[billy1]

Charlottetown boom forces staff shuffling


The City of Charlottetown has moved more people into its planning department to deal with a doubling of the value of building permits issued this year over last.

New construction is taking place just about everywhere and in different sectors, said planning board chair Coun. Rob Lantz.
"It's not all public sector demand," said Lantz.
"There's a lot of private sector development happening, and I'm even aware of a couple of significant retail/commercial developments that have not quite got to the permitting stage yet but are coming down the pipe, and they're really going to be significant."

'The city is short-staffed but I don't think I can throw a lot of criticism at them.'— developer Tim Banks

Lantz said the boom is great for the city, but it has been a struggle for staff to keep up.
"That's been a really big challenge for us," he said.
"That's something we're sitting down to address right now. Our planning officers are pretty overwhelmed."
Charlottetown developer Tim Banks has experienced that backlog at city hall first-hand, but he understands the city's situation.
"The city is short-staffed but I don't think I can throw a lot of criticism at them," said Banks.
"They're dealing with permits as they come in to the best they can do. You know, they are sort of addressing it like a forest fire. They're putting out the hotspots."

Source - cbc.ca