Winnipeg Retail - Page 34

spiritedenergy · #**661** Posted **Jun 25, 2012, 1:38 AM**

wanted to buy a book and went to mcnelly robinson at polo park, only to find out that they closed. WTF? they should have stayed at portage place, at least they could get customers for concerts and those kind of events, it was nice there

roccerfeller · #**662** Posted **Jun 25, 2012, 2:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiritedenergy

wanted to buy a book and went to mcnelly robinson at polo park, only to find out that they closed. WTF? they should have stayed at portage place, at least they could get customers for concerts and those kind of events, it was nice there

haha where ya been man?? been closed for a while

Bdog · #**663** Posted **Jun 25, 2012, 2:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by roccerfeller

haha where ya been man?? been closed for a while

At least two years...

cheswick · #**664** Posted **Jun 25, 2012, 12:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiritedenergy

wanted to buy a book and went to mcnelly robinson at polo park, only to find out that they closed. WTF? they should have stayed at portage place, at least they could get customers for concerts and those kind of events, it was nice there

Clearly they weren't making money or they would have stayed there. And yeah McNally in polo park shut down in jan of 2010....

spiritedenergy · #**665** Posted **Jun 27, 2012, 7:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheswick

Clearly they weren't making money or they would have stayed there. And yeah McNally in polo park shut down in jan of 2010....

i never go to polo park so i had no idea... and i guess they hoped to make more money at polo park than portage place, but they were wrong, and with the jets and hydro building there they could have incresed their business, who knows.

cllew · #**666** Posted **Jun 27, 2012, 8:41 PM**

At the time they closed these two stores they blamed the internet book sellers like Amazon for taking a big bite out of their sales.

armorand93 · #**667** Posted **Jun 27, 2012, 10:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cllew

At the time they closed these two stores they blamed the internet book sellers like Amazon for taking a big bite out of their sales.

I would've bought a book if I had a job for my then-16 year old ass...

YYCguys · #**668** Posted **Jun 28, 2012, 2:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cllew

At the time they closed these two stores they blamed the internet book sellers like Amazon for taking a big bite out of their sales.

In other words, McNally Robinson was not willing (or able) to adjust to the times and cater to what the customers needs are in the current environment. How are stores like Chapters and Indigo staying relevant?

flatlander · #**669** Posted **Jun 28, 2012, 2:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by YYCguys

In other words, McNally Robinson was not willing (or able) to adjust to the times and cater to what the customers needs are in the current environment. How are stores like Chapters and Indigo staying relevant?

McNally Robinson is a great bookseller. They were fine except that a new store in Toronto dragged them down (the whole power centre sucked wind). The fact that they couldn't make a go of it in Portage Place speaks more to the mall than it does to the retailer.

People don't pick up books on the way to Jet games. Although I quite enjoyed their cafe.

vid · #**670** Posted **Jun 28, 2012, 10:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by YYCguys

How are stores like Chapters and Indigo staying relevant?

Chapters, Indigo and Coles are the same thing. Thunder Bay's Chapters (which is open longer hours than any locations in Winnipeg for some reason) sells furniture, knick-knacks, has a Starbucks (one of the busiest coffee shops in town since it is close to the university), and has a large kids play area. They also sell e-book readers.

Books aren't really the main focus anymore. Most people that I see there are buying something else.

SpongeG · #**671** Posted **Jun 29, 2012, 5:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiritedenergy

i never go to polo park so i had no idea... and i guess they hoped to make more money at polo park than portage place, but they were wrong, and with the jets and hydro building there they could have incresed their business, who knows.

they also shut their store in toronto at the same time, it was only open a few months, so you can't really blame a move within winnipeg for them closing their retail operations, they would have closed down no matter where they were located in winnipeg

-----

as for indigo/chapters - they have done a good job diversifying their offerings, they have a lot of home decor now and kitchen goodies, food, gift items, candles etc as well they have a great kids section with lots of toys, they removed the music and movies sections, downsized them to a rack at the cashiers pretty much

cheswick · #**672** Posted **Jul 5, 2012, 6:18 PM**

A couple of things I noticed walking around at lunch.

1. Cityplace foodcourt has signs up indicating they will be opening up an outdoor patio. They previously had one but it was taken down when they expanded the skywalk to cross the street.

2. IMAX theatre in Portage Place will be showing the new Batman movie on the general release date. As far as I know outside of educational films every movie that they've played there opened well after its been in other theatres. I'm sure that will bring some more people to the mall.

AB Born · #**673** Posted **Jul 20, 2012, 7:16 AM**

Hi guys, I have family in Winnipeg... they want to know when Bed Bath & Beyond is supposed to open. Anyone here know?

Biff · #**674** Posted **Jul 20, 2012, 1:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB Born

Hi guys, I have family in Winnipeg... they want to know when Bed Bath & Beyond is supposed to open. Anyone here know?

The one proposed last year had an issue with the lease and zoning arrangement and now is uncertain when or if it will open.

vid · #**675** Posted **Jul 20, 2012, 10:00 PM**

Pretty sure there are locally owned stores in Winnipeg that sell towels.

SpongeG · #**676** Posted **Jul 20, 2012, 10:12 PM**

maybe they need the "beyond" stuff - that dept is whacky, whacky full on

vid · #**677** Posted **Jul 20, 2012, 10:54 PM**

There are stores in Winnipeg that sell whacky, whacky full on.

SpongeG · #**678** Posted **Jul 21, 2012, 5:30 AM**

obviously not if these people need bed bath & beyond

Mininari · #**679** Posted **Jul 22, 2012, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

The one proposed last year had an issue with the lease and zoning arrangement and now is uncertain when or if it will open.

What, are they proposing a rooftop patio or something? How is a BB&B store any different than all the other medium and big-box retail in the Kenaston area? I guess parking... if its the site that I think it is, then its a long, narrow strip that maybe isn't best for a medium-sized store?

Maybe they'll resubmit plans for Seasons of Tuxedo instead.

Biff · #**680** Posted **Jul 22, 2012, 6:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mininari

What, are they proposing a rooftop patio or something? How is a BB&B store any different than all the other medium and big-box retail in the Kenaston area? I guess parking... if its the site that I think it is, then its a long, narrow strip that maybe isn't best for a medium-sized store?

Maybe they'll resubmit plans for Seasons of Tuxedo instead.

I guess they applied too late in the summer and there were some delays to the point where they couldn't get the structure enclosed before winter. I know they didn't want to pay to hoard and heat so they scrapped it until this year. There must have been other issues as well because the land is fo lease again.