London's Malls

[MolsonExport]

^— news. When I first moved to London (2005), we had an apt across from Westmount mall. It was extremely convenient, since we were still carless. The mall was quite healthy back then...most of the dumbcentre to the South was not yet constructed (only Blob-laws, LCBO, Crappytire, and a handful of others). More of the usal robbing Peter to pay Paul.
It would really — if Sherwood mall's location was shuttered. It is a mostly thriving micro-mall, with a great mixture of useful stores (banks, Beer/LCBO, grocery, pharmacy, pet food, kids shoes, restaurants, etc.). Like most malls used to be, before morphing into Ladies-wear/shoes emporiums and big box barf.

I go to Sherwood 3-4 times per week for something or other. Metro is running the locations into the ground with ever-reduced store hours. Not surprised as this was their m/o back in Quebec as well. I can't stand stupidstore and No-Thrills (both Blob-laws brands...in fact, I hate Blob-laws as well with their ridiculously high prices: $10.99 for 500grams of Cracker Barrel? are you — nutz??).

[haljackey]

I remember when both The Beer Store and the LCBO along with banks were at Westmount Mall. It was the place to do all your shopping in one place with underground parking.

Why on earth did we abandon that in favor of paved paradise/smart centres? Now we need to drive everywhere which makes trips longer and no sheltered parking either.

At least the post office is still there... but Westmount Mall is a lost cause now. It's hurting even more with the theatres outside of the mall itself and more recently with Zellers gone. I doubt things will pick up much when Target opens.

[MolsonExport]

Here is the article on the closing in the LFP (or is it the Bud pages?): http://www.lfpress.com/2012/10/12/metro-...s-westmount-shopping-centre-cuts-61-jobs

[MolsonExport]

At least they did it with heartfelt dignity:

am980

Above is what employees were treated to this morning. Heartless bastards. Wonderful HR manager. Hey Paul Rucurean, did you learn the art of subtlety at b-school?

[Wharn]

A friend of mine lives across from Sherwood Forest Mall in the townhouses on Gainsborough Road. That metro was one of the reasons (the list of which no doubt included the Beer Store) she renewed her lease this year- because it was just so convenient for someone without a car to pop across the street and get groceries.

She was very pissed off when I texted the news, as manny pointed out there are literally no other grocery options in the area for people who don't have a set of wheels. And considering how many students live around there, I'm very surprised that they decided to close this location. Didn't they realize that they commanded their own little niche? They had a competitive advantage Loblaws and No Freds couldn't achieve, and just pissed it away.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by Wharn

A friend of mine lives across from Sherwood Forest Mall in the townhouses on Gainsborough Road. That metro was one of the reasons (the list of which no doubt included the Beer Store) she renewed her lease this year- because it was just so convenient for someone without a car to pop across the street and get groceries.

She was very pissed off when I texted the news, as manny pointed out there are literally no other grocery options in the area for people who don't have a set of wheels. And considering how many students live around there, I'm very surprised that they decided to close this location. Didn't they realize that they commanded their own little niche? They had a competitive advantage Loblaws and No Freds couldn't achieve, and just pissed it away.

I have heard nothing more about the Sherwood Forest Mall location; I have to wonder if it was nothing more than a rumour. My source was someone on the CTV London Facebook page who claimed that store was closing, in response to CTV's post about Westmount's Metro.

Another possibility is that Metro at Sherwood Forest is planning a switch to Food Basics, which would mean technically Metro would be leaving. But I have no information beyond speculation and the Facebook post.

[MolsonExport]

^I hope sherwood retains a full scale grocery store. It is one of the last functional shopping malls anywhere: banks, pharmacy, groceries, beer, spirits, restaurants...without having to drive from one to the other as with the dumbcentres. I am there practically every day.

[haljackey]

Went to Cherryhill mall for the first time today.

Actually a legit place. Its like Oxbury Mall.... except alive.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by haljackey

Went to Cherryhill mall for the first time today.

Actually a legit place. Its like Oxbury Mall.... except alive.

Cherryhill has a great marketing strategy. Probably 90% of their clientele are seniors. Much of the rest are Western students, as the Metro there is the only grocery store southwest of the university now.

Oxbury is a lost cause. I'd like to see the property redeveloped into some sort of multi-use development and residential development, while keeping a grocery store there.

[manny_santos]

According to my sources in the Westmount area, the Metro store has already closed, more than a month ahead of schedule.

I did hear a rumour that Sobey's might be taking over that space, converting it to a FreshCo. While it would be great to keep a grocery store in that location, the FreshCo format does not include a bakery, butcher, or deli counter.

[haljackey]

A FreshCo is being built at Wonderland and Pine Valley, where the old White Rose used to be.

Not sure what will replace the Metro in Westmount. It is now separated from the mall itself and Target will have a grocery section. It could sit vacant for some time.

[Whisper09]

^
Does anyone know what the building structure next to Cotton Eyed Joes is? I heard rumours of a Five Guys, even an Applebee's.

[MrSlippery519]

Originally Posted by haljackey

A FreshCo is being built at Wonderland and Pine Valley, where the old White Rose used to be.

Not sure what will replace the Metro in Westmount. It is now separated from the mall itself and Target will have a grocery section. It could sit vacant for some time.

I was wondering what they were doing at the old White Rose location as I say them digging over the past few weeks. Good to know as the area needs something to replace the Metro. Also this location has plenty of apartments all around it.

[MolsonExport]

That White Rose sign has been kicking around for about a decade. I moved here in 2005, and the store was long since closed. About time something is done with that spot. Hopefully they will take out that adjacent arch-fugly former CIBC (with black tape covering the old logo/name). I hate the way businesses abandon locations without proper cleanup. Remember the mouldering Crappy-Tire location on Wonderland South, before it became a U-Store it place?

Westmount Shopping Centre: Watch us Transform....into an abandoned mall!

[MrSlippery519]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

That White Rose sign has been kicking around for about a decade. I moved here in 2005, and the store was long since closed. About time something is done with that spot. Hopefully they will take out that adjacent arch-fugly former CIBC (with black tape covering the old logo/name). I hate the way businesses abandon locations without proper cleanup. Remember the mouldering Crappy-Tire location on Wonderland South, before it became a U-Store it place?

Westmount Shopping Centre: Watch us Transform....into an abandoned mall!

The old CIBC was being demolished when I went by last week so thankfully that entire site will be new.

Agreed about the old crappy tire I work up the road and it was an eyesore for years.

[haljackey]

One mall I'd really like to see fixed up is the London mall at Oxford and Wonderland.

That intersection has now become one of the busiest in the city and what's there around it? Gas stations on two sides, a corn field on another and a dying mall. Would make a great site for redevelopment.

[MolsonExport]

London Mall and Oxbury Mall are both no-hope malls, at critical intersections. It points to the fundamental weakness of the local economy that each has not been redeveloped yet (although with the city always zoning more retail on the periphery....)

[Simpseatles]

Why the heck would they close that Metro? There should be more than enough people who shop there with all the apartments and such. Is everybody expected to drive out to giant supermarkets on the outskirts of town to get their groceries now? Metros are good sized stores. They aren't overwhelming like the Superstore or Loblaws.

Sad news for Westmount Mall. Is the underground parking still open? That was one of the things that made that mall the best in the city imo.

[north 42]

Damn, just how many malls do you guys have in London?

[Coldrsx]

I always like hearing that Masonville is doing well, for my grandparents who resided in London most of their lives on Huron, were of the surname Mason.