General Retail News

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Realy!? I didn't know they already started to open the stand alones.

they opened in vancouver about two years ago - across from holt renfrew on granville street - much better selection in it than the grocery store ones

[MichelKazan]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Promenades de l'Outaouais looking to expand. Oxford properties is looking to do so from here to 3-4 years from now. They also say something about kicking out the feds from the small office building on the south side of the mall and the possible re-location of the food court (so safe to say the expansion would be at the south/east corner of the mall).

Article in French only;


http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/economie...presse_vous_suggere_4591906_article_POS2

I don't think that there any government offices in that small office tower on the south side of the mall. I believe those are only professional offices (lawyer, dentist etc..). The government offices are the taxation offices on the north side of the mall facing Maloney. That combined with the now vacated spaces from the Mega Furniture Store could be put together to make some valuable retail space.

[Harley613]

The Mierin's family is doing some Car Dealership shuffling in the next couple of years.
Ogilvie Motors Subaru and Elite BMW at St. Laurent and Ogilvie will be torn down and then Elite BMW will be rebuilt as a much larger BMW store. Ogilvie Motors Subaru will be moved across the highway (and presumably renamed) right behind Bytek Volkswagen. The permit sign is up at this site. Here are the two sites.

[AuxTown]

Wow, where will I have my car serviced in the meantime!?!

[Harley613]

If it's a Beemer you'll have to make the trek to Otto's on Hunt Club. They have great service. For Scooby-doo there's Otto's in Westboro.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by MichelKazan

I don't think that there any government offices in that small office tower on the south side of the mall. I believe those are only professional offices (lawyer, dentist etc..). The government offices are the taxation offices on the north side of the mall facing Maloney. That combined with the now vacated spaces from the Mega Furniture Store could be put together to make some valuable retail space.

That makes more sense, thanks for the clarification.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Harley613

The Mierin's family is doing some Car Dealership shuffling in the next couple of years.
Ogilvie Motors Subaru and Elite BMW at St. Laurent and Ogilvie will be torn down and then Elite BMW will be rebuilt as a much larger BMW store. Ogilvie Motors Subaru will be moved across the highway (and presumably renamed) right behind Bytek Volkswagen. The permit sign is up at this site. Here are the two sites.

I guess they're preparing for the major rezoning of the area.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by MichelKazan

I don't think that there any government offices in that small office tower on the south side of the mall. I believe those are only professional offices (lawyer, dentist etc..). The government offices are the taxation offices on the north side of the mall facing Maloney. That combined with the now vacated spaces from the Mega Furniture Store could be put together to make some valuable retail space.

I was thinking that if Simons went there they would build an addition onto the south side of the mall (the chemin de la Savane side) where there is lots of space and excess parking, plus they will likely get back space from the STO bus stops when the Rapibus is operational.

But this front (Maloney) side might also do the trick. And if I was Simons that's the side I would want to be on because Maloney has way more traffic than de la Savane. Although they'd likely have to make do with the space that is there as there is not much space to expand as the parking section between that entrance and the road (Maloney) is already slim to begin with.

Simons tends to build stores in the 100,000 square foot range. Which is about the size of the ground floor of the two-floor Bay store at Les Promenades. The Revenue Canada offices plus the vacant Méga Meubles are probably pretty close to that size together.

[c_speed3108]

Originally Posted by O-Town Hockey

Wow, where will I have my car serviced in the meantime!?!

Ogilvie motors owns/has the old Acadia Motors site near St. Laurent and Montreal Rd. They ran their Mercedes-Benz service centre out of that building while they renovated the service department at that dealership. They did a fair amount of renovations on it beforehand.

https://maps.google.com/?ll=45.441484,-7...OMuoqUPK-dvteNTP3AA&cbp=12,65.95,,0,2.35

As an aside, it has never really seemed to bother them that the Mercedes-Benz component of Ogilvie Motors was not on Ogilvie road anymore. I doubt it will be an issue with Subaru, although it is getting further away.


Near-by Mark Motors is splitting Audi from Porche - Audi going down near Ogilvie Motors territory...

[wingman]

Originally Posted by MichelKazan

I don't think that there any government offices in that small office tower on the south side of the mall. I believe those are only professional offices (lawyer, dentist etc..). The government offices are the taxation offices on the north side of the mall facing Maloney. That combined with the now vacated spaces from the Mega Furniture Store could be put together to make some valuable retail space.

The tower on the south side of les Promenades does have Federal offices in there, HRSDC to be specific. Though that small (3 story) tower is not accessible from inside the mall.

The plan to expand would be in the south east corner of the parking area. Supposedly a parking garage is part of the initial plans (could change). The food court would be relocated (to the new area I assume).

Keep in mind that Target is going in the Galeries Gatineau right across the street from the mall, meaning increased traffic. Plus, with Costco in the mall the traffic has increased incredibly over the past few years anyway.

The addition of a Simons would be a coup for that area!

[J.OT13]

I was supprised they didn't add a parking garage when they built the Costco.

[Harley613]

Myer's Volkswagen is also moving to the Palladium Auto Park in Spring 2013. That location in Bell's Corners is and always has been a joke. It's literally rammed up against a railroad embankment. Hopefully the resulting claustrophobia is the reason for their long heritage of crappy service under both the old and new ownership and they can turn things around.
http://www.obj.ca/Local/2012-09-14/article-3075501/Myers-constructing-Kanata-VW-dealership/1

[Radster]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Simons tends to build stores in the 100,000 square foot range. Which is about the size of the ground floor of the two-floor Bay store at Les Promenades. The Revenue Canada offices plus the vacant Méga Meubles are probably pretty close to that size together.

Anyone visit The Bay at Les Promenades recently? Its depressing, outdated and has very low traffic, seems like only a matter of time before they close shop at that location, as they can't be making any money! If that happens, for sure Simons will move into that space.

In either case, I would love to see Simons move in to Les Promenades, they would not only increase shopping traffic at the mall, but also stand out from the rest, architecturally-speaking. Their most recent openings are quite pleasing to the eye! http://www.simons.ca/eng/simons/our-history.cfm

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Radster

Anyone visit The Bay at Les Promenades recently? Its depressing, outdated and has very low traffic, seems like only a matter of time before they close shop at that location, as they can't be making any money! If that happens, for sure Simons will move into that space.

In either case, I would love to see Simons move in to Les Promenades, they would not only increase shopping traffic at the mall, but also stand out from the rest, architecturally-speaking. Their most recent openings are quite pleasing to the eye! http://www.simons.ca/eng/simons/our-history.cfm

Ultimately it is not just up to them but I doubt the mall would want to lose the Bay even if they get a Simons, which they see as a plus, not as a replacement.

[MichelKazan]

Even if the Mega/Revenue Canada space is not enough square footage, could a Simons store in that spot be 2 levels? If I'm not mistaken, the downtown Montreal, Laval and Saint-Bruno stores are all 2 levels (haven't been to the other locations).

I don't think it would be a good idea for The Bay at les Promenades to close even if Simons does move in shortly thereafter. Remember what happened in the late 90s when Eatons closed at the other end? That end of the mall was dead for years.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by MichelKazan

Even if the Mega/Revenue Canada space is not enough square footage, could a Simons store in that spot be 2 levels? If I'm not mistaken, the downtown Montreal, Laval and Saint-Bruno stores are all 2 levels (haven't been to the other locations)..

Good points. Even just on one floor I think the space is pretty close to being sufficient, so if they built over two floors it would be a no-brainer.

Originally Posted by MichelKazan

I don't think it would be a good idea for The Bay at les Promenades to close even if Simons does move in shortly thereafter. Remember what happened in the late 90s when Eatons closed at the other end? That end of the mall was dead for years.

It really depends on where the Hudson's Bay Company is at this point in its corporate evolution. If they are on the upswing and trying to rejuvenate themselves then Les Promenades offers great potential that they would be foolish to pass up. Especially if Simons comes there, it will become a major force to be reckoned with in the regional retail marketplace.

On the other hand if The Bay is in decline and they are just trying to stop the hemorrhage (à la Sears) then yeah stores like Gatineau are the ones they'd get rid of, while refocusing on the core landmark stores like Rideau St. Ste-Catherine, Yonge, etc.

[jslath]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Good points. Even just on one floor I think the space is pretty close to being sufficient, so if they built over two floors it would be a no-brainer.



It really depends on where the Hudson's Bay Company is at this point in its corporate evolution. If they are on the upswing and trying to rejuvenate themselves then Les Promenades offers great potential that they would be foolish to pass up. Especially if Simons comes there, it will become a major force to be reckoned with in the regional retail marketplace.

On the other hand if The Bay is in decline and they are just trying to stop the hemorrhage (à la Sears) then yeah stores like Gatineau are the ones they'd get rid of, while refocusing on the core landmark stores like Rideau St. Ste-Catherine, Yonge, etc.

Just take a look at some of the Hudson's Bay stores that have finished their renovations. The flagship stores are done and now they are working on other stores; they look great. A renovated Hudson's Bay & Simons would compliment each other at Les Promenades.

Also, hopefully Hudson's Bay on Rideau Street will undergo renovations soon, that store has a lot of potential especially with Nordstrom coming.

[McC]

Originally Posted by MichelKazan

Even if the Mega/Revenue Canada space is not enough square footage, could a Simons store in that spot be 2 levels? If I'm not mistaken, the downtown Montreal, Laval and Saint-Bruno stores are all 2 levels (haven't been to the other locations).

The Montreal store is a little odd, it has the main level, a small Mezzanine and another level which is larger than the mezzanine but smaller than the main level. I bet if you just counted floor space, it would be effectively the equivalent of two levels, but the way it's arranged you get an enormous open space when you come in to the store that's completely different from the often claustrophobic department store layouts we tend to see around here. Then the escalators up to the other small levels (and down to the Metro level) are arranged around that cool glass sculpture, and they give great views overlooking the store (it's great way to find your partner when shopping in different sections!)

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by MichelKazan

I don't think it would be a good idea for The Bay at les Promenades to close even if Simons does move in shortly thereafter. Remember what happened in the late 90s when Eatons closed at the other end? That end of the mall was dead for years.

There was an Eatons at Les Promenades? Where was it?

As for the Bay on Rideau Street, why are they taking so long to modernize it? They have to move their behinds before the Rideau Centre expansion and Nordstrom opens.

I hope they leave the old Rideau frontage windows open; it would real;y brighten up the store and give the old building more street presence at night (as I am sure it had in the Freiman days). And they had better connect to the subway and Rideau Centre.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

There was an Eatons at Les Promenades? Where was it?

Very roughly where the Costco is today.

It had a somewhat smaller footprint than the Costco though.

Les Promenades was expanded a bit to the west (towards Gréber) and the south (Chemin de la Savane) in order to bring in the Costco.