General Retail News - Page 33

J.OT13 · #**641** Posted **Nov 14, 2012, 5:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

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.

I use to go to High School across the street, and I remember Les Promenades before Costco and doors in that corner, but I can't recall a department store sized building in that corner (although I wasn't as observant in those days).

Acajack · #**642** Posted **Nov 14, 2012, 5:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I use to go to High School across the street, and I remember Les Promenades before Costco and doors in that corner, but I can't recall a department store sized building in that corner (although I wasn't as observant in those days).

Eaton would have closed its store sometime around 1995-1997 I would say.

After that for a while the space was a Laura clearance centre that looked quite crappy.

Then Laura moved into its permanent space near Archambault, and I think the space was vacant for several years before it was revamped for the Costco.

Norman Bates · #**643** Posted **Nov 16, 2012, 1:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

This was originally the PDI and wash up area for Carl Elliot Chev-Olds. They built that funny VW showroom onto the garages where the clean-up crews used to work.

As for that VW dealership, it remains one of the worst sales experiences I've ever had.

Harley613 · #**644** Posted **Nov 16, 2012, 3:56 PM**

Belisle Chevrolet at Montreal Road and St. Laurent announced yesterday that they are closing and the land has been sold to a developer for high rise condos.

Acajack · #**645** Posted **Nov 16, 2012, 4:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

Belisle Chevrolet at Montreal Road and St. Laurent announced yesterday that they are closing and the land has been sold to a developer for high rise condos.

Wow. This is really the end of an era for this part of Ottawa.

Norman Bates · #**646** Posted **Nov 16, 2012, 8:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

Belisle Chevrolet at Montreal Road and St. Laurent announced yesterday that they are closing and the land has been sold to a developer for high rise condos.

Belisle specialized in selling to an older - and predominantly francophone clientele.

They had by far the most attractive showroom in the region.

A sad day to see it close. Another sign of the changing times. My guess is that Hank Mews must be breaking open the champagne right about now.

I wonder who will sell Cadillac in the east end?

kevinbottawa · #**647** Posted **Nov 16, 2012, 10:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

Belisle Chevrolet at Montreal Road and St. Laurent announced yesterday that they are closing and the land has been sold to a developer for high rise condos.

That sucks. That's where I get my car fixed. They have good service.

eternallyme · #**648** Posted **Nov 17, 2012, 10:25 PM**

Are there any east end auto malls like Palladium planned? That would allow for even more redevelopment in their current locations. Somewhere like Walkley/417 would be a great place.

Retail-Insider · #**649** Posted **Nov 17, 2012, 11:22 PM**

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your Forum contributions. I'd like to reference this Forum and any contributions/contributors who might have information relevant to my website, Retail Insider.

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In return, I'll do my best to update this Forum with any retail-related insider info I might receive...

rocketphish · #**650** Posted **Nov 18, 2012, 4:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

Belisle Chevrolet at Montreal Road and St. Laurent announced yesterday that they are closing and the land has been sold to a developer for high rise condos.

That's a fair-sized chunk of land, and could easily accommodate a multi-tower development:

McC · #**651** Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 4:10 PM**

I guess that the dead are already used to the shade ;-)

Proof Sheet · #**652** Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 6:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketphish

That's a fair-sized chunk of land, and could easily accommodate a multi-tower development:

So the bank and the body shop along St Laurent are not part of it. When I first read the headlines I was thinking of the GM dealer further to the south on the east side (Surgenor?).

gjhall · #**653** Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 8:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proof Sheet

So the bank and the body shop along St Laurent are not part of it. When I first read the headlines I was thinking of the GM dealer further to the south on the east side (Surgenor?).

But they could be part of the assembly, but just purchased quietly.

c_speed3108 · #**654** Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 9:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjhall

But they could be part of the assembly, but just purchased quietly.

I suspect the body shop would be pretty easy to purchase. This is really it's best chance at sale.

BMO will depend on what they want to do. If they can find another location nearby with what they have now (parking and whatnot), they might be willing. If not, then probably no.

There is also the possibility of them going in the new development somehow.

c_speed3108 · #**655** Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 10:52 PM**

On CFRA they mention in house leases will be transferred to Surgenor . I wonder if they might also pick up the Cadillac and Chevy brands too since they lost two brands (Hummer and Pontiac) when GM reorganized.

Surgenor did open a shinny new Hyundai dealership.

Harley613 · #**656** Posted **Nov 20, 2012, 4:23 AM**

surgenor did buy the lease portfolio. i'm involved in this but i can't mention further details.

wingman · #**657** Posted **Nov 28, 2012, 2:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Eaton would have closed its store sometime around 1995-1997 I would say.

After that for a while the space was a Laura clearance centre that looked quite crappy.

Then Laura moved into its permanent space near Archambault, and I think the space was vacant for several years before it was revamped for the Costco.

Oxford did a presser yesterday:
http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/economie/201211/27/01-4598340-une-cure-de-80-millions.php

The old Eatons section was completly removed from les Promenades. The Costo building was totally new. The old Eatons space was empty for many years, true.

Oxford pretty much confirmed that if Simons comes they would take over the space on the front of the mall (Mega/CRA). Imagine a 2 story all glass front on there; would be pretty sweet looking. Also found it interesting they want to bring a grocer back into the mix. Good reasoning. The last grocer there was in the current Urban Planet space (Metro - moved up on Montee Paiement a few years back). That would have to be an expansion as there is no space in that mall big enough to house a grocery store. Wonder if they are trying to convince Market Fresh to join them?

J.OT13 · #**658** Posted **Nov 28, 2012, 5:23 PM**

You read the article and listen to these people talk and it's like Gatineau is an independant city. A region of 300,000 people; no, it's 1.4 million with Ottawa a short drive to shop at more prominant malls like Rideau and St-Laurent.

But don't get me wrong, it's great for Gatineau, maybe less so for Ottawa.

Harley613 · #**659** Posted **Nov 28, 2012, 5:32 PM**

I think many people in the land of poutine and pepsi would rather stay on that side if they had a real destination shopping mall. Parking at Rideau is unappealing and you have to go through downtown to get to St. Laurent. I think they might be on to something with talks of a Simons and a renovation.

Acajack · #**660** Posted **Nov 28, 2012, 5:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

You read the article and listen to these people talk and it's like Gatineau is an independant city. A region of 300,000 people; no, it's 1.4 million with Ottawa a short drive to shop at more prominant malls like Rideau and St-Laurent.

But don't get me wrong, it's great for Gatineau, maybe less so for Ottawa.

It *is* an independent city. Though your points are correct but of course it is to Oxford's advantage to have Gatinois shop at Les Promenades since they own that mall.