Rideau Centre Expansion | Completed - Page 10

mac_junkie1 · #**181** Posted **Mar 17, 2013, 4:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by brentgaulois

Definitely agree with you. My grandmother used to work there as a supervisor (or floor manager?) there in the '60s and '70s (maybe '80s?). I'll have to find out more from her, would be interesting if she had any photographs.

That's really cool. If she has ANY photos of the inside, it would be great if I could possibly use a few in my "book project", or even better, I encourage you to post them in my Facebook page about the store. Does she have any stories, maybe department placements??

brentgaulois · #**182** Posted **Mar 17, 2013, 4:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac_junkie1

That's really cool. If she has ANY photos of the inside, it would be great if I could possibly use a few in my "book project", or even better, I encourage you to post them in my Facebook page about the store. Does she have any stories, maybe department placements??

I hope she has older photos of the building. As for asking about stories, it'll be a while before I get them. I'm currently in Montreal (for undergrad) and I won't be back in Ottawa until April/May. But I vaguely remember her saying something about how the company awarded employees stock shares, and that it wasn't a bad idea for the store?

In any case, I'll for sure find out soon. I'll also ask her about any construction projects she remembers as my grandfather worked on several buildings.

c_speed3108 · #**183** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 2:08 PM**

Cadillac Fairview looking at Simons again now that Sears is gone and the Bay is technically not in the mall...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-inv...tle-for-high-end-tenants/article9862235/

Acajack · #**184** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 2:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_speed3108

Cadillac Fairview looking at Simons again now that Sears is gone and the Bay is technically not in the mall...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-inv...tle-for-high-end-tenants/article9862235/

Sounds like a bit of a battle looming. Oxford owns Les Promenades in Gatineau now and wants Simons too.

kwoldtimer · #**185** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 2:42 PM**

The market could certainly support two Simons, but I don't know that Simons could afford both. Certainly the Rideau Centre would give them the more prestigious location.

Acajack · #**186** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 2:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

The market could certainly support two Simons, but I don't know that Simons could afford both. Certainly the Rideau Centre would give them the more prestigious location.

I doubt they would put two stores less than 10 km from each other.

J.OT13 · #**187** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 3:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

I doubt they would put two stores less than 10 km from each other.

I realize that Montreal is a much bigger market and that it has a populous that is very familiar with Simons, but it is still worth noting that only 5,7 kilometers separate their Downtown location and Verdun.

The third one is 20 kilometers away in Laval.

The Rideau Centre and Les Promenades are 9,2 kilometers apart.

Update: after reading the article, I wonder if CF will try to entice Holt Renfrew to move into the Rideau Centre. But between Simons, H&M and Holt, that wouldn't leave a whole lot of room for smaller newcomers.

Acajack · #**188** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 3:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I realize that Montreal is a much bigger market and that it has a populous that is very familiar with Simons, but it is still worth noting that only 5,7 kilometers separate their Downtown location and Verdun.

The third one is 20 kilometers away in Laval.

The Rideau Centre and Les Promenades are 9,2 kilometers apart.

Verdun? I don't think there is a Simons in Verdun. I think you may be referring to the one they are going to be opening in Ville d'Anjou? But I think that's at least or more than 10 km from downtown Montreal.

The two closest Simons to each other may be the two in Quebec City (downtown and Ste-Foy).

McC · #**189** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 3:47 PM**

Their three stores in and around Québec City are less than 10km apart, too.

J.OT13 · #**190** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 4:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Verdun? I don't think there is a Simons in Verdun. I think you may be referring to the one they are going to be opening in Ville d'Anjou? But I think that's at least or more than 10 km from downtown Montreal.

The two closest Simons to each other may be the two in Quebec City (downtown and Ste-Foy).

Sorry, Google Maps showed me the wrong thing; I should have checked out street view to confirm.

But McC was right about Québec city; distance between Simons in le Vieux-Québec and St-Foy is only 7.4 kilometers and between le Vieux-Quebec and Boul. des Galeries is 9.2 kilometers.

JackBauer24 · #**191** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 9:52 PM**

Any rumors about 'Belle de Provence' and their delicious steams coming too?

Norman Bates · #**192** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 11:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Update: after reading the article, I wonder if CF will try to entice Holt Renfrew to move into the Rideau Centre. But between Simons, H&M and Holt, that wouldn't leave a whole lot of room for smaller newcomers.

There's been rumours of Holt Renfrew moving to the Rideau Centre for the last decade or so.

I never understood why they stayed in 240 except for the free weekend parking.

kwoldtimer · #**193** Posted **Mar 19, 2013, 12:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

Any rumors about 'Belle de Provence' and their delicious steams coming too?

You mean "La Belle Province"?

eternallyme · #**194** Posted **Mar 19, 2013, 12:41 AM**

Also regarding that article, I doubt Sears will be around for much longer personally either.

I think we are going to see fewer malls in most cities, but they will be more productive to say the least. Is there room for another anchor in the Rideau Centre, even with the expansion? One way to "cheat" an expansion is to buy out the retailers sitting between Nicholas and Dalhousie (perhaps with a free relocation opportunity) and stick it in there, below the building at 1 Nicholas St. That would be done on their own though since that is not on Rideau Centre/Cadillac Fairview property.

Acajack · #**195** Posted **Mar 19, 2013, 12:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

You mean "La Belle Province"?

Not quite the same thing.

kwoldtimer · #**196** Posted **Mar 19, 2013, 2:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Not quite the same thing.

Indeed not, but the reference to "steams" (sic) left me in doubt. Spa treatment or mystery meat? I suspect it must be the latter!

mac_junkie1 · #**197** Posted **Mar 19, 2013, 3:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by brentgaulois

I hope she has older photos of the building. As for asking about stories, it'll be a while before I get them. I'm currently in Montreal (for undergrad) and I won't be back in Ottawa until April/May. But I vaguely remember her saying something about how the company awarded employees stock shares, and that it wasn't a bad idea for the store?

In any case, I'll for sure find out soon. I'll also ask her about any construction projects she remembers as my grandfather worked on several buildings.

That would be pretty cool. Not many people are left who've worked there, so I'm running out of people to talk to about lost details and such. I spoke to someone yesterday who by chance had written a book about his life growing up in Ottawa. Really great book full of nice stories.

Also, it might be too early for your grandmother, but its worth a shot to see if she might know when the "ribbed bricks" were removed from the front part. It would've been mid-40s'ishhhhh. No one can seem to find a concrete year on it. As for the stock bonds, yes I read that in an article I have. Charles was also one of the first employers ever to setup a Pension Plan for his employees to assure them money in the future. Very pioneering....

Harley613 · #**198** Posted **Mar 19, 2013, 5:40 PM**

Mmmm. La Belle Province. They had better not put one in Ottawa proper. The small poutine is family sized and the fries are sooooo good. I can not resist.

JackBauer24 · #**199** Posted **Mar 19, 2013, 7:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

You mean "La Belle Province"?

Yes, that is what I meant. I guess the in "state" I typically visited these fine establishments at 2 or 3 am added a fog over the details of the name....

Thanks for clarifying

harls · #**200** Posted **Mar 20, 2013, 1:59 PM**

Empire Theatres is closing at Rideau Centre, and relocating to Lansdowne

http://www.obj.ca/Real-Estate/Non-reside...-Rideau-Centre-theatre-space%3A-broker/1