[Moncton] Retail Thread

[josh_cat_eyes]

So some bad news for those of you hoping for VS in Champlain. The CF leasing plan now shows that Home Essence is replacing Hallmark. Yet another twist.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

So some bad news for those of you hoping for VS in Champlain. The CF leasing plan now shows that Home Essence is replacing Hallmark. Yet another twist.

Home Essence is just a placeholder. It sells nick-nacks and shows up in various locations in the mall whenever there is a vacancy. CF is probably offering them the space at a discount to avoid an empty storefront.

The presence of Home Essence is irrelevant as to the future of this retail space......

[cbujold]

I imagine we will see another big shuffle again after the xmas season and as every year, I suppose other retailers will close up shop and new ones will come in. Can't see such stores as MEXX holding on forever as you never see anybody in that big store.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Home Essence is just a placeholder. It sells nick-nacks and shows up in various locations in the mall whenever there is a vacancy. CF is probably offering them the space at a discount to avoid an empty storefront.

The presence of Home Essence is irrelevant as to the future of this retail space......

Ok this makes sense. They are probably waiting for some of the other leases to end. I don't know why Bluenotes would move those, it's only 178 sq/ft bigger. It's weird tho, the store in Summerside is 4450 sq/ft. And the Champlain one is 2800 sq/ft.

[OUIR@random]

Bluenotes moving in next to Boathouse is a great move, it will fit well in that area of the mall (teen oriented stores).

Bluenotes in Champlain is smaller than Summerside, that's no surprise; there is no need for a larger store here, there's not much competition in Summerside and rent per ft2 is alot cheaper, those are all reasons for a smaller store over here at Champlain.

[micks5477]

I for one avoid Champlain Mall at all costs. The place is a miserable shopping experience, stores constantly changing locations and easily get lost in there. I think I have been in there twice in the last 2-3 years. I do all my Christmas shopping in Bangor, another mall or online.

[BlackYear]

I avoid Champlain Place for other reasons. There is simply nothing in there that I need. Clothing for men? Unless you're a 160lbs man with a 28" waist who hasn't developed muscles in your arms, chest & shoulders yet, then don't bother looking for anything that will fit.

[MonctonRad]

As Champlain Place continues on in it's transformation into a regional fashion mall, I suspect that we will see an increasing disconnect between the mall and typical male shoppers. But, since about 80% of retail spending is controlled by female shoppers, the mall no doubt knows what it is doing. High end clothing and accessories will boost sales per square foot and the mall will increasingly develop a reputation that will draw in even more high end retailers and out of town shoppers.

For the male demographic, there will always be Walmart, Canadian Tire and maybe someday Cabela's.

[cbujold]

All kinds of sports stores, Jack and whatever, Tip Top, Sears, many shoe stores and casual clothes such as Eddy Bower, jean shops, etc. You guys have your fair share of places to shop.

[bigrivernb]

Originally Posted by OUIR@random

Bluenotes moving in next to Boathouse is a great move, it will fit well in that area of the mall (teen oriented stores).

Bluenotes in Champlain is smaller than Summerside, that's no surprise; there is no need for a larger store here, there's not much competition in Summerside and rent per ft2 is alot cheaper, those are all reasons for a smaller store over here at Champlain.

I have notice that Justice is opening in Fredericton. Its the same size location as the existing blue notes...perhaps that may be a possibility for that space in Champlain?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by cbujold

All kinds of sports stores, Jack and whatever, Tip Top, Sears, many shoe stores and casual clothes such as Eddy Bower, jean shops, etc. You guys have your fair share of places to shop.

You're missing the point cbujold, we're guys - we want electronics and toys!!

[stephan.richard]

But still wish that Hollister would take over where the Old Bluenotes location is and IF not it will be another perfume/cosmetics place... And I wish Crombie Reit would just buy mapleton venter and develop it to its fullest potential I hate to see that spot dormant.

[icetea93]

Originally Posted by stephan.richard

But still wish that Hollister would take over where the Old Bluenotes location is and IF not it will be another perfume/cosmetics place... And I wish Crombie Reit would just buy mapleton venter and develop it to its fullest potential I hate to see that spot dormant.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is having financial troubles and is closing stores in the US. They haven't opened any Hollister or Abercrombie stores in Canada in a few years (the last one was a Hollister in Hamilton). I don't think we will see them opening more stores for awhile. However, I know their Halifax Hollister store does very well relative to other Hollister stores in the country so who knows.

[OUIR@random]

Originally Posted by icetea93

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is having financial troubles and is closing stores in the US. They haven't opened any Hollister or Abercrombie stores in Canada in a few years (the last one was a Hollister in Hamilton). I don't think we will see them opening more stores for awhile. However, I know their Halifax Hollister store does very well relative to other Hollister stores in the country so who knows.

I said this numerous times in the past on this board; A&F and or Hollister is not coming here. They're a ''has-been'' brand at this point, in the North American market anyway.

In any event, I believe a Forever21 is in the works at Champlain, where and when that will be, I'm not sure. Los Angeles based Forever 21 is in growth mode worldwide and there's alot of hype about their new store coming to Mic Mac Mall.

Zara could also be a contender at Champlain in the future.

Regarding Mapleton Center, if I was a chain or investor I would look elsewhere, that place is dead. I would not open a store there at this time. I wish JYSK would open though, it would certainly help that fiasco of a project. I went to check out the Banana Republic and the prices were high and the place was empty, I just left after a few minutes. Outlet prices my @ss.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by OUIR@random

I said this numerous times in the past on this board; A&F and or Hollister is not coming here. They're a ''has-been'' brand at this point, in the North American market anyway.

In any event, I believe a Forever21 is in the works at Champlain, where and when that will be, I'm not sure. Los Angeles based Forever 21 is in growth mode worldwide and there's alot of hype about their new store coming to Mic Mac Mall.

Zara could also be a contender at Champlain in the future.

Regarding Mapleton Center, if I was a chain or investor I would look elsewhere, that place is dead. I would not open a store there at this time. I wish JYSK would open though, it would certainly help that fiasco of a project. I went to check out the Banana Republic and the prices were high and the place was empty, I just left after a few minutes. Outlet prices my @ss.

Forever 21 would be a hit at Champlain but I'm not so sure about Zara. They're a bit higher end and there seems to be a very limited market for this around here. I think something like J. Crew might be more successful in Champlain, but I know that they have only a few stores in Canada and probably wont be coming anytime soon.

[OUIR@random]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

Forever 21 would be a hit at Champlain but I'm not so sure about Zara. They're a bit higher end and there seems to be a very limited market for this around here. I think something like J. Crew might be more successful in Champlain, but I know that they have only a few stores in Canada and probably wont be coming anytime soon.

As I said, Zara could be a contender, not will. Forever 21 would indeed be a hit, I don't think that H&M would like their arrival...
They would fit very well at Champlain, they are trendy, but affordable and a sought-after well-known international retailer. Several CF malls across Canada are adding them, so that might be another indication.

Regarding J. Crew, I like them, but they are quite pricey, I'm not sure if they would be a runaway hit at Champlain, the brand also had quite the backlash when they entered the Canadian market a couple of years ago with their inflated C$ prices in Toronto...

That's another topic, but we are still paying too TOO much for footwear and clothing in Canada, I had another confirmation of this fact during my summer vacation. Flabbergasted or Ridiculous! Pick one...

[icetea93]

I don't think we will see a flagship Forever 21 (XXI Forever) in Chmaplain as the Mic Mac store is too close (and it would require up to 30K sq.ft.). However, a "Forever 21" (women's clothing/accessories only) format is much smaller and may work. I think it will be a year at least before they sign any lease at CP.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Maybe they can add a piece on and start to gravitate towards Crystal Palace, in doing so adding those stores mentioned above.

[gehrhardt]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

Forever 21 would be a hit at Champlain but I'm not so sure about Zara. They're a bit higher end and there seems to be a very limited market for this around here. I think something like J. Crew might be more successful in Champlain, but I know that they have only a few stores in Canada and probably wont be coming anytime soon.

I think the fact that I have never heard of any of these stores proves that I have no reason to go to Champlain...

[josh_cat_eyes]

I wish we could get some more recognizable names in Champlain so that the average shopper would go there. Stuff like Apple, Old Navy, Hot Topic or an American chain.