Winnipeg Retail

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Having heard the Elephant and Castle location is closing and the same group busy opening Original Joe's and State & Main locations it seems to be a matter of time to they secure a prime SHED location. .

Based on this article stating the parent company of Original Joe's bought Elephant and Castle Group out of Bankruptcy in early 2012, I would expect this location will reopen ASAP as a State and Main (they're avoiding Original Joe's branding in Winnipeg because of too many 'Joe' named restaurants, no?)

http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/ne...s-sold-to.html

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by cllew

Hull's is a faith based book store chain. With the decline in mainstream church goers I can see them reducing their physical stores. They may be able to stay afloat by going to an online sales format out of their store in Steinbach.

I would say the decline comes more due to online shopping that church attendance.

Amazon and Chapters carry everything these days and often at a considerably cheaper price that bricks and mortar stores.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by h0twired

I would say the decline comes more due to online shopping that church attendance.

Amazon and Chapters carry everything these days and often at a considerably cheaper price that bricks and mortar stores.

Bricks and mortar bookstores are getting clobbered everywhere. There's a reason that every time you go to Chapters or Indigo, more and more floorspace is devoted to high margin tchotchkes and knick-knacks instead of books.

By my count, this will make Coles Cityplace the last remaining new bookstore downtown, other than the UW/RRC bookstores which, unlike the UM bookstore, are 95% textbooks. There are still a couple of used bookstores hanging on like Red River Books, although you have to wonder how much longer they can hang on in their current location given that the space they occupy could undoubtedly command far higher rents than it could have 15 years ago when having stacks and stacks of dusty, unsorted books wasn't that bad of a business plan. I guess there's also the used bookstore where Music City used to be.

Compare this barely over a decade ago when in addition to the Cityplace Coles and Hull's, there was a Coles in Winnipeg Square, a big McNally's and a small Smithbooks in Portage Place, and numerous used bookstores throughout downtown. It didn't take long for that business to get decimated by online retail... only music retailers have been hit harder during that timeframe. Remember 15 years ago when there were a dozen music retailers downtown?

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Based on this article stating the parent company of Original Joe's bought Elephant and Castle Group out of Bankruptcy in early 2012, I would expect this location will reopen ASAP as a State and Main (they're avoiding Original Joe's branding in Winnipeg because of too many 'Joe' named restaurants, no?)

It is possible the Elephant and Castle will close to remodel/rebrand however as the Delta itself is doing a significant remodel/rebrand they are perhaps looking for operate their own restaurant out of that space instead of leasing it out.

Regarding the naming the group is using, they did announce in advance of opening their second Winnipeg location at Kildonan Place, they would be moving away from the Original Joe's name in favour of State & Main. The third (St Vital) and fourth (Unicity) locations both then opened under the Original Joe's name.

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by esquire

Bricks and mortar bookstores are getting clobbered everywhere. There's a reason that every time you go to Chapters or Indigo, more and more floorspace is devoted to high margin tchotchkes and knick-knacks instead of books.

By my count, this will make Coles Cityplace the last remaining new bookstore downtown, other than the UW/RRC bookstores which, unlike the UM bookstore, are 95% textbooks. There are still a couple of used bookstores hanging on like Red River Books, although you have to wonder how much longer they can hang on in their current location given that the space they occupy could undoubtedly command far higher rents than it could have 15 years ago when having stacks and stacks of dusty, unsorted books wasn't that bad of a business plan. I guess there's also the used bookstore where Music City used to be.

Compare this barely over a decade ago when in addition to the Cityplace Coles and Hull's, there was a Coles in Winnipeg Square, a big McNally's and a small Smithbooks in Portage Place, and numerous used bookstores throughout downtown. It didn't take long for that business to get decimated by online retail... only music retailers have been hit harder during that timeframe. Remember 15 years ago when there were a dozen music retailers downtown?

Very true. I remember going to the HMV in cityplace ten or so years ago wiating for my bus transfer downtown. There will always be that niche that wants a physcal copy of something but really its just far more convenient (and cheap) to download an album or a book. You can carry around hundrededs of e-books with the space it takes to hold one traditional one.

[Komatiite]

I love browsing book and music stores - I was very disappointed to see both McNally and The Cellar leave - but when you consider the Long Tail and how online retailers thrive as a result, what can you do?

[Cyro]

^ You and me both, times have changed. Mc Nally at Grant Park is still doing well from the last I've heard and is still drawing customers well.

[SpongeG]

they were talking about "mom and pop" bookstores on the radio the other night, us radio show, as doing great business and clobbering the big box chains - at least in the states and they are the future of bookstores - apparently actual physical books are making a comeback

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

they were talking about "mom and pop" bookstores on the radio the other night, us radio show, as doing great business and clobbering the big box chains - at least in the states and they are the future of bookstores - apparently actual physical books are making a comeback

Interesting, I still think, imo, Canadian stores anyway, are on the decline. But I do hope the old "Mom and Pop", stores as you mention do survive in Canada, maybe even provide some competition for the Big Box boys. Although the way things are going, taking Winnipeg for example, it seems like a difficult obstacle to over come.

Here's hoping the small independent can survive in todays market.

Are your finding any difference on the Canadian West Coast with what you've heard happening in the US?

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by Cyro

Interesting, I still think, imo, Canadian stores anyway, are on the decline. But I do hope the old "Mom and Pop", stores as you mention do survive in Canada, maybe even provide some competition for the Big Box boys. Although the way things are going, taking Winnipeg for example, it seems like a difficult obstacle to over come.

Here's hoping the small independent can survive in todays market.

Are your finding any difference on the Canadian West Coast with what you've heard happening in the US?

Well, I can report from Victoria / Saanich Peninsula that the Ma n Pa local bookstores are still doing VERY well, some of which are tourist attactions even. Of course, there is a very strong 'buy local' mentality here too, and there is only one Chapters in town, along with big box retail construction restrictions in many of the municipalities that make up the Victoria Capital Region.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Well, I can report from Victoria / Saanich Peninsula that the Ma n Pa local bookstores are still doing VERY well, some of which are tourist attactions even. Of course, there is a very strong 'buy local' mentality here too, and there is only one Chapters in town, along with big box retail construction restrictions in many of the municipalities that make up the Victoria Capital Region.

That's good to hear their is still a large interest in the smaller stores in your area.

But again, some excellent reason for their success in your market.

Buy local mentality, tourist destination, 1 Big Box and restrictions on further construction.

Hope their are more success stories out their, bucking the internet based trend.

[esquire]

Virtually every city has their (depending on size) one, two or five McNally's-type local landmark bookstores. That still doesn't change the fact that most people are buying their books through faceless entities like Amazon, iTunes or big-box stores.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by esquire

Virtually every city has their (depending on size) one, two or five McNally's-type local landmark bookstores. That still doesn't change the fact that most people are buying their books through faceless entities like Amazon, iTunes or big-box stores.

I don't think many posters, myself included as I have alluded to in earlier posts would disagree with your assessment of how the small independent bookstore/music store?, can compete with online e-publications, music downloads etc.

I just found it interesting that a previous poster was alluding to the fact that their seems to be a resurgence in smaller niche stores in the US and was wondering why it is the case. Be it small locals, tourist locations, etc.

Even Big Box Stores are suffering from the impact of the internet at his time, I personally have changed my reading/music habits with the use of the web and still have quite the collection of Hard Copies in both music/books and would still support the independent, although I know I'll be paying more to do so. Others will go for the "Best Buy".

[trebor204]

Polo Park announced on their Facebook page that H&M will be located on the Main level just off central court.


On the lower level they relocated and boarded up 4 stores. They kept the stairs going down to Lenscrafter. Polo Park Dental (next to Pearle Vision, Customer Service) also moved. It looks like H&M will take over these 4 stores, Polo Park Dental and a room located to the North of the dental office.


On the upper level Polo Park is still working on the former Zellers store, and has boarded up about 4 stores as well.

There also working on the roof, it looks like their adding a couple of skylights.


http://www.cfretail.com/FloorPlans/P..._floorplan.pdf

[CoryB]

Before Zeller's expanded to take over the Bretton's space there was a second mall entrance near what is listed as Eddie Baurer on the floor plan. I had heard the Zeller's space reno will basically turn the space into a U space that connects back to the Bay-Sears run around where the original access point was.

The other interesting observation is that Polo Park Dental is clearly shown as being relocated to the old CTV building complex just north of the Bay but outside the mall proper.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Before Zeller's expanded to take over the Bretton's space there was a second mall entrance near what is listed as Eddie Baurer on the floor plan. I had heard the Zeller's space reno will basically turn the space into a U space that connects back to the Bay-Sears run around where the original access point was.

The other interesting observation is that Polo Park Dental is clearly shown as being relocated to the old CTV building complex just north of the Bay but outside the mall proper.

Dental has moved and is up and running across street in CTV building

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Cyro

Interesting, I still think, imo, Canadian stores anyway, are on the decline. But I do hope the old "Mom and Pop", stores as you mention do survive in Canada, maybe even provide some competition for the Big Box boys. Although the way things are going, taking Winnipeg for example, it seems like a difficult obstacle to over come.

Here's hoping the small independent can survive in todays market.

Are your finding any difference on the Canadian West Coast with what you've heard happening in the US?

not really, a lot of local book chains have closed down in the last few years, there are a number of smaller ones that seem to do wel, most of them are very specialized like a sci-fi store or a mystery store etc.

the chapters in vancouver downtown is getting more and more floor space to things other than books, like the tech section and home decor, food etc.

i guess if a bookstore can find a good niche they can still do pretty well

[Cyro]

Adapting to the current retail climate seems to be a prudent move. Niche stores catering to a particular demographic or personal interest/topic/theme, seem to have a higher survival rate than going after the masses, which clearly are not working in today's internet based market. Adaptation to the current business climate is a chance to succeed. I do it monthly with the web related en-devours I pursue. If I didn't change my marketing strategies I'd be in some serious financial difficulties at this point.

Thx for the insight.

[h0twired]

Red River Co-op Buys 4 Safeway Locations

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bus...245469731.html

Will be nice to see dividends on groceries as well as gas soon.

[Jack1983]

Originally Posted by h0twired

Red River Co-op Buys 4 Safeway Locations

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bus...245469731.html

Will be nice to see dividends on groceries as well as gas soon.

If the prices are anything similar to the Beausejour Co-op Grocery, The dividend would have to be very significant to entice me to shop there.