General Retail News

[MountainView]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Is Jumbo Video on Merivale still open?

So is the one at Bank and Hunt Club. I believe both are a Jumbo Video / Microplay.

[canabiz]

Herbal Magic shut its doors in Eastern Ontario

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/herbal-magic-closes-stores

[rocketphish]

City's retail market hit hard by Target, Future Shop departures: report

OBJ Staff
Published on August 07, 2015

Ottawa’s retail market has yet to recover from the departures earlier this year of Target Canada and Future Shop, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s second-quarter snapshot released Friday.

And the city likely won’t bounce back for some time, the report added.

Overall, Ottawa’s retail vacancy rate jumped to five per cent, an increase of two percentage points from the last half of 2014.

“This dramatic increase in vacancy was a result of the Target and Future Shop closures, both of which left sizable pockets of space,” the report said, adding that Jacob, Mexx and Sony Store closures did not help. Other chains also shut down some underperforming stores, it said.

Of the city’s regional malls and large power centres (those covering more than 375,000 square feet), Place d’Orleans was hardest hit, according to the report. The closure of Target and several clothing retailers left it with 139,000 square feet of empty space.

Kanata Centrum also suffered a major blow after being left with a 25,000-square-foot vacancy when Future Shop announced in March it was shutting all of its stores for good.

While the overall vacancy rate in the division remains relatively low at 3.6 per cent, that is still two full percentage points higher than the last half of 2014, the report said.

The community malls and and smaller power centres (110,000- to 375,000-square-foot) division also felt the sting of Target’s departure. While Wal-Mart will move into the empty space at Billings Bridge Plaza and Lowe’s is taking over the discount store chain’s location on St. Laurent Boulevard, there have been no takers yet for the 117,000-square-foot former Target space in Hazeldean Mall or the 124,000-square-foot vacancy at Meadowlands Mall.

The vacancy rate in this division jumped 1.7 percentage points from the end of 2014 to 6.6 per cent, the report said.

Due to their smaller size, neighbourhood malls (those in the 10,000- to 110,000-square-foot range) were relatively unscathed by the exodus, the report said, with their vacancy rate actually dropping half a percentage point to 4.6 per cent. It’s expected this segment will see further construction to continue servicing the outlying areas, Cushman & Wakefield said.

The vacancy rate in the core office tower segment jumped to 9.9 per cent, largely because high-end retailer Holt Renfrew closed its only Ottawa store at 240 Sparks at the beginning of the year.

http://www.obj.ca/Real-Estate/Non-reside...et%2C-Future-Shop-departures%3A-report/1

[rocketphish]

Gladstone Theatre sold to unidentified buyer

Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: August 11, 2015 | Last Updated: August 11, 2015 7:57 PM EDT



The long-term future of the Gladstone Theatre as an arts venue is uncertain after an offer to buy the building was reportedly accepted this week.

When the deal is finalized, the unidentified buyer will take over ownership of the Gladstone Avenue landmark from Ottawa’s Steve Martin. He bought it for about $500,000 in 2007 and undertook an extensive renovation, pouring $1 million into upgrading the facility.

However, returns were lower than expected and Martin struggled with the debt. He put the building up for sale in 2010 with an asking price of $1.5 million. It failed to sell and was taken off the market until this summer, when it was re-listed for $995,000. The centrally located property is a stone’s throw from Preston Street’s Little Italy neighbourhood.

Martin, who did not respond to requests for comment on the sale, told the Citizen last month that any new buyer would be required to honour the 2015-16 theatre season, which is already booked.

Originally a truck-repair garage, the building has a long history as a performing-arts space. In 1982, it was purchased by a group of theatre aficionados and converted into a 236-seat home for the Great Canadian Theatre Company. The Acoustic Waves folk-music concert series was also presented on its stage. The GCTC moved to the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre on Wellington Street in 2008.

It is believed there were multiple offers on the property, including one from a consortium of arts enthusiasts led by CKCU host and former Ottawa Folk Festival artistic director Chris White. Their vision for the theatre involved delivering a range of arts-related services to the community, including theatre, music, storytelling and audio and video production. A music school, instrument repair depot and a Canadian Folk Music Museum were also part of the consortium’s proposal, which was not accepted.

http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/gladstone-theatre-sold-to-unidentified-buyer

[TheGoods]

Originally Posted by MountainView

So is the one at Bank and Hunt Club. I believe both are a Jumbo Video / Microplay.

The one on Bank St. is a Microplay only, fairly small and does not rent videos.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Gladstone Theatre sold to unidentified buyer

Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: August 11, 2015 | Last Updated: August 11, 2015 7:57 PM EDT



The long-term future of the Gladstone Theatre as an arts venue is uncertain after an offer to buy the building was reportedly accepted this week.

When the deal is finalized, the unidentified buyer will take over ownership of the Gladstone Avenue landmark from Ottawa’s Steve Martin. He bought it for about $500,000 in 2007 and undertook an extensive renovation, pouring $1 million into upgrading the facility.

However, returns were lower than expected and Martin struggled with the debt. He put the building up for sale in 2010 with an asking price of $1.5 million. It failed to sell and was taken off the market until this summer, when it was re-listed for $995,000. The centrally located property is a stone’s throw from Preston Street’s Little Italy neighbourhood.

Martin, who did not respond to requests for comment on the sale, told the Citizen last month that any new buyer would be required to honour the 2015-16 theatre season, which is already booked.

Originally a truck-repair garage, the building has a long history as a performing-arts space. In 1982, it was purchased by a group of theatre aficionados and converted into a 236-seat home for the Great Canadian Theatre Company. The Acoustic Waves folk-music concert series was also presented on its stage. The GCTC moved to the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre on Wellington Street in 2008.

It is believed there were multiple offers on the property, including one from a consortium of arts enthusiasts led by CKCU host and former Ottawa Folk Festival artistic director Chris White. Their vision for the theatre involved delivering a range of arts-related services to the community, including theatre, music, storytelling and audio and video production. A music school, instrument repair depot and a Canadian Folk Music Museum were also part of the consortium’s proposal, which was not accepted.

http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/gladstone-theatre-sold-to-unidentified-buyer

It will be kind of sad if this doesn't stay a theatre. It's one of the unique features of Little Italy. Doesn't sound likely though.

[eternallyme]

Glebe BIA will seek to open stores on holidays

TOM SPEARS, OTTAWA CITIZEN
Published on: August 12, 2015 | Last Updated: August 12, 2015 5:26 PM EDT


Q: What does the Glebe Business Improvement Area want?

A: Next week it will ask the city to allow its retail businesses to stay open on statutory holidays. The law allows a city to permit this if the retail area is within two kilometres of a tourist attraction — in this case including the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO heritage site, and the Canadian Museum of Nature.

Q: What’s the reason?

A: “The businesses that are struggling the most are the ones that are currently not allowed to remain open” on holidays, says Andrew Peck, executive director of the Glebe BIA. He notes that online shopping continues on holidays while Glebe retailers must shut down. The 1991 law predates the Internet.

“I feel there’s no harm in putting forth and application and creating a discussion and debate around the issue,” he said.

“A lot of ‘common pause’ days (holidays) are on long weekends.” He says people already come to the Glebe area on holidays for sports and skating and movies, “and a lot of our members said it’s hard: There’s traffic and we can’t access that traffic. And it’s hard to watch your best customers go someplace else.

“Winterlude’s last day was on Family Day, for example.” Stores were closed despite having crowds all around.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news...tPostID=d8ee66da42076a6cc097436ec0c31a15

[Capital Shaun]

With the exodus of retail from Silvercity and Shoppers City East it's nice to see a store actually move into my neighbourhood. A new Home Hardware will be opening in October next to the Metro at the corner of Ogilvie & Montreal roads.

[canabiz]

Originally Posted by phil235

It will be kind of sad if this doesn't stay a theatre. It's one of the unique features of Little Italy. Doesn't sound likely though.

Here's hoping this space won't turn into another condo. I frequent this area often because my mechanic's garage is right besides (Dragon Auto Services) and my friend owns the Korean sushi restaurant around the corner (Kochu on Preston).

I always wonder how this theatre has managed to survive so far, it is not in an exactly ideal location (sandwiched between a Thai restaurant and the aforementioned garage) and there is a serious lack of parking spaces in the immediate vicinity.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by canabiz

I always wonder how this theatre has managed to survive so far, it is not in an exactly ideal location (sandwiched between a Thai restaurant and the aforementioned garage) and there is a serious lack of parking spaces in the immediate vicinity.

It's actually a pretty ideal location for a theatre, surrounded by tonnes of restaurants.

I think you mean a lack of free parking. There's a big city lot on the east side of Preston, maybe 250 metres from the theatre. I also expect that lots of patrons walk, as it's a pretty easy walk from Hintonburg, Centretown and the Glebe.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by Capital Shaun

With the exodus of retail from Silvercity and Shoppers City East it's nice to see a store actually move into my neighbourhood. A new Home Hardware will be opening in October next to the Metro at the corner of Ogilvie & Montreal roads.

Shopper's city East will be one of the hottest spots for retail in the city in a couple years with the Mega Costco moving in.

[Capital Shaun]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Shopper's city East will be one of the hottest spots for retail in the city in a couple years with the Mega Costco moving in.

Couple days ago they had started tearing up the parking lot closest to Ogilvie rd. Maybe construction will start soon on one of the new buildings.

[mykl]

The worst part about losing The Gladstone would be the loss of that sign. I think it would have done better located somewhere right downtown and highly visible. I don't really think about The Gladstone unless there's a reason to or I'm looking at it.

[canabiz]

Originally Posted by mykl

The worst part about losing The Gladstone would be the loss of that sign. I think it would have done better located somewhere right downtown and highly visible. I don't really think about The Gladstone unless there's a reason to or I'm looking at it.

I share the same sentiment. I only know about this theatre as somebody living in Barrhaven because i go to the garage right besides to get my car serviced

Contrast this to let's say the Great Canadian Theatre on Wellington in Westboro, right at the corner of Holland, highly visible location with a lot of condo owners/restaurant patrons/government workers for exposure.

On another note, Simons opens in Gatineau today.

[rocketphish]

Simons hits capital region with Gatineau store opening today
Simons, launched in 1840, only expanded outside of Quebec in 2012

By Kate Porter, CBC News Posted: Aug 13, 2015 5:22 AM ET Last Updated: Aug 13, 2015 5:22 AM ET



Simons, a fashion and home decor retailer based in Quebec City, opens its first store in the national capital region on Thursday.

The 80,000 square foot space will be an anchor in the newly renovated Les Promenades Gatineau shopping mall on Maloney Boulevard, employing about 175 people.

A fixture on the Quebec retail scene, Simons is known for carrying labels by a range of designers, including a number of in-house brands such as Twik and Le31.

The family-owned company is in the midst of a major expansion.

Simons opened its first store outside the province of Quebec in 2012, in the West Edmonton Mall.

The store in Gatineau, Que., is the retailer's tenth, to be followed by stores in Vancouver, Mississauga, Calgary, and other Canadian cities in the coming years.

Simons is scheduled to open an Ottawa location on Aug. 11, 2016 at the Rideau Centre mall, as part of the shopping centre's $360 million redevelopment.

The new Simons location in Gatineau opens to the public at 11 a.m. on Thursday.



http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/sim...h-gatineau-store-opening-today-1.3189010

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Simons hits capital region with Gatineau store opening today
Simons, launched in 1840, only expanded outside of Quebec in 2012

By Kate Porter, CBC News Posted: Aug 13, 2015 5:22 AM ET Last Updated: Aug 13, 2015 5:22 AM ET



Simons, a fashion and home decor retailer based in Quebec City, opens its first store in the national capital region on Thursday.

The 80,000 square foot space will be an anchor in the newly renovated Les Promenades Gatineau shopping mall on Maloney Boulevard, employing about 175 people.

A fixture on the Quebec retail scene, Simons is known for carrying labels by a range of designers, including a number of in-house brands such as Twik and Le31.

The family-owned company is in the midst of a major expansion.

Simons opened its first store outside the province of Quebec in 2012, in the West Edmonton Mall.

The store in Gatineau, Que., is the retailer's tenth, to be followed by stores in Vancouver, Mississauga, Calgary, and other Canadian cities in the coming years.

Simons is scheduled to open an Ottawa location on Aug. 11, 2016 at the Rideau Centre mall, as part of the shopping centre's $360 million redevelopment.

The new Simons location in Gatineau opens to the public at 11 a.m. on Thursday.



http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/sim...h-gatineau-store-opening-today-1.3189010

I was just going to post about this.

Also, the façade of the central section of the mall along Maloney was all redone and looks much nicer. Unfortunately they did not extend the redo to the sections to the east (The Bay) and the west (Costco) so these still have the old look.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by canabiz

I share the same sentiment. I only know about this theatre as somebody living in Barrhaven because i go to the garage right besides to get my car serviced

Contrast this to let's say the Great Canadian Theatre on Wellington in Westboro, right at the corner of Holland, highly visible location with a lot of condo owners/restaurant patrons/government workers for exposure.

No question the location could be better. It will be excellent in 47 years when they finally open a Gladstone station on the O-Train, but ironically I am guessing that is what made it an attractive buy for an investor with deep pockets and a lot of patience.

Their marketing was also pretty questionable for the first few years. They've stepped it up in the last couple, with very good results, but sadly it looks like it is too little, too late. Hopefully they can eek out at least a few more years there before anything happens.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by phil235

No question the location could be better. It will be excellent in 47 years when they finally open a Gladstone station on the O-Train, but ironically I am guessing that is what made it an attractive buy for an investor with deep pockets and a lot of patience.

Their marketing was also pretty questionable for the first few years. They've stepped it up in the last couple, with very good results, but sadly it looks like it is too little, too late. Hopefully they can eek out at least a few more years there before anything happens.

This thread is the first time I've ever heard of this theatre. Am I aware of a bunch of old theatres in Ottawa, including the GCTC, the OLT, the Bytowne, the old Towne and Phoenix, the Mayfair, the Elmdale, etc.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Acajack

This thread is the first time I've ever heard of this theatre. Am I aware of a bunch of old theatres in Ottawa, including the GCTC, the OLT, the Bytowne, the old Towne and Phoenix, the Mayfair, the Elmdale, etc.

It got quite a bit of press when it opened, because of the big renovations that the owner did (the renovations that put him in the debt that is forcing him to sell). After that, it didn't get much publicity. Then again, outside of the NAC, there isn't much publicity for live theatre in Ottawa generally, even though there is quite a vibrant scene.

[Radster]

I live a few blocks away, and have made it a point to go support this local theater by going to a couple plays over the past few years, and it always resulted in a good experience/date night. I will be sad to see it close. I love the art-deco sign too, its a rare sight in Ottawa.