The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread - Page 481

connect2source · #**9601** Posted **Dec 22, 2015, 2:02 PM**

T&T has opened in Marine Gateway.

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/12/tt-supermarket-opens-at-marine-gateway-in-south-vancouver/

Vin · #**9602** Posted **Dec 22, 2015, 6:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theKB

I have read it will be three stories.

Wow....

Quote:

Originally Posted by connect2source

T&T has opened in Marine Gateway.

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/12/tt-supermarket-opens-at-marine-gateway-in-south-vancouver/

And who said malls are not cool....

Prometheus · #**9603** Posted **Dec 22, 2015, 8:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

BIV article on the Edward Chapmans stores.

Edward Chapman Ltd. (the menswear company) owns the building next to The Exchange (on Pender) and won't be moving any time soon.

https://www.biv.com/article/2015/12/owners-bifurcated-edward-chapman-share-longevity-l/

That's not really what the article says at all. It reveals that Chapman (on Pender) is not doing well in its current form; that the owner needs less than 1/4 of the space he has right now and that his main focus is on real estate, not retail. All the evidence in the article seems to suggest that he would likely be willing to sell the building when the right offer comes along.

Which is good, because I have always maintained that consolidation of his property with the adjacent short brick office building would yeild just enough space to support a MNP-type office tower that (due to a viewcone shadow) could be taller and more interesting than The Exchange next door.

daverraver · #**9604** Posted **Dec 22, 2015, 9:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theKB

I have read it will be three stories.

That is what I have heard as well. I believe the time frame for the opening is spring 2016. The total square footage of the store is going to be close to 13,000 square feet so definitely a sizeable store!

officedweller · #**9605** Posted **Dec 22, 2015, 10:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prometheus

That's not really what the article says at all. It reveals that Chapman (on Pender) is not doing well in its current form; that the owner needs less than 1/4 of the space he has right now and that his main focus is on real estate, not retail. All the evidence in the article seems to suggest that he would likely be willing to sell the building when the right offer comes along.

Which is good, because I have always maintained that consolidation of his property with the adjacent short brick office building would yeild just enough space to support a MNP-type office tower that (due to a viewcone shadow) could be taller and more interesting than The Exchange next door.

Consolidation with the brick building would be good, but this is at the end of the article:

Quote:

Chapman, meanwhile, is staying the course and admits that his real estate businesses are far more profitable than his retail venture.

A rent hike prompted him to close the Edward Chapman store in Kerrisdale in 2012. He has no plans to change operations at his West Pender Street store.

“I wouldn’t call the store a side venture,” he said. “It’s a big part of my family heritage and history. It’s important, but in this day and age, making money as an independent clothing retailer, it’s tough.”

Prometheus · #**9606** Posted **Dec 22, 2015, 11:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Consolidation with the brick building would be good, but this is at the end of the article:

I don't think anything in that quote suggests an insurmountable barrier to his selling the Pender property. On the contrary. As the article reveals, the store is not doing well and he needs only a fraction of his current space. Notwithstanding the value he may place on family heritage, the writing is on the wall. He may claim to have no plans to change operations at his Pender store currently, but that doesn't mean economic realities won't force his hand in the future. As he said:

Quote:

[Family heritage] is important, but in this day and age, making money as an independent clothing retailer, it’s tough.

officedweller · #**9607** Posted **Dec 22, 2015, 11:18 PM**

Maybe not "insurmountable", but it sounds like he's making money on his other real estate ventures.
I would also expect he would have received offers from Credit Suisse back when it bought the adjacent properties.

Prometheus · #**9608** Posted **Dec 22, 2015, 11:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

I would also expect he would have received offers from Credit Suisse back when it bought the adjacent properties.

Maybe. But it's likely that such offers were low, since his property was at best a nice but clearly non-essential part of Credit Suisse's plans. By contrast, his property is now a sine qua non of any future tower project and thus substantially more valuable than it once was, making any future offers likely too tempting to resist next time around.

officedweller · #**9609** Posted **Dec 22, 2015, 11:40 PM**

That makes sense - the redevelopment of the brick building pretty much needs the Chapman building to get to any decent density/height.

connect2source · #**9610** Posted **Dec 23, 2015, 2:44 PM**

FCUK - French Connection, closing the Robson location mid-January. I guessed this would happen as the store bore little resemblance to the European outlets and seemed to be teetering on the brink. Looks like the company is slowing pulling out of Canada. Unfortunately this isn't good news for the beleaguered 1100 block of Robson.

http://www.stylebyfire.ca/2015/12/22/french-connection-closing/

osirisboy · #**9611** Posted **Dec 23, 2015, 3:27 PM**

Is that block really "beleaguered"?

DesignerBunny · #**9612** Posted **Dec 23, 2015, 4:48 PM**

Well I'm not really surprised. Their sizing and fitting was always very inconsistent. Sometimes I'd fit into a Large, other times 2XL was too small. I only wear my FCUK t-shirts to bed because I'm too embarrased to wear them in public anymore. Hopefully something will replace that spot, because yes, that 1100 block needs some help. Bye FCUCK!

Quote:

Originally Posted by connect2source

FCUK - French Connection, closing the Robson location mid-January. I guessed this would happen as the store bore little resemblance to the European outlets and seemed to be teetering on the brink. Looks like the company is slowing pulling out of Canada. Unfortunately this isn't good news for the beleaguered 1100 block of Robson.

http://www.stylebyfire.ca/2015/12/22/french-connection-closing/

SpongeG · #**9613** Posted **Dec 23, 2015, 5:37 PM**

do they still carry fcuk at holt renfrew? they used to csarry the clothes

connect2source · #**9614** Posted **Dec 23, 2015, 6:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Is that block really "beleaguered"?

I'd very much say so.

Most of the buildings are in need of redevelopment and the block has been losing chain stores for years now. American Eagle Outfitters, Body Shop, Below the Belt, RW & Co., Joe Fresh, Marciano ( currently for lease ), Mexx ( although the company went under ), B2 and now FCUK. Some have relocated closer to the action but I blame much of it on greedy landlords not wishing to invest anything and charging top dollar. Glad to see there's a slight reversal on the block with the Artizia flagship and Nike taking the old Mexx space.

I'd like to see the London Drugs complex, which now contains mostly temporary or second-tier stores, and the Robson Fashion Park ( The Gap building ) totally redeveloped for larger flagships.

theKB · #**9615** Posted **Dec 23, 2015, 7:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

do they still carry fcuk at holt renfrew? they used to csarry the clothes

no. I sense that FCUK is potentially at the end of it's run. They gained traction because of the shock factor but frankly I hardly see anyone wearing their stuff. Maybe it's bigger overseas?

connect2source · #**9616** Posted **Dec 23, 2015, 8:44 PM**

Been years since they've carried FCUK at Holts having been to Europe quite a lot in the last few years, French Connection doesn't seem to be the force it was in the late 90's early 2000's.

SpongeG · #**9617** Posted **Dec 23, 2015, 8:54 PM**

yeah i think its a dying brand, it was nothing that exciting.

cairnstone · #**9618** Posted **Dec 24, 2015, 1:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by connect2source

FCUK - French Connection, closing the Robson location mid-January. I guessed this would happen as the store bore little resemblance to the European outlets and seemed to be teetering on the brink. Looks like the company is slowing pulling out of Canada. Unfortunately this isn't good news for the beleaguered 1100 block of Robson.

http://www.stylebyfire.ca/2015/12/22/french-connection-closing/

wow i thought it closed last year

connect2source · #**9619** Posted **Dec 24, 2015, 2:12 PM**

I'd say Marciano by Guess is on deathwatch too ( 1100 block Robson location ). Much like the FCUK location, it has the old logo and the facade not being maintained.

officedweller · #**9620** Posted **Dec 25, 2015, 12:47 AM**

Nordstrom had its Boxing Day clearance on already today.
Crazy busy in there. You can tell they bring in special racks for all the clearance items.
The clearance racks are like a Winners - all the sale stuff in one place.
Weird thing is - their clearance prices are all handwritten on the price tags!

Hudson's Bay (menswear) was also busy, but not as busy as Nordstrom.