[Moncton] Retail Thread

[micks5477]

Originally Posted by micks5477

This just in from another Moncton site. "We were just informed this morning by head office that pjs pets, pets unlimited & pet culture is closing their doors in 7 weeks. Across Canada." This would explain why the Pet Culture in Dieppe was half empty when I visited last week.

There are now "Going out of business" signs up in the windows at Pet Culture.

[emad]

Originally Posted by Budyser

As I was waiting in the grid lock of traffic at the corner of Mt-Rd & Plaza blvd, I wondered what would be a good replacement for the Moncton Chrysler Jeep Dodge once they move.

A Milestone Restaurant came to mind!


Credit tripadvisor.com

Would be nice, but I guess we'll have to wait on that... I was at that dealership to get a new truck last week and asked the salesperson about the new dealership and they only plan on breaking ground at spring 2017 for the new dealership. It was supposed to be this spring but it was delayed for a year.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Scarface

Din't sportschek take that Receiving area over while taking up the rest of Princess Auto, or did they have a new receiving area built?

The schematic below indicates that the space in behind the soon-to-be vacant Pet Culture store is currently not in use.



I have high hopes that the Pet Culture space won't remain vacant long. The stable of tenants in the Northwest Centre is strong, and the immediate neighbours (Sport Chek & Sobeys) are high profile, so I'm sure someone will come along to fill this space pretty soon.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by Scarface

Din't sportschek take that Receiving area over while taking up the rest of Princess Auto, or did they have a new receiving area built?

According to the leasing plan, Sport Chek is 1,082 sq/ft smaller then Princess Auto was.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

What do you mean "until 2017"?

I know they are building a Cabela's at Dartmouth Crossing. Do you simply mean that we lose exclusivity to that brand at that time, or do you mean that you expect the Moncton store to close in 2017??

Personally, I don't think the Cabela's in Halifax means that our store is doomed. In fact, when Cabela's first entered the Canadian marketplace, they stated that their objective was to open a store in every single Canadian province (I'm not sure if they knew how small PEI is ).

In any event, I still see no evidence of a demise for the local store. They are still advertising for staff on an ongoing basis. I think they are almost as busy as Bass Pro.

Bass Pro is buting Cabelas, i wonder how that will have any effect on planned cabela stores...

Bass Pro Is Moving Forward With Buying Cabelas

[MonctonRad]

Quotes from the linked article:

Market analysts say that by working with Goldman Sachs, Bass Pro will certainly have the ability to pursue the purchase of Cabela’s—but they are not the only ones. There are other entities interested in making bids on the large outdoor retailer, and sources claim the process is still in its earliest stages.

Some observers say that should a sale to Bass Pro move forward, it is possible that Cabela’s infrastructure would remain more or less intact. The Cabela’s brand is very valuable and experts say that Bass Pro would be wise to preserve that.

So, Cabela's is in play and BPS may not ultimately win the battle to take it over. Even if they did, they apparently would be well advised to leave the brand intact and keep existing stores open under the Cabela's name.

Moncton is rather unique however in having both stores operational in a relatively small marketplace. Does this mean that the local Cabela's is at risk with a BPS takeover? It's hard to say. If there are diehard Cabela's loyalists out there, they might be tempted to keep the status quo. Only time will tell......

[micks5477]

Does anyone know the exact date that Pet Culture is closing?

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by micks5477

Does anyone know the exact date that Pet Culture is closing?

this is not 100% I found out some stores out West have already closed there doors as of late last year/early this year, and talking to staff. I've heard they might be closing this May. If it's the case it does not really give them much time to sell off there stock.

[Sandbagger]

Originally Posted by micks5477

Does anyone know the exact date that Pet Culture is closing?

This article dated Apr 25 says "over the next seven weeks"
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2...-pets-store-in-peterborough-closing-soon

That's not a definite date, but it's something.

[MonctonRad]

Another retail victim at Champlain Place.

stockhomme has closed it's doors. Again, it's not as if it's Moncton being particularly victimized (they recently closed their store in Charlottetown too) and as of tonight, their retail website is not operational, so who knows what's going on with the chain.

It is concerning however for Champlain Place giving the mounting number of vacant storefronts at the mall, (with more vacancies on the way). Tommy Hilfiger will be gone soon, as will the Champlain Dental Centre. I have no idea what's going on with ecko unlimited (that store just feels like a temporary location). There are several other storefronts at the mall with "placeholder" stores as well. This is all in addition to several already vacant storefronts.

It's either one of two things going on. Either Champlain Place is really in trouble in terms of finding replacement retailers or the mall is "cleaning house" in preparation for a major upgrade in the near future. Hopefully it's the latter. The last couple of times the mall had multiple vacancies like this, it was in preparation to relocate and consolidate space for a couple of new major retailers (Victoria's Secret/Pink and H&M).

We know that the Tommy and the old International Clothiers space are being consolidated for a new restaurant. That is virtually certain (although the name of the chain is not definitely known). Is there another major retailer (or two) on the way? I personally have a suspicion that Forever 21 (or F21 Red) may be on the way, but I have no proof of this. If they were to come, the obvious location would be the old Gap store. Only time will tell.

In any event, I think the summer/fall season for Champlain Place will be crucial in showing us the future of the mall. Will it keep pace with HSC and MicMac in Halifax, or will it fade into being just another moderately successful mall in a middle sized Canadian city. If it's the latter fate, then will Cadillac Fairview keep the mall in it's retail stable, or will it sell it off to another company. If CF can't attract good quality retailers to the city, then I imagine they might dispose of the mall. I remain hopeful, but the next six months or so will be crucial. Stay tuned.

[pierremoncton]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

stockhomme has closed it's doors. Again, it's not as if it's Moncton being particularly victimized (they recently closed their store in Charlottetown too) and as of tonight, their retail website is not operational, so who knows what's going on with the chain.

stockhomme is owned by International Clothiers (closed), so no surprise.

[OUIR@random]

Regarding Champlain; I agree with the statement from MonctonRad above. I think it's a combination of both, Canadian chains are in trouble and Champlain is playing second fiddle to Halifax. We haven't seen anything exciting at Champlain in years other than BPS, which I don't really see as part of the mall per say for several reasons. They must step up to the plate and attract sought-after international and american chains to be successful. In the coming weeks and months the Halifax Shopping Centre will confirm its status as the number one mall in Atlantic Canada on several fronts, it's already in the top 25 malls in Canada ($ per sq ft.) which is the benchmark to identify successful shopping centres. My top 5 mall in Atlantic Canada would be as followed; 1. HSC, 2. Mic Mac, 3. Champlain, 4. Avalon, 5. Regent.

[stephan.richard]

Originally Posted by OUIR@random

Regarding Champlain; I agree with the statement from MonctonRad above. I think it's a combination of both, Canadian chains are in trouble and Champlain is playing second fiddle to Halifax. We haven't seen anything exciting at Champlain in years other than BPS, which I don't really see as part of the mall per say for several reasons. They must step up to the plate and attract sought-after international and american chains to be successful. In the coming weeks and months the Halifax Shopping Centre will confirm its status as the number one mall in Atlantic Canada on several fronts, it's already in the top 25 malls in Canada ($ per sq ft.) which is the benchmark to identify successful shopping centres. My top 5 mall in Atlantic Canada would be as followed; 1. HSC, 2. Mic Mac, 3. Champlain, 4. Avalon, 5. Regent.

I agree with you to this extent.. I do agree that CF Champlain has been lacking umph within the last few years. And minus Bass Pro Shops Cadillac Fairview has next to nothing to show for the mall except retailer closing or decamping for cheaper alternatives. I hope within the next few years we can see Sobeys move out and then be replaced with Forever 21 and so on and you guys know by now my wishlist for CF Champlain.

And it's nice to see that Maplton Center is starting to fillup. And i can see the addition of a Tagner or Premier Outlets location in the Trinity Mapleton area.

And I think Day and Ross should move to make was for a bigger and larger Costco.

[L'homard]

That bigger and larger Costco is about four to six weeks away from being announced for Harrisville Boulevard.

[Monctoncore]

The only problem is we shouldn't even be talking about Halifax and Moncton in the same sentence, population wise we are different, but also, there is a huge distance for Everyone else to get to Halifax. Yes it has great shopping, but it's a hell of a drive for anyone who doesn't live near or around the HRM, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Charlottetown (pei in general) Bathurst, miramichi and the list goes on... I do have friends who deal with attracting potential businesses ( retail) to malls etc. And from what I heard Champlain is slow at attracting retail because of the issue with lack of space and size, to many small stores, and not enough free space in between. You can only shuffle stores around so much before you have to kick one out.. The retailers looking to set up shop currently are all large foot prints and can't use the old 500 sq foot jewelry store or stockhomme, they need 7000-10000 square feet

[stephan.richard]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

The only problem is we shouldn't even be talking about Halifax and Moncton in the same sentence, population wise we are different, but also, there is a huge distance for Everyone else to get to Halifax. Yes it has great shopping, but it's a hell of a drive for anyone who doesn't live near or around the HRM, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Charlottetown (pei in general) Bathurst, miramichi and the list goes on... I do have friends who deal with attracting potential businesses ( retail) to malls etc. And from what I heard Champlain is slow at attracting retail because of the issue with lack of space and size, to many small stores, and not enough free space in between. You can only shuffle stores around so much before you have to kick one out.. The retailers looking to set up shop currently are all large foot prints and can't use the old 500 sq foot jewelry store or stockhomme, they need 7000-10000 square feet

With this being said I think IF Sobeys moves out it will clear out some space in the mall and also wouldn't it be time for Champlain to undergo another expansion say towards Chapters and Cineplex? Or can the city get another enclosed mall to compete with CF Champlain say near the trinity drive area that could include an amusement park say like Crystal Palace 1.2. Thats just an option.

[Hogie75]

Originally Posted by L'homard

That bigger and larger Costco is about four to six weeks away from being announced for Harrisville Boulevard.

Wow interesting, is this a rumour or for sure, if for sure, what is your source?

[whisky7up]

I've lurked here for a while but I've never seen any mention of a potential reason for Champlain having problems, if indeed they are.

It occurs to me that it's never been as busy as before the day they banned the use of carts between stores.

I don't go there that often and the reason for this is it was no longer practical for my wife, who had certain mobility limitations, to get around without the cart to use for support and the means to transport purchased items around.

I know this was an issue with elderly folk as well as those with other mobility issues.

But even for able bodied people with cars, it seemed to me that you'd have to keep leaving the complex to put purchases in your car and then go back inside to continue, perhaps even moving your car to another part as you emerge from the various exits with whatever you bought.

I mean, you don't want to buy that toaster in Walmart, leave to put it in your car nearby, then finish up in Sobeys and haul your groceries all the way back to where you parked your car near the Walmart entrance.

It makes alternatives more attractive.

[MonctonRad]

Welcome to the forums!

Your comments are well put.

I understand where the mall is coming from in terms of limiting carts in the main concourse however. It limits clutter and keeps the common areas looking clean and inviting. One never knows where those carts end up once they are on the loose.

One of the advantages of big box stores is that you are able to park close to the entrance of the store that you are interesting in going to. It's hard for any mall to compete with that. On the other hand, it's much more pleasant strolling in the mall environment, especially in February. A mall invites window shopping year round.

Doesn't the mall have a limited number of wheelchairs and walkers available for people with mobility issues to use? You could check with the concierge desk to find out.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by L'homard

That bigger and larger Costco is about four to six weeks away from being announced for Harrisville Boulevard.

Interesting.

So you have an ironclad source that Costco is definitely moving to Harrisville Blvd, and the announcement will definitely be 4-6 weeks away?

It's interesting to note that Costco is planning on moving their east end Ottawa store to a new standalone development, exactly for the same reasons as here in Moncton.

Here's the link to the article:
http://www.obj.ca/Local/Retail/2016-04-2...eadying-for-move-to-Shoppers-City-East/1



Quote from the Ottawa article:

The warehouse retail giant’s current east-end store at the corner of Cyrville and Innes roads, which has long been the subject of complaints about a lack of parking, has only two entrances and one exit that is often manned by a traffic cop

The new Ottawa store will be 155,000 sq ft (up from 100,000 sq ft) and will contain a Costco gas bar.

It sounds to me as if Moncton will get the same treatment as Ottawa east end as far as Costco expansion plans are concerned. I imagine the new store (if built) will look a lot like the rendering in the image above.........