[Moncton] Retail Thread

[Feneant]

Reminds me a bit of The Works in Ottawa, the selection isn't nearly as varied but it looks really good. Hopefully they'll fare better than Relish did when they opened downtown.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by Feneant

Reminds me a bit of The Works in Ottawa, the selection isn't nearly as varied but it looks really good. Hopefully they'll fare better than Relish did when they opened downtown.

The works is a fantastic restaurant!! I had a peanut butter and bacon burger there last time I was in Ottawa.

[MonctonRad]

Construction fencing is up, and construction trailers are on site at the old Sears location at CF Champlain.

That didn't take long!!

It just goes to show that Cadillac Fairview has been working on this file for quite some time in preparation for Sears demise. My guess remains Simons, but that is still nothing more than a rumour.

In any event, I'm very pleased that this retail space won't be allowed to go fallow for very long........

[Taeolas]

Yup, I think Cadillac Fairview is happy Sears finally went, to finally shake that albatross off and start moving on the file.

I'm sure people will scour work permits and anything else they can find to get clues for what's coming.

[Scarface]

I actually think there was something posted at the now block off doors to Sears from in the mall. So it should not take long to find out what is moving in.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It just goes to show that Cadillac Fairview has been working on this file for quite some time in preparation for Sears demise. My guess remains Simons, but that is still nothing more than a rumour.

Simons would indeed be the best outcome but I am very skeptical. Simons stores located in malls always have very distinct exteriors, not a brick box like the former Sears. I would think we would have seen a render or there would have been some public discussion at Dieppe city hall, similar to when Bass Pro Shop came to town. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

Simons would indeed be the best outcome but I am very skeptical. Simons stores located in malls always have very distinct exteriors, not a brick box like the former Sears. I would think we would have seen a render or there would have been some public discussion at Dieppe city hall, similar to when Bass Pro Shop came to town. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

This bothers me too. There was a lot of secrecy about BPS, but we knew what the store was going to be before they started construction. If this were Simons, you would think there would have been an announcement by now.

Of course, we don't know what's going on in the Sears space. Maybe the current permit is only for interior demolition and not for renovations.

[OUIR@random]

I believe that there is a demolition at the Sears location and not a construction per se. They need to gut that thing before anything moves in. I don't expect an announcement until later this year and an opening of whatever is coming before 2019. I've been wrong before, but that is my gut feeling as of now. We all believe that CF has a plan for this and that they have something up their sleeve, maybe just maybe neither HBC or Simons are interested in coming at Champlain at all or perhaps CF doesn't want a department store in that location. Department stores are struggling in North America particularly mid-level department stores, the only new openings that we are seeing in Canada are upscale Simons and luxury Nordstroms and Saks. For us the only contender is Simons and that is a big if at this point. We might end up with a space that will be subdivided in smaller shops. The Archambault rumor is still in the back of my mind though... and I keep hearing that a Quebec based large format store is coming. Interesting times, but are these rumors based on facts or based on what people would like to see (Qc based company, Simons, Archambault...)?

[felip_ars]

What about Sportium?


They're a Quebec based sports store with 3 stores, who just open a 70 000 sqf store in Laval (taking the spot where Target was). They also planned of building one in the West Island.



I know it's unlikely with SportsCheck there as well, but might as well throw the name in the hat as well.

[Patapouf26]

Originally Posted by OUIR@random

The Archambault rumor is still in the back of my mind though... and I keep hearing that a Quebec based large format store is coming. Interesting times, but are these rumors based on facts or based on what people would like to see (Qc based company, Simons, Archambault...)?

I still believe that Simons is coming, seems to make the most sense. They're also working on the old Sears auto repair shop. This spot would totally make sense for an Archambault. I can only think of one store (Québec city) that's situated in a mall. I'm still surprised that they would consider our market. IMO, the name itself may be enough to discourage potential anglophone customers and not make things viable... I hope this last comment comes across as respectful.

Other options from Québec that are healthy retailers? Tanguay, Chocolat Favori, Souris Mini, Clément, etc. Is SAIL from Québec?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

They're also working on the old Sears auto repair shop. This spot would totally make sense for an Archambault. I can only think of one store (Québec city) that's situated in a mall. I'm still surprised that they would consider our market. IMO, the name itself may be enough to discourage potential anglophone customers and not make things viable... I hope this last comment comes across as respectful.

The name wouldn't bother me at all, or the fact that it is a Quebec based retailer either. What would matter is whether or not they would modify their product selection to reflect the fact that the Moncton market is majority Anglophone. If the store only carried a small amount of English language materials and products, then they would be drastically reducing the size of their potential market in the city and region.

[Patapouf26]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The name wouldn't bother me at all, or the fact that it is a Quebec based retailer either.

As well as it shouldn't (logically) especially if what you say below is true. The only example I can really think of is when I was a kid living Saint John. There was a St. Hubert on Rothesay avenue. It eventually closed - rumour was because it had a french name and that the average Joe or Jane couldn't pronounce it. Then, in 2013, two express locations in the same city closed down. St Hubert doesn't sell french books, music, etc. They sell roast chicken and are generally very profitable at it.

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

What would matter is whether or not they would modify their product selection to reflect the fact that the Moncton market is majority Anglophone. If the store only carried a small amount of English language materials and products, then they would be drastically reducing the size of their potential market in the city and region.

For a store to have a french name, I believe that it may be already be facing an upwards battle just on the assumption that it caters mostly to the francophone population, especially for a Chapters-type store like Archambault. Simons won't be facing that same challenge, probably much like Linen Chest hasn't (both Québec based).

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

Is SAIL from Québec?

Yes.

The name SAIL has nothing to do with sailboats BTW.

It stands for Surplus d'Armée Imrico Limitée.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

For a store to have a french name, I believe that it may be already be facing an upwards battle just on the assumption that it caters mostly to the francophone population, especially for a Chapters-type store like Archambault. Simons won't be facing that same challenge, probably much like Linen Chest hasn't (both Québec based).

I can definitely see the mental shortcut that leads to "Archambault is like Chapters but for Frenchies", and lots of people writing it off for that reason.

They'd have a good bit of work to do to dispel that initial perception.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

Other options from Québec that are healthy retailers? Tanguay, Chocolat Favori, Souris Mini, Clément, etc. Is SAIL from Québec?

Souris Mini is in financial trouble right now.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

As well as it shouldn't (logically) especially if what you say below is true. The only example I can really think of is when I was a kid living Saint John. There was a St. Hubert on Rothesay avenue. It eventually closed - rumour was because it had a french name and that the average Joe or Jane couldn't pronounce it. Then, in 2013, two express locations in the same city closed down. St Hubert doesn't sell french books, music, etc. They sell roast chicken and are generally very profitable at it.

.

St. Hubert doesn't sound like that much of a tongue-twister for even the most unilingual anglo.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

This spot would totally make sense for an Archambault. I can only think of one store (Québec city) that's situated in a mall.

Archambault's store in Gatineau is also in a mall (Les Promenades Gatineau - the largest in the city). Right next to a Simons in fact.

[L'homard]

Some in Moncton refer to Swiss Chalet as the English chicken and St. Hub as the French chicken. I find that funny as hell, in a good way.
"Honey, do you want to go to the French chicken or the English chicken tonight? I like the portions better at the French chicken, but prefer the sauce at the English chicken."
I've actually heard this conversation and similar ones. It certainly solves any problems with pronunciation. :LOL:

[MonctonRad]

It doesn't matter much any more - they're both owned by Cara Foods.

[Patapouf26]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Souris Mini is in financial trouble right now.

That's right, I forgot that they filed for bankruptcy protection... Scratch that one off!