General Updates and News

[ns_kid]

Marco Group started renovations on Mic Mac Mall last fall but owner Ivanhoe Cambridge finally made a statement about it yesterday in a news release. It says they are spending $55 million and the work will include "new upgrades in the common areas, such as the renovation of the food court on the third level, with new seating, lighting and dining options."

It also announced that Linen Chest will be one of the retailers locating in the former Target/Zellers/Eatons space at the south end of the mall. No other retailers are named. Halifax Retales earlier reported that Chapters/Indigo may relocate from their stand-alone location at the north end of the mall. Linen Chest already has a Bayers Lake store.

The work will also include replacing and relocating the escalators, work that's already underway, and replacing all the old railings around the open centre court. These date to the mall's opening in 1973; I have fond memories of leaning on them with the boss during slow periods when I worked at the original Coles ("The Book People") back then.

The work is supposed to be completed by late next year.

Artist's rendering of the updated south end of the Mall:

[Keith P.]

It's a shame they do not appear to be doing anything about the mall entrance at that end (in the corner between BMO and whatever replaced the NSLC there) which has always seemed like an afterthought and is difficult to access and dingy. I can appreciate that it might be a difficult thing to fix.

[terrynorthend]

London Free Press is reporting that IKEA is putting plans to open a full store on hold (indefinitely) while they examine their options in a rapidly changing retail environment.

It seems like we got ours just in time. I wonder what this portends for IKEA's plans overall.

[HalifaxRetales]

Originally Posted by terrynorthend

London Free Press is reporting that IKEA is putting plans to open a full store on hold (indefinitely) while they examine their options in a rapidly changing retail environment.

It seems like we got ours just in time. I wonder what this portends for IKEA's plans overall.

IKEA is still buying the land in London though

and Quebec City store opens in a few weeks

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by HalifaxRetales

IKEA is still buying the land in London though

and Quebec City store opens in a few weeks

Ikea's existing store model must be a very expensive one to build and operate. Huge stores, lots of frills like the food hall, massive footprint, big inventories, and lots of staff. One wonders if they would not be served by a better model that is a showroom where items can be seen/touched/used and then ordered for expedited delivery.

[alps]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

One wonders if they would not be served by a better model that is a showroom where items can be seen/touched/used and then ordered for expedited delivery.

Ikea's four stores in Hong Kong are set up that way. You can buy smaller items at the store, but anything substantial or specialized must be ordered from the warehouse in Kwai Chung. Also, all the stores are located in the upper floors of existing highrises (except for the Causeway Bay location, which is in a basement).

I visited Halifax earlier this month and was impressed with the new Ikea. The restaurant was really nice – both the store and the restaurant seemed to have a better selection than Ikea in HK. Much better shopping experience than HK too. Just too bad about the location and lack of transit access.

[Querce]

The new Shell station station on Main Street has the convenience store facing the street and the pumps in the back

https://www.facebook.com/villageonmainNS...55.320119.357036001954/10156300727921955

[Jstaleness]

Originally Posted by Querce

The new Shell station station on Main Street has the convenience store facing the street and the pumps in the back

https://www.facebook.com/villageonmainNS...55.320119.357036001954/10156300727921955

I can't believe this got approved. With all the talk of fixing Main St. Dartmouth these past years, this is a huge step backwards. We didn't need another gas station.

[ns_kid]

Originally Posted by Jstaleness

I can't believe this got approved. With all the talk of fixing Main St. Dartmouth these past years, this is a huge step backwards. We didn't need another gas station.

It is and we don't. (There are two other gas stations within a block.) But no approval was required. The lot was already zoned to allow it. It is clear that despite years of talk about revitalizing Main Street, HRM council has done exactly nothing to facilitate it. Speaking as a resident of the district for 25 years, it's a simply a disgrace.

[terrynorthend]

Halifax Retales is reporting a rumour that Simons is going into 2 floors of the Sears space in Hfx Shopping Centre, and Marshalls, & Homesense the remaining floor. Also that a Tesla store is coming to Halifax, possibly in HSC.

[HalifaxRetales]

Originally Posted by terrynorthend

Halifax Retales is reporting a rumour that Simons is going into 2 floors of the Sears space in Hfx Shopping Centre, and Marshalls, & Homesense the remaining floor. Also that a Tesla store is coming to Halifax, possibly in HSC.

All still unconfirmed, but solid talk
the Tesla may end up being a full Service Centre elsewhere

[teddifax]

Has anyone else heard the rumour that the Round Tower in Clayton Park at 200 Willett is going to be demolished and the site rebuilt. I live across the street and have been noticing the seemingly alarming number of vacant windows and was recently told that leases are not being renewed and they are emptying out the building. I don't know if this also includes the low-rise apartment buildings behind this one. There have been various owners of this property over the years and none have taken good care of the property. I wonder what will be built there.....

[kph06]

Originally Posted by teddifax

Has anyone else heard the rumour that the Round Tower in Clayton Park at 200 Willett is going to be demolished and the site rebuilt. I live across the street and have been noticing the seemingly alarming number of vacant windows and was recently told that leases are not being renewed and they are emptying out the building. I don't know if this also includes the low-rise apartment buildings behind this one. There have been various owners of this property over the years and none have taken good care of the property. I wonder what will be built there.....

Totally anecdotal, but I had heard that was a well built building, same with Forest Green (3 pointed building across the street). I like seeing these 70's built buildings modernized. Maybe they will gut it if the structure is solid.

Timbercreek was the last manger I remember seeing on the signs and they don't list it on their website anymore. Looking at the site it is pretty large, and the footprint isn't, so it probably is a good candidate for a rebuild. I don't recall seeing Timbercreek building anything here, they seem to purchase buildings that have occupancy.

[teddifax]

I live in Forrest Green and yes they are modernizing all the units here, but the Round Tower sadly has not been maintained. The grounds are not taken care of.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Jstaleness

I can't believe this got approved. With all the talk of fixing Main St. Dartmouth these past years, this is a huge step backwards. We didn't need another gas station.

This isn't Main St's biggest problem. The other side of the street, with it's weed dispensaries, head shops, tattoo parlor, pawn shops, 🞵🞵🞵 toy emporium and various other sketchy enterprises needs to be razed.

I noticed the other day that the C-store being built abuts almost directly to the sidewalk. A very odd look. The gas pumps are at the center/rear of the lot.

[Jstaleness]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

This isn't Main St's biggest problem. The other side of the street, with it's weed dispensaries, head shops, tattoo parlor, pawn shops, 🞵🞵🞵 toy emporium and various other sketchy enterprises needs to be razed.

I'll buy that they may not be everyone's favorite stores both visually and product offering. I do visit these shops from time to time so they do serve a purpose for me at least. However I never drove down the street worrying about running out of gas.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by teddifax

Has anyone else heard the rumour that the Round Tower in Clayton Park at 200 Willett is going to be demolished and the site rebuilt. I live across the street and have been noticing the seemingly alarming number of vacant windows and was recently told that leases are not being renewed and they are emptying out the building. I don't know if this also includes the low-rise apartment buildings behind this one. There have been various owners of this property over the years and none have taken good care of the property. I wonder what will be built there.....

That would be a shame as it is one of the few buildings built around here during that era that has some character.

Hopefully it will just be a gutting and renovation from the interior side.

[stevencourchene]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

This isn't Main St's biggest problem. The other side of the street, with it's weed dispensaries, head shops, tattoo parlor, pawn shops, 🞵🞵🞵 toy emporium and various other sketchy enterprises needs to be razed.

I noticed the other day that the C-store being built abuts almost directly to the sidewalk. A very odd look. The gas pumps are at the center/rear of the lot.

why are you narrow minded! get out of our city and move to the country where none of the "sketchy places are"

we are a small but still a city and need places of all kinds.

i understand that the store fronts don't look new and the most appealing but theses are all stores we need.

i don't smoke and wont but i am a realist and realize people do and they need their store to get it for what ever reason they choose also head shop and tattoo parlor same thing people get tattoos and hair done and want not and everyone in the world has a reason at one point or another to use a convenient located 🞵🞵🞵 shop and if you haven't found that you did you may want to start by going in and seeing what theses places could offer you in life.

these stores are not huge money making companies and need a place to be and affordable and convenient.

also may i ad last year it was found nova Scotians purchase the most 🞵🞵🞵 related and novelty products then any other place in Canada but yet we have the smallest amount of places to shop for such items then the rest of Canada

night magic use the to be best.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by stevencourchene

why are you narrow minded! get out of our city and move to the country where none of the "sketchy places are"

we are a small but still a city and need places of all kinds.

i understand that the store fronts don't look new and the most appealing but theses are all stores we need.

i don't smoke and wont but i am a realist and realize people do and they need their store to get it for what ever reason they choose also head shop and tattoo parlor same thing people get tattoos and hair done and want not and everyone in the world has a reason at one point or another to use a convenient located 🞵🞵🞵 shop and if you haven't found that you did you may want to start by going in and seeing what theses places could offer you in life.

these stores are not huge money making companies and need a place to be and affordable and convenient.

also may i ad last year it was found nova Scotians purchase the most 🞵🞵🞵 related and novelty products then any other place in Canada but yet we have the smallest amount of places to shop for such items then the rest of Canada

night magic use the to be best.

Geez pal, don't get you split-crotch bloomers in a bunch!

I'm not the one posting renderings of a bucolic tree-lined Main St with boutiques and cafes populated by young professional couples pushing designer baby carriages. That is the planning community. Such businesses as I describe and you endorse seem not to be part of the planning credo these days.

[Acadie_1755]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Geez pal, don't get you split-crotch bloomers in a bunch!

I'm not the one posting renderings of a bucolic tree-lined Main St with boutiques and cafes populated by young professional couples pushing designer baby carriages. That is the planning community. Such businesses as I describe and you endorse seem not to be part of the planning credo these days.

Who says young professional couples never go to smokeshops, tattoo shops, 🞵🞵🞵 shops or hell, even all three? Maybe they've started a family and have a respectable line of work now, but liked to blaze it and get some ink in their younger years. Main street is a community, not a monastery.

Your habit of pushing the blame on the planning profession as a whole, especially when other forum users call out the flaws in your arguments, has become quite redundant. Planning is not solely about boutiques, cafes or designer carriages, even if a developer or community group decides to market the neighborhood in that way.