[Moncton] Retail Thread

[Taeolas]

Originally Posted by JHikka

I don't see why this would be the case. Being bought out by a company does not inherently mean that all projects are put on pause or canceled outright only to be eventually restarted again down the line.

The negativity is strong in this thread right now, that's for sure.

The negativity is strong I suspect because we have past history as an indicator.

When Empire was the maritime cinemas, things languished a bit, but the Crystal Palace renovations were happening giving us hope that we'd see a freshening up of the NB Cinema scene.

Then Empire got bought by Cineplex and while Crystal Palace finished, nothing has happened at the other 3 theatres since then.

Now we were at the point where it felt like there was serious talks for improvements in Moncton, Freddy and SJ. Especially with all the Rec Room expansion plans Cineplex was talking about; we were starting to get hopeful. But nothing has been officially announced (or even unofficially announced), and now Regal has bought up Cineplex effectively. Anything not officially announced is probably going to be on hold until they finish reviewing all of Cineplex's plans and figure out which ones to go forward with.

On top of that, we're drifting further and further from HQ, and getting more and more forgotten. NB theatres went from a third of Empire's offerings (or whatever we were) to a fraction of Cineplex's offerings, to a tiny fraction of Cineworld's offerings. Making our needs heard in that situation is getting harder and harder to do; and more likely they'll just stick with the status quo minimal updates, at least for the near and medium future.

If that isn't the case, and they decide to push through an aggressive update and rebranding program focusing on smaller and medium markets, then I'll be plesantly surprised. But I'm not holding my breath.

[MonctonRad]

Indeed. While this buyout may be excellent news for Cineplex shareholders, I suspect that for casual moviegoers, this is very bad news indeed. As much of head office function as possible will be moving to Knoxville TN from Toronto, and a good chunk of the Cineplex leadership will not be staying with the company. The Toronto office will likely be a shell.

How many people in Knoxville know where the Maritimes are? Hell, probably most of them would have difficulty finding Canada on a map.........

[OUIR@random]

Cineworld is not American, it's British (it doesn't mean any better!), but the American division is based in Tennessee indeed (Regal Cinemas). In any event, it does not bode well for us around here, unless it brings competition to the East Coast; Guzzo or Landmark Cinemas... but I doubt it.
I was so surprised when I saw the headline this morning, so unexpected and a lot less dramatic than the drama going on with Hudson's Bay ownership...

The Scene program was nice, I bet it will be all be gone come this time next year, that's too bad because it's a nice program. It's nice to keep things Canadian, especially nowadays (sigh).

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by OUIR@random

The Scene program was nice, I bet it will be all be gone come this time next year, that's too bad because it's a nice program. It's nice to keep things Canadian, especially nowadays (sigh).

Another article says the Scene program will continue.

Cineplex's Scene loyalty program is expected to continue, the company said. "We have no reason to believe that there will be any changes to the Scene program as a result of this transaction," spokeswoman Sarah Van Lange wrote in an email.

[Taeolas]

Frankly, I'll believe it when I Scene it. They'll say that for now, but I'm sure they're shopping it around to Scotia and Cara to see if they want to buy out Cineplex's part.

If we still have Scene 2-3 years after the deal completes, I'll be really surprised.

[MonctonRad]

Yeah, if they are also planning on rolling out this "subscription based" model for attending the movies, it would seem difficult to continue with Scene at the same time........

[MonctonRad]

I was just browsing the mall map for CF Champlain:

https://cfretailcadata.s3.amazonaws.com/Floor_Plan_Dec_13---5df3fd3859767e55bf7125d7.pdf

It is interesting to note that two of the CRUs currently listed as being "vacant" are Starbucks and Jump+.

Both of these tenants have been rumoured recently to be seeking relocation in the mall. I wonder if this is secondary evidence that these units are indeed moving in the New Year? Hmmmm.......

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by OUIR@random

Cineworld is not American, it's British (it doesn't mean any better!), but the American division is based in Tennessee indeed (Regal Cinemas). In any event, it does not bode well for us around here, unless it brings competition to the East Coast; Guzzo or Landmark Cinemas... but I doubt it.
I was so surprised when I saw the headline this morning, so unexpected and a lot less dramatic than the drama going on with Hudson's Bay ownership...

The Scene program was nice, I bet it will be all be gone come this time next year, that's too bad because it's a nice program. It's nice to keep things Canadian, especially nowadays (sigh).

I read elsewhere they will be rebranding as Regal Cinemas to have one North American branded chain. They also seem to have a better loyalty program than Scene.

[L'homard]

As someone who sees a movie maybe once every three years, none of the above will get me into their cinemas any more frequently. I suspect I'm not the only infrequent theatre goer who feels likewise.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I was just browsing the mall map for CF Champlain:

https://cfretailcadata.s3.amazonaws.com/Floor_Plan_Dec_13---5df3fd3859767e55bf7125d7.pdf

It is interesting to note that two of the CRUs currently listed as being "vacant" are Starbucks and Jump+.

Both of these tenants have been rumoured recently to be seeking relocation in the mall. I wonder if this is secondary evidence that these units are indeed moving in the New Year? Hmmmm.......

The staff at the Starbucks in the mall have been telling me for months that something would be happening with their store. They weren't sure if they were going to be expanding/renovating the existing location or moving elsewhere in the mall. If they do move, where in the mall could they go?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

The staff at the Starbucks in the mall have been telling me for months that something would be happening with their store. They weren't sure if they were going to be expanding/renovating the existing location or moving elsewhere in the mall. If they do move, where in the mall could they go?

I suspect both are moving. I in fact have it on reasonably good authority that Jump+ is relocating to a larger footprint CRU (and I know which one), although I'm not prepared to name it just yet.

As far as Starbucks is concerned, I would like to see it move to the vacant CRU next to Sunrise Records, just in front of the TD Corporate Banking Centre. I think that would make a lot of sense given 1,100 nearby thirsty banking employees. Starbucks might have other thoughts however, since this would be away from the main axis of the mall........

[OUIR@random]

Starbucks is not moving in front of TD (Sears), this area is a dead zone, I've often seen tumbleweed rolling around in these parts. No way is a food outlet ever going there. LOL

[MonctonRad]

Claire de Lune is apparently closing at CF Champlain (and in Bathurst).

This is another possibility for a storefront Starbucks. It would allow lots os seating, and this court would be busier than the one in front of the TD Corporate Banking Centre.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I suspect both are moving. I in fact have it on reasonably good authority that Jump+ is relocating to a larger footprint CRU (and I know which one), although I'm not prepared to name it just yet.

As far as Starbucks is concerned, I would like to see it move to the vacant CRU next to Sunrise Records, just in front of the TD Corporate Banking Centre. I think that would make a lot of sense given 1,100 nearby thirsty banking employees. Starbucks might have other thoughts however, since this would be away from the main axis of the mall........

If I were to guess, I would say that the Just Cozy pop up location might be an option for Starbucks. Assuming they are planning to change away from the kiosk style. I was told by a Starbucks employee recently, that nothing will be happening until February. I believe that the Just Cozy lease expires at the end of January. It'a all just speculation on my part, time will tell.

[MonctonRad]

Apparently Quesada, a Mexican burritos and tacos restaurant is confirmed for Paul Street in Dieppe. This had been previously rumoured. It and Cazza Petites will occupy side-by-side subdivided spaces in the former Pets Unlimited location.

https://quesada.ca

[Good2go]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Apparently Quesada, a Mexican burritos and tacos restaurant is confirmed for Paul Street in Dieppe.

https://quesada.ca

Their Newcastle location has survived a few years now, despite being in an odd location.

[drewber]

Originally Posted by Good2go

Their Newcastle location has survived a few years now, despite being in an odd location.

Big 🞵🞵🞵 Buritos and pickled onions sounds good to me. Excited for them to open

[MonctonRad]

Interesting Huddle article about the Cormier's who opened Euston Park Social and Clos this year, as well as the "canteen" at Parlee Beach and providing breakfast buffet service to the Canvas Tapestry Hotel.

https://huddle.today/owners-of-euston-pa...9IL6ajvIqDFluuJRHjUeig-PHCGK9zC64JGNdN4E

It sounds like they aren't finished yet.......

For the future, the Cormiers already have ideas of other restaurant concepts they hope to see in Moncton.

“We open restaurants that we want to dine at. So whenever we’re going to look at new projects, because there will always be more projects in the pipeline, it will be what’s missing in Moncton to us,” Susan said.

“And it will also be what are we passionate about, and what makes business sense,” Gene added. “I grew up here and I’ve seen Moncton grow up, so there’s room for [new concepts] here, which is so cool.”

[hbdesign]

I saw yesterday that claire de lune in the mall is closing permanently im wondering what will replace that store

[Peanutbuttertoes]

Anyone knows if its actually planet fitness coming next to dolorama on mapleton road and if anyone has date of when it would be opening if it is planet fitness?