General Retail News

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

I am so fussy about shoes and clothes and can't really shop for either other than in-store, in-person. What are all you online clothes shoppers trying to do to us!

I don't consider myself fussy when it comes to clothes but I never buy them online, 'cause how can you tell if they fit?

I said this to a friend of mine (who buys almost all of her clothes online) and she says, "well, I know my size so it's fine".

I dunno, sizes are often different from manufacturer to manufacturer, often due to the country where they're based (not necessarily where the clothes are actually made) and typical body types there.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I don't consider myself fussy when it comes to clothes but I never buy them online, 'cause how can you tell if they fit?

I said this to a friend of mine (who buys almost all of her clothes online) and she says, "well, I know my size so it's fine".

I dunno, sizes are often different from manufacturer to manufacturer, often due to the country where they're based (not necessarily where the clothes are actually made) and typical body types there.

I'm with you on this one.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I don't consider myself fussy when it comes to clothes but I never buy them online, 'cause how can you tell if they fit?

I said this to a friend of mine (who buys almost all of her clothes online) and she says, "well, I know my size so it's fine".

I dunno, sizes are often different from manufacturer to manufacturer, often due to the country where they're based (not necessarily where the clothes are actually made) and typical body types there.

I probably wouldn’t buy a suit online, but if it is a brand you already know then jeans, shoes, etc. are pretty straightforward, and things like casual shirts and socks are almost always fine.

[Admiral Nelson]

The new Farm Boy in the former Sobey's on Metcalfe St opens tomorrow, March 5th. The Sobey's closed down last summer.

[BBF_III]

Re: Miss Tiggy Winkles in Westboro, it looks like HighFlight is moving into the space.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by BBF_III

Re: Miss Tiggy Winkles in Westboro, it looks like HighFlight is moving into the space.

In a few years, our main streets will be nothing but coffee shops and pot shops, aren't they? Oh, and Shoppers sprinkled here and there.

[le calmar]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

In a few years, our main streets will be nothing but coffee shops and pot shops, aren't they? Oh, and Shoppers sprinkled here and there.

It is just a rumor at this point, but this Spa is apparently closing down and might be replaced with a cannabis dispensary. A restaurant or almost anything else would be more appropriate for a heritage building imo.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

In a few years, our main streets will be nothing but coffee shops and pot shops, aren't they? Oh, and Shoppers sprinkled here and there.

Don't forget the most common storefront of all in Ottawa... Shawarma!

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Don't forget the most common storefront of all in Ottawa... Shawarma!

And tattoo shops if it's anywhere near Rideau Street.

[MichelKazan]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

In a few years, our main streets will be nothing but coffee shops and pot shops, aren't they? Oh, and Shoppers sprinkled here and there.

Don't forget shawarma, bubble tea and pho.

[mykl]

Devil's advocate: Has anyone ever considered that all these locations exist because they're well-frequented and they're what people want?

I'll see myself out...

[BBF_III]

From Jeff Leiper's website:

There is also a sign at the site of the former Mrs. Tiggy Winkles for a store called Highflight. There’s no licence application for that store yet, though I understand the owners have reached out to my office to set up a time to chat. Before they can operate there, they’ll need to apply for a licence, and I’ll make note of that comment period when it opens in my newsletter.

He also notes two other possible stores in the general area. It will be interesting to see what the market is for the stores. I would imagine that with it being a relatively new legal market, there will be an over saturation of stores in the near future and then it will level out. The Mrs. Tiggy Winkles space is fairly large though, and in a pretty prime location, so it may be difficult for a new business to succeed there given what the expected rent would be.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by mykl

Devil's advocate: Has anyone ever considered that all these locations exist because they're well-frequented and they're what people want?

Seconded.

[Uhuniau]

It's amazing, isn't it?

In the 2015-208ish "grey market" area, the illegal "dispensaries" were concentrated (ha! cannabis product pun) in Vanier and Vanier-adjacent areas along Montreal Road and St-Laurent.

Now that the stuff is full-on legal, all the hipster pot retailers are locating on traditional mainstreets in gentrified neighbourhoods.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by mykl

Devil's advocate: Has anyone ever considered that all these locations exist because they're well-frequented and they're what people want?

I'll see myself out...

Hmmm.... maybe, but what about Shawarma? Shawarma is popular in Ottawa but I hypothesize there is some shady money laundering going on in some of these shops because there is no way there is a market for them on every corner. Should I get myself a tin foil hat or does anyone else ponder that possibility?

[harls]

Shawarma is nowhere near as popular in Gatineau as it is in Ottawa.

But I may be wrong.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

In a few years, our main streets will be nothing but coffee shops and pot shops, aren't they? Oh, and Shoppers sprinkled here and there.

There's good articles out about Manhattan's problem with street retail. Basically, online kills a lot of stores and rent kills the rest. The only stores that can survive are stores that offer physical services you can't get online: tattoo parlours, nail salons, restaurants, coffee. The rest don't physically need to exist on your street.

Originally Posted by Harley613

Don't forget the most common storefront of all in Ottawa... Shawarma!

The only thing I miss about Ottawa since moving to Toronto, honestly.

[CityTech]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Hmmm.... maybe, but what about Shawarma? Shawarma is popular in Ottawa but I hypothesize there is some shady money laundering going on in some of these shops because there is no way there is a market for them on every corner. Should I get myself a tin foil hat or does anyone else ponder that possibility?

It is noticeable how unlike pretty much every other restaurant, shawarma shops seem to be unimpacted by the double-whammy of the 2018 minimum wage hike and the ongoing rapid rise in rents/land values. Prices haven't really gone up, unlike everywhere else.

[Proof Sheet]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Hmmm.... maybe, but what about Shawarma? Shawarma is popular in Ottawa but I hypothesize there is some shady money laundering going on in some of these shops because there is no way there is a market for them on every corner. Should I get myself a tin foil hat or does anyone else ponder that possibility?

If you want to talk about money laundering, check out this place in Nice France.

https://goo.gl/maps/YG46e771u6aFHTa79

http://www.pizzacarlone.com/

The price of a pizza is 5 euros which is big enough to serve 1 person for a meal and a half. Unlimited # of toppings. Cash only. No debit, no credit cards. For most adult males they will throw in a bottle of crap french beer..for most women they offer bottled water in a 250 ml size or if they really persist they will throw in a beer.

The price has not changed since the euro came in (2002?).

Staff change very regularly and they also deliver cars around europe from a nearby garage.

If that doesn't say sketch and money laundering I don't know what does.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by harls

Shawarma is nowhere near as popular in Gatineau as it is in Ottawa.

But I may be wrong.

Never noticed it was less popular. There are 4 places within about 2 km of my house. And this is the burbs.

If Ottawa is a 10 for shawarma mania Gatineau is an 8 or 9.