The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Could be people driving to Metrotown versus paying downtown parking rates (avoiding transit). Anyone know if Metrotown Station is busy?

There are people but it's not as busy as it used to be. Thankfully most are wearing masks now.

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

The psychology is interesting because people apparently are less willing to walk on open-air streets downtown but seem far less deterred by crowding into a closed mall like Metrotown.

Downtown seems like the safer option under the circumstances.

I think it's the trip that's limiting people more than the destination. While Metrotown mall has picked up, it's nowhere near as busy as it used to be. Plus the majority of people are wearing masks now that more stores are making it mandatory, so it's not like you're running the gauntlet by going there.

[officedweller]

Pic by me today:

@The Tate

[Vin]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

I think people scared to use the skytrain hasn't helped, my coworker who uses it said around that time, April - June, during the rush said he could have a whole train car to himself on the way in from Surrey. Plus most of the stores were closed. Nordstrom was closed a long time.

Tokyo retail is really bad too according to some Tokyo Vloggers I've been watching, a few iconic stores in Akihabara are closing down to lack of customers and foot traffic. Once bustling streets look quite dead.

I was at Park Royal as well as Lonsdale Market/Shipyard... Loads of people there. Essentially if you provide nodes of sheltered venues where people can gather for food, entertainment, shopping, relaxation or loitering, etc., people will come. It may be a shopping mall, shopping centre, public market, food-based market with cafes, etc: it doesn't matter. Sure beats shopping along a long stretch of boring road full of vehicular traffic (eg. Kingsway), where people just do their thing and then get the hell out, and hence the lack of retail synergy. That also explains why so many outdoor retail shops are doing so badly, with many businesses ended up going belly-up.

Oh by the way, at Park Royal mall, the indoor part of the shopping has way more people than the outdoor portion, including the north section. My point.

[SpongeG]

if Homesense weren't all the way at the end of the outdoor mall there would be no point to go the outdoor portion at Park Royal.

[SFUVancouver]

The podium for Tate ended up looking nice. Thanks for the photo. I like the pale grey brick and how it comes to grade with strips coming down the residential tower to a layer above the residential podium and then continuing down through the retail podium. 'Connects them all together and adds a sense of solidity.

[officedweller]

There's also the pixelated effect of the bricks getting lighter in colour as they rise up the tower.
The only complaint about the tower is the abundance of randomly placed spandrel.
Even the abundance of mullions can be defended as adding "detail".

[SpongeG]

whats opening in there? a butcher shop?

[RDW989]

Sebastian & Co "local craft butchery" -- first store in West Van

https://www.sebastianandco.ca

[SpongeG]

ah ok, i can't read what the pic says. Should be an interesting addition to the area.

[officedweller]

Starbucks makes masks mandatory at all Canadian locations
https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/09/13/starbucks-masks-mandatory/

Family of slain Vancouver businessman prepares to close store [McIver's]
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/family-of-slain-vancouver-businessman-prepares-to-close-store-1.5098697

[HelloKitty]

Anyone know please if Zara in Metrotown moved or shut down? Its Metrotown space is already boarded up with no note or signage (as far as I saw it).

Also saw/dropped by a pen/stationery store near Muji there that sells some proper German, Japanese pens etc. No more having to go to the Vancouver Pen Shop on Seymour St.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by HelloKitty

Anyone know please if Zara in Metrotown moved or shut down? Its Metrotown space is already boarded up with no note or signage.

Also saw/dropped by a pen/stationery store near Muji there that sells some proper German, Japanese pens etc. No more having to go to the Vancouver Pen Shop on Seymour St.

There seem to be a lot of changes in that wing of the mall but not sure what the overall plan is.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by HelloKitty

Anyone know please if Zara in Metrotown moved or shut down? Its Metrotown space is already boarded up with no note or signage (as far as I saw it).

Also saw/dropped by a pen/stationery store near Muji there that sells some proper German, Japanese pens etc. No more having to go to the Vancouver Pen Shop on Seymour St.

Someone said they are renovating until next spring

https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comme...acific_centre_aberdeen_how_are_they_now/

[shreddog]

Its more than just Vancouver retail, but we're likely to see more of an impact wrt the HQ

Originally Posted by shreddog

Does this mean REI might consider moving into Canada?

MEC to be acquired by Kingswood Capital Management through CCAA Proceeding

[djh]

Originally Posted by shreddog

Its more than just Vancouver retail, but we're likely to see more of an impact wrt the HQ

So wasn't MEC originally structured as a Co-Op to avoid paying (property?) taxes? What will happen once the purchase completes? Will they suddenly have a huge tax bill? Or have they been preparing for a purchase and offloading their assets?

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by HelloKitty

Anyone know please if Zara in Metrotown moved or shut down? Its Metrotown space is already boarded up with no note or signage (as far as I saw it).

Also saw/dropped by a pen/stationery store near Muji there that sells some proper German, Japanese pens etc. No more having to go to the Vancouver Pen Shop on Seymour St.

Zara isn't listed on the mall website anymore so...

I also found this from a few months ago: Zara owner to close up to 1,200 fashion stores around the world

The owner of Zara will close as many as 1,200 stores around the world as the clothing retailer tries to boost online sales during the chaos wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Inditex said it would “absorb” between 1,000 and 1,200 mainly smaller stores, with losses concentrated among older shops from brands other than Zara. The Spanish company’s other brands include Bershka, Pull & Bear and Massimo Dutti.

Closures are expected to be concentrated in Asia and Europe. It is understood that the 107 Inditex stores in the UK are less likely to be significantly affected.

...

[SpongeG]

Zara has been closing a number of stores in the USA lately as well. Surprised they would shut the Metrotown store down, given the other choices.

[Sheba]

MEC to be acquired by Kingswood Capital

Mountain Equipment Co-op says its board of directors has unanimously approved a deal in which a Los Angeles-based private investment firm will acquire MEC's assets, including the majority of its retail stores.

Vancouver-based MEC says the transition from a co-operative structure to a subsidiary of Kingswood Capital Management is needed to ensure a stable future for the business.

The retailer says it has been granted court protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), allowing it to continue operating e-commerce and retail stores while the transaction and other elements of the plan are completed.

Kingswood managing partner Alex Wolf says in a statement he is “honoured” to work with his new Canadian operating partners, adding his company is committed to continue to “inspire and equip” Canadians who enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle.

Long-standing MEC member and Canadian Eric Claus will lead Kingswood's newly formed Canadian affiliate as chair and CEO.

...

[Waders]

I wonder whether some of the Zara space can be reserved as a "future" mall entrance. The new pedestrian bridge that was supposed to be built from the skytrain station ends at that location.

Of course the proposed mall redevelopment means the pedestrian bridge might not be built.

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by djh

So wasn't MEC originally structured as a Co-Op to avoid paying (property?) taxes?

No that's ancient sour grapes from competitors-the Coop was established to sell quality outdoor goods that weren't widely available at the time.

source-have been a member over 40 years now.

Originally Posted by djh

What will happen once the purchase completes? Will they suddenly have a huge tax bill?

That is the question.

Originally Posted by djh

Or have they been preparing for a purchase and offloading their assets?

Indeed.