Canadian Retail Thread

[thewave46]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

There's fewer and fewer of those hardware stores in the older parts of Toronto too. Owners are dying off with no one to takeover. I'm not huge on squeezing through a hardware hoard. On the plus side, the owners are very knowledgeable; they have parts for everything unlike chain stores which only sell popular items; they seem to know where everything is in their mess.

Amazon now carries parts for just about anything.

I think the loss of the personal touch will be the biggest tragedy.

Am otherwise indifferent CT/HD employee just can't offer the same knowledge as the old guy working in a local hardware store has.

It'll disappear like the non-upscale coffee & donut places. Maybe we can salvage it by getting some sort of ironic version like they do with dive bars today.

[megadude]

Agree with the knowledge part. For certain products, I am willing to pay extra from a small store if the guy can offer real knowledge and insight. There's still some independent fishing stores around in Scarboro, Etobicoke, Sauga and Hamilton that I've been to over the past decade +.

Some of the employees who work in the tackle or boat section of Bass Pro, Cabelas and Sail do partake in the hobby but some don't. When you walk into an indy shop, you know right away which employees, if not all, are into the sport and know their stuff. If it's not too busy, they're always willing to talk shop.

I one time walked into one of those shops with my cousin (a tournament angler who really likes these shops) in Hamilton and I had on some scrub WVU shirt. Then I heard a guy in a Southern accent say, "Hey, where'd you get that shirt from?". I told him I went to a game in 2012. He said he's from West Virginia. He met his Hamilton resident wife in Hawaii. Married her, moved here and started a family. I told him how to stream college games online and he was showing me the best colours for senko soft plastic baits. Then my cousin started talking to him about $250 bait casting reels, which I had no interest in because I ain't dropping more than 50 bones on a reel.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

There's fewer and fewer of those hardware stores in the older parts of Toronto too. Owners are dying off with no one to takeover. I'm not huge on squeezing through a hardware hoard. On the plus side, the owners are very knowledgeable; they have parts for everything unlike chain stores which only sell popular items; they seem to know where everything is in their mess.

Amazon now carries parts for just about anything.

It's not really grungy but there is one of those small, old-style neighbourhood hardware stores just around the corner from where one of my kids moved to in Montreal last year.

They lend out dollies to people who buy heavy stuff (many local residents are students without cars) so they're a regular sight on neighbouring streets.

[theman23]

Originally Posted by Loco101

That's my favourite chain restaurant when in BC. I love their West Coast salmon burger. I actually tried it for the first time on the ferry to Nanaimo as they serve many of the restaurant's dishes onboard. White Spot is also pretty decent for breakfast.

Maybe because its the only restaurant chain you know in BC, because White Spot food is pretty mediocre and the overall dining experience pretty bad when you factor in the price, crappy service, and poor upkeep of most of the restaurants.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by Acajack

It's not really grungy but there is one of those small, old-style neighbourhood hardware stores just around the corner from where one of my kids moved to in Montreal last year.

They lend out dollies to people who buy heavy stuff (many local residents are students without cars) so they're a regular sight on neighbouring streets.

Smart/necessary service to provide.

I bought most of my tools at Atlas Tools on Queen West. Finding free/cheap parking was a chore and the store's square footage was too small for all the displays they now have at their new Etobicoke location.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by theman23

Maybe because its the only restaurant chain you know in BC, because White Spot food is pretty mediocre and the overall dining experience pretty bad when you factor in the price, crappy service, and poor upkeep of most of the restaurants.

Wow, I disagree. Decent value for a family going out to a sit down restaurant. Predictable quality, menu is varied enough.

It's not usually my first choice, but it's a reliable one.

[casper]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Wow, I disagree. Decent value for a family going out to a sit down restaurant. Predictable quality, menu is varied enough.

It's not usually my first choice, but it's a reliable one.

I would agree. WhiteSpot is predictable. The food is good, but not spectacular. It is also everywhere.

For me the pre-Covid breakfast has to be the chorizo and goat cheese omelet. I am disappointed it has not returned yet. During COVID they switch to a simpler menu. I have had to compromise and go with the Denver omelet.

Dinner/lunch is either burger or the fish and chips. I could be persuaded to do the beef team.

They also have the mini-WhiteSpots called Triple-O's that are usually co-located with Chevron stations. Those are just really good burgers.

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by casper

I would agree. WhiteSpot is predictable. The food is good, but not spectacular. It is also everywhere.

For me the pre-Covid breakfast has to be the chorizo and goat cheese omelet. I am disappointed it has not returned yet. During COVID they switch to a simpler menu. I have had to compromise and go with the Denver omelet.

Dinner/lunch is either burger or the fish and chips. I could be persuaded to do the beef team.

They also have the mini-WhiteSpots called Triple-O's that are usually co-located with Chevron stations. Those are just really good burgers.

We are seeing Triple Os showing up here now as Chevron returns to Alberta.

There is a small but growing group here trying to get A&W to bring back the Whistle Dog. I'm one of them now.

[JustForTheHalibut]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned OEB Breakfast Co.

It's an American restaurant chain, I think, that has locations in Kelowna and several in lower mainland. Best breakfast from a chain restaurant.

https://eatoeb.com/

[harls]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Ottawa's newest Canadian Tire, u/c at Carlingwood Mall, replacing Sears which had been there since the mall's opening in 1955.

I don't get why they are building another one here. Didn't they just build a multi level one a few years ago at Carling/Queensway? Or is that one going to be bulldozed?

Fucking Canadian Tire. Useless, clueless teen employees. Stupid fake money that makes you look like you have 'fat stacks' but in reality it's about $4.55 in real money.

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

I remember Harls once saying how much he loved the CT logo (jk)

And that stupid female private parts logo.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by harls

Fucking Canadian Tire. Useless, clueless teen employees.

Why hate the young, min wage employees?

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Why hate the young, min wage employees?

Yeah, they aren't any worse than teenaged employees in any other business.

The main problem at CT is that there aren't enough of them and so there is never one around when you need them.

[theman23]

Originally Posted by casper

I would agree. WhiteSpot is predictable. The food is good, but not spectacular. It is also everywhere.

For me the pre-Covid breakfast has to be the chorizo and goat cheese omelet. I am disappointed it has not returned yet. During COVID they switch to a simpler menu. I have had to compromise and go with the Denver omelet.

Dinner/lunch is either burger or the fish and chips. I could be persuaded to do the beef team.

They also have the mini-WhiteSpots called Triple-O's that are usually co-located with Chevron stations. Those are just really good burgers.

Triple Os is fine and generally a better experience than White Spot, mostly because the price is lower and expectations are too. The Monty Mushroom burger is pretty good.

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Wow, I disagree. Decent value for a family going out to a sit down restaurant. Predictable quality, menu is varied enough.

It's not usually my first choice, but it's a reliable one.

To each their own. If I'm spending $20 for a burger/fries (drink and tip extra!), it won't be at WhiteSpot.

[lio45]

Originally Posted by le calmar

The Canadian Tire the one above will replace is just 5 min away from the new location and it has an escalator just for carts too. It has a strange layout.

This Canadian Tire in Shawville is the oldest and smallest I’ve ever seen.

Did you get to know the one in Coaticook, or it was closed already when you worked there?

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by JustForTheHalibut

I'm surprised no one has mentioned OEB Breakfast Co.

It's an American restaurant chain, I think, that has locations in Kelowna and several in lower mainland. Best breakfast from a chain restaurant.

https://eatoeb.com/

OEB is really nice, I've been to the Yaletown location a few times. Spendy though.

[le calmar]

Originally Posted by lio45

Did you get to know the one in Coaticook, or it was closed already when you worked there?

I’ve never been to that one. From I see, that location was not franchised and the chain just decided to shut it down on a two week notice.

[JustForTheHalibut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

OEB is really nice, I've been to the Yaletown location a few times. Spendy though.

I've never been disappointed with OEB.

The Yaletown OEB must be fairly new, didn't even know they had one.
I use to go to Elbow Room on Davie Street in Yaletown.
Breakfast was good for the price and the banter with the owners was always a hoot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOK_LDF6G-g

[MolsonExport]

White Spot burgers are pretty good. I enjoyed them during my BC days. I noticed that BC was completely bereft of Harvey's. Every year, there seems to be fewer and fewer Harvey's locations.

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by lio45

Did you get to know the one in Coaticook, or it was closed already when you worked there?

The new super CT stores have that second floor and cart escalators. But try to put your wife and her wheel chair on it and they get pissed.


As for the White spot burgers its been years since we do not have a lot of them in Alberta. And Harveys is disappearing here as well. Lots of Fat Burger, Five Guys and Smash Burger places though. Last Burger for me was A&W teen. and in small town Alberta Burger Baron.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by JustForTheHalibut

I've never been disappointed with OEB.

The Yaletown OEB must be fairly new, didn't even know they had one.
I use to go to Elbow Room on Davie Street in Yaletown.
Breakfast was good for the price and the banter with the owners was always a hoot.

Yaletown was the first one in BC I believe. It's on Marinaside and Davie.

Elbow Room was fun for sure.