[Saint John] Retail Thread - Page 67

JHikka · #**1321** Posted **Jul 26, 2022, 7:47 PM**

I mean, if we're throwing around potential ideas for BS, there's nothing stopping UNB from throwing around some coin and moving more lectures and offices Uptown.

Entirely wishful thinking, though.

ColSJ · #**1322** Posted **Jul 26, 2022, 7:59 PM**

CBC confirmed the 3-mile property is going to be turned into a strip mall with a restaurant and we are 99% sure that restaurant is Popeyes.

darkharbour · #**1323** Posted **Jul 27, 2022, 2:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Massive reconfiguration, but there's plenty of floor space. I can't imagine a connection through the second floor would be an issue. Just wall or glass it off.

It's so much cheaper to repurpose than build new, it's not even funny. Even taking it to the studs, which probably doesn't need to happen, would be cheaper.

Caveat is I know zilch about museum construction, lol. But common sense dictates the top-level economics here, plus having a provincial museum dominate King Street instead of a vacant mall would be awesome.

And to your other point, has a single tenant moved and stayed uptown other than Paddington Station and the running shoe shop that just relocated to the Admiral Beatty? Absolutely brutal. Are they all just waiting out their leases? The decline of Deluxe from an NB institution to becoming little more than redevelopment sites is another story.

Museums have very specific requirements for consistency in ventilation, light exposure, temperature and humidity control, fire suppression, etc. which are all reasons that the current facilities are so poor, because those things are either broken, inadequate, or non-existent. Not to mention all the research and lab space the natural sciences work at the NBM requires.

I’m not saying BS couldn’t work with enough money thrown at it, but at that point building new is probably a far better option because you can design for the institutional requirements, not waste resources trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Pugsley · #**1324** Posted **Jul 27, 2022, 1:02 PM**

I don't understand why they haven't simply reduced the number of stores in Brunswick Square and moved it towards larger big box destination stores. It has ample parking, is centrally located, and it isn't like getting there is a hassle for anyone with a car. They did this with the old sections of the annex that connect Eaton Centre in Toronto. An anchor like a movie theatre could also make it a great destination for dinner locally then a movie.

Instead of a bunch of smaller boutiques, you could easily fit in some of these mid-sized retailers and some chain restaurants:

LL Bean
Winners
Bed Bath & Beyond
Structube
Goodlife Fitness

...and restaurants...

Moxies
Milestones
The Keg
Jack Astors

With maybe a Cineplex or Guzzo Movie Theater on the top floors?

Point being, there should be an opportunity for it to still be a mall, just make it more of a destination to bring people to Uptown.

DyAm00394 · #**1325** Posted **Jul 27, 2022, 2:11 PM**

Popeyes has officially confirmed that the rumors are true. They plan to be open in 2023 at the former 3 Mile property on the east side.

https://www.country94.ca/2022/07/27/pope...1j2Bpy0QPjc2pMPLrhg8baz7oULUjMOMgwn-eQ1w

Update: The article was updated. The company says it's opening in 2023, not by the end of this year like originally stated.

bridgeoftea · #**1326** Posted **Jul 27, 2022, 5:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pugsley

I don't understand why they haven't simply reduced the number of stores in Brunswick Square and moved it towards larger big box destination stores. It has ample parking, is centrally located, and it isn't like getting there is a hassle for anyone with a car. They did this with the old sections of the annex that connect Eaton Centre in Toronto. An anchor like a movie theatre could also make it a great destination for dinner locally then a movie.

Instead of a bunch of smaller boutiques, you could easily fit in some of these mid-sized retailers and some chain restaurants:

LL Bean
Winners
Bed Bath & Beyond
Structube
Goodlife Fitness

...and restaurants...

Moxies
Milestones
The Keg
Jack Astors

With maybe a Cineplex or Guzzo Movie Theater on the top floors?

Point being, there should be an opportunity for it to still be a mall, just make it more of a destination to bring people to Uptown.

See I am of the total opposite that they should be utilizing Brunswick Square better than they are. It's a center piece of uptown. There's a parkade literally attached.
If they reduced the rent and put in all those stores you just listed and milestones and a mexis or something would be awesome.

I'm always against creating more box store parking lots. When I think of going out for dinner, I'd rather go uptown than to a parking lot on the east side.

MonctonRad · #**1327** Posted **Jul 27, 2022, 5:58 PM**

Not sure about the box stores (I think they generally belong in the suburbs).

A downtown grocery store could occupy some of the space. I like the idea of a restaurant cluster and, this would have good synergy with a downtown cinema complex.

bridgeoftea · #**1328** Posted **Jul 27, 2022, 6:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Not sure about the box stores (I think they generally belong in the suburbs).

A downtown grocery store could occupy some of the space. I like the idea of a restaurant cluster and, this would have good synergy with a downtown cinema complex.

Yeah, I get that you need some places that are more car centric and near the suburbs. But not very often do you have a multi level shopping space, next to an uptown core that also leads to an arena for events underground.

To me it kills the whole atmosphere and "vibe" of going out to a restaurant.

I agree on the grocery store uptown. Hell turn Brunswick Square into the largest Imax screen in Atlantic Canada lol.

JHikka · #**1329** Posted **Jul 27, 2022, 6:07 PM**

Big box stores are not conducive to urban environments. There's a good reason why there are no urban Costco stores. Customers need parking for their massive purchases so they can fit them in their massive cars.

Hell, Toronto only just got an urban format IKEA downtown, and larger items cannot be purchased at the store - they can only be ordered and delivered from one of their larger suburban stores. And there's no on-site parking.

The entire department store era of retail is well and truly dead. Devoting BS to a handful of outdated department anchors seems like a recipe for disappointment equivalent to its current state.

Local stores and tenants would be far more interesting than boring suburban franchise chains. I'd take forty local independent theatres over a single Cineplex in the Uptown. I'd take a hundred Reggie's (RIP) over a single Jack Astor's at BS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

I agree on the grocery store uptown. Hell turn Brunswick Square into the largest Imax screen in Atlantic Canada lol.

Sigh.

ColSJ · #**1330** Posted **Jul 27, 2022, 7:14 PM**

Anytime the redevelopment of BS comes up I think of Columbus Centre in Manhatten. At the bottom of the complex is multiple levels of commercial space with a big open entry way. Lots of glass and very modern looking. If I remember correctly there was or still is a grocery store on the bottom floor. If you look up pictures you’ll get to see what I’m talking about. That’s my dream for BS and is nothing more than a dream.

DyAm00394 · #**1331** Posted **Jul 28, 2022, 1:06 AM**

According to Google, Sephora opens on Friday, August 12th at McAllister Place.

DyAm00394 · #**1332** Posted **Jul 29, 2022, 8:14 PM**

Steele Auto Group has announced on social media yesterday that something BIG is coming to Saint John, NB. Wonder if it's a brand new dealership coming to the city?

Quote:

"��Something BIG is coming to Saint John, NB!��
Stay tuned!
#steeleautogroup #steeleadvantagefinancing"

https://www.facebook.com/steeleautogroup/photos/a.1995058303857800/5698466780183582

MonctonRad · #**1333** Posted **Jul 30, 2022, 2:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Steele Auto Group has announced on social media yesterday that something BIG is coming to Saint John, NB. Wonder if it's a brand new dealership coming to the city?

https://www.facebook.com/steeleautogroup/photos/a.1995058303857800/5698466780183582

I would bet on All EV. There is an existing dealership in Freddy, and they just announced one for Moncton. I imagine SJ will be next.

gtsoc · #**1334** Posted **Jul 30, 2022, 4:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Steele Auto Group has announced on social media yesterday that something BIG is coming to Saint John, NB. Wonder if it's a brand new dealership coming to the city?

https://www.facebook.com/steeleautogroup/photos/a.1995058303857800/5698466780183582

They're trucking in all used cars from each of their dealerships in NB for a big used car sale at Exhibition Park Raceway.

ivegotaname · #**1335** Posted **Aug 2, 2022, 1:36 AM**

Where did Jaco's go after closing on Churchill Blvd ?

DyAm00394 · #**1336** Posted **Aug 2, 2022, 1:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivegotaname

Where did Jaco's go after closing on Churchill Blvd ?

I think it just full on closed, (didn't reopen anywhere else). Naan-ya Business is supposed to be continuing Jaco's menu, as well as adding Pakistani dishes.

DyAm00394 · #**1337** Posted **Aug 3, 2022, 1:45 PM**

The construction hoarding is down for Sephora at McAllister Place. Grand opening is next Friday, August.12th. This is the largest store in NB, (over 4,000sq.ft).

DyAm00394 · #**1338** Posted **Aug 5, 2022, 1:09 PM**

The Nest Yoga and retail boutique is opening soon at 22 King Street. They aim to open in September/October. https://www.thenestyoga.ca

DyAm00394 · #**1339** Posted **Aug 8, 2022, 4:52 PM**

Sephora is now open at McAllister Place. I guess August 12th is just the official grand opening date/event.

DyAm00394 · #**1340** Posted **Aug 9, 2022, 1:17 PM**

There's a online job listing for a new Cannabis NB store opening in the west side area. This will be the 4th location in the city.

Source: https://www.glassdoor.ca/job-listing/ass...zo3_YLNGElK0y7Bh-xA8B7mf6e1zz3GLNfjsvXtw

EDIT: It will be located at Fairville Blvd Plaza, next to First Choice Haircutters. (20 Plaza Avenue). There are signs in the window saying "coming soon".