The Retail Thread

[Porfiry]

Originally Posted by lubicon

Over in the Edmonton thread there is discussion about MEC adding a second store at South Edmonton Common and also moving their current store to an even more central location. That would lead me to believe they are looking at two stores in Calgary as well - one central at their current location and the other in a suburban setting. Just speculation on my part however.

This was pretty much foretold in this Vancouver Sun article from last July:
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/M...994/story.html

[A MEC spokesman] said it is considering other new Canadian locations but is not in a position to confirm them now. “In the West, our opportunities now are in Calgary and Edmonton, where we have just one store in each city,” he said.

[lubicon]

Excellent. This location is much easier for me to access although I do enjoy getting DT to the current store for a change of pace from normal life.

[Innersoul1]

I was at Market Mall Yesterday. PCL has a bunch of site offices and construction fencing along with equipment staged on the SW corner of the property surrounding the old Target location. Is there any indication of who is going in there?

[MalcolmTucker]

The Phil's on 14th Street will be moving into the first floor of the Met, according to my server there on the weekend.

[artvandelay]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

The Phil's on 14th Street will be moving into the first floor of the Met, according to my server there on the weekend.

Good news, although you can't beat the parking at the current location. Best value breakfast place in the inner city!

[mersar]

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

I was at Market Mall Yesterday. PCL has a bunch of site offices and construction fencing along with equipment staged on the SW corner of the property surrounding the old Target location. Is there any indication of who is going in there?

Nothing definitive, but I've heard rumors that part of the space is becoming a GoodLife. Other speculation I've found online includes Saks.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by mersar

Nothing definitive, but I've heard rumors that part of the space is becoming a GoodLife. Other speculation I've found online includes Saks.

Goodlife is the new Shoppers.

[Innersoul1]

Originally Posted by mersar

Nothing definitive, but I've heard rumors that part of the space is becoming a GoodLife. Other speculation I've found online includes Saks.

Jeez if it's going to become a GoodLife it might as well become a Lowes. Doesn't add much to the retail market does it? But I suppose given the proximity to the university and density in the surrounding areas it might do well.

The Saks rumour has been going around for a while, but I suspect that Chinook will be the winner with that one.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

Jeez if it's going to become a GoodLife it might as well become a Lowes. Doesn't add much to the retail market does it?

I'd take yoga pants over plumber's crack any day.

[lubicon]

Goodlife might make sense if they are going to (eventually) move out of the Northland Village location.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by lubicon

Goodlife might make sense if they are going to (eventually) move out of the Northland Village location.

Plus it seems to me that Goodlife is very much ok signing short term leases, or leases with option clauses for early termination. Better to have the foot traffic and covering operating costs if you think it would be 2 or 3 years until someone else would be willing to lease the property.

That all being said, I bet Goodlife if it is taking space only takes the top floor, with the lower floor being converted to retail bays.

[simster3]

Does anyone know what is going on in a stall on 10th Ave and 4th Street SW? It is the former Kublai Khan restaurant.

[jlowry24]

It looks like Canadian Tire will be opening in the Mt. Royal Village expansion (8 St/16 Ave SW). Signage went up at the site recently promoting CT and Urban Fare supermarket. That will be a welcome addition to the Beltline.

[DizzyEdge]

That's great, the makeshift hardware/dept store that Super Drug mart had in the basement was a loss 7 or 8 years ago. Although I suppose London Drugs might have covered some of that.

Actually that does mean that London Drugs will have home goods competition right across the street.

[artvandelay]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but ATB and a coffee shop (not sure which chain) are moving into the first floor of Hudson's Block, at the NW corner of Stephen and Centre. This was formerly main floor office space.


http://www.atb.com/campaigns/Pages/S...ue-Centre.aspx

[MalcolmTucker]

So the ATB showcase branch is free to become a station head now?

[artvandelay]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

So the ATB showcase branch is free to become a station head now?

Indeed, ATB is replacing the main branch with this one and the new one in EAP that just opened.

[youngregina]

Sunglass Hut is expanding into Hudsons Bay locations in Southcentre and Chinook. The one is Southcentre Hudsons bay is open already, and the one in Chinook will be open in a few weeks.

[CCF]

In case anyone is curious which tenants are coming to First and Evolution in East Village...

First already welcomed Merle Norman, and the second tenant to open will be a Red Bloom Salon.

In Evolution, they have announced a jeweller, dry cleaner, and Liz and Lottie on the ground floor.

[outoftheice]

To add to this the last small retail bay in First will apparently be a dental office and the developer has told residents that they are targeting a dining option of some kind for the corner retail bay across from Simmons building. Nothing crazy exciting but all essentials for any neighbourhood. The Loblaws/Shopper's Drug Mart in the Riocan development will be game changing for the neighbourhood when it finally opens up!