Canadian Retail Thread - Page 164

flipv · #**3261** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 8:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Maybe not but this is an exceptional case, and the fact there are few vacant storefronts along any of them suggests they are indeed very vibrant urban shopping streets.

They indeed are... Yorkville as a whole (including the Bloor St. strip) is (and I'm not afraid to say it) probably the best shopping district in the country.

It has a bit of everything.

Acajack · #**3262** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 9:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipv

They indeed are... Yorkville as a whole (including the Bloor St. strip) is (and I'm not afraid to say it) probably the best shopping district in the country.

It has a bit of everything.

OK, so then what's the point of arguing that cold climate cities can't have vibrant outdoor shopping streets?

flipv · #**3263** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 9:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

OK, so then what's the point of arguing that cold climate cities can't have vibrant outdoor shopping streets?

I thought we were talking about outdoor malls... Shops at Don Mills type thing...

Acajack · #**3264** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 9:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipv

I thought we were talking about outdoor malls... Shops at Don Mills type thing...

Pretty much the same weather as on Yorkville Ave. I'd say!

SpongeG · #**3265** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 9:42 PM**

when it comes to shopping as in i need to go get something i will go to a mall, free easy parking is the number one choice

when it comes to browsing and perhaps i will buy something i like to go downtown to robson street etc. and when doing that i limit myself to what i can carry or slip in my messenger bag.

its just more convenient to go to a mall and shop, there aren't that many stores downtown that aren't in malls already

miketoronto · #**3266** Posted **Jan 21, 2014, 9:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

its just more convenient to go to a mall and shop, there aren't that many stores downtown that aren't in malls already

That is why downtown has to keep reinventing itself and getting shops that can't be found in the suburbs or other malls, in addition to having the chains.

Not just downtown, but all the unique inner city shopping strips need to ensure they are different. Right now we are seeing too many of them turn into nothing but strips full of chain shops that you can find anywhere. And sooner or latter that will lead to them not being places people go to.

J.OT13 · #**3267** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 3:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Policy Wonk

The issue with the Calgary store is it is actually three different buildings built over the course of forty years stitched together behind the facade and the original structure was built to accommodate an additional four floors of high density warehousing and could probably contain a nuclear blast. This isn't a day to day problem, but it does limit what can be done in terms of interior renovations. It is not and will never be a modern department store.

Again, same can be said of any early 20th century department store. All of them were built smaller with the idea of expanding in the future. I don't have the detailed expansion history of all of them, but they've all expanded vertically and horizontally over the years and most never reached their full "potential" in terms of size.

The best example of expansion might be le Complexe Les Ailes in Montréal. Originally built by the Eaton's department store in 1925, three floors were added in 1930-31, an expansion towards Maisonneuve was built in 1958-59 and it was connected to the Montreal Metro in 1967.

Anyway, as far as I know, the work on the Toronto and Vancouver stores were done around the existing historic structures. It's just a matter of dressing up the massive columns, avoiding suspended ceilings to maximise ceiling height, so on and so forth.

icetea93 · #**3268** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 4:32 PM**

Italian fashion chain Brandy Melville will be opening stores in Edmonton, Calgary and Halifax this year to go along with stores already in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver

eternallyme · #**3269** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 4:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketoronto

That is why downtown has to keep reinventing itself and getting shops that can't be found in the suburbs or other malls, in addition to having the chains.

Not just downtown, but all the unique inner city shopping strips need to ensure they are different. Right now we are seeing too many of them turn into nothing but strips full of chain shops that you can find anywhere. And sooner or latter that will lead to them not being places people go to.

In many cities, the demographics (or crime rate) downtown makes them unwilling economically to do such, as they would be unable to survive downtown since there is no money there.

MolsonExport · #**3270** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 4:44 PM**

Quote:

That is why downtown has to keep reinventing itself and getting shops that can't be found in the suburbs or other malls, in addition to having the chains

Problem is, downtown is not a person. It is not sentient.

Things do not happen by accident. Only by market forces backed by solid planning and good governance (including various infrastructures).

GreaterMontréal · #**3271** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 4:53 PM**

I go downtown to buy my Davidoff cigars. Sainte-Catherine.

Acajack · #**3272** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 5:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Again, same can be said of any early 20th century department store. All of them were built smaller with the idea of expanding in the future. I don't have the detailed expansion history of all of them, but they've all expanded vertically and horizontally over the years and most never reached their full "potential" in terms of size.

The best example of expansion might be le Complexe Les Ailes in Montréal. Originally built by the Eaton's department store in 1925, three floors were added in 1930-31, an expansion towards Maisonneuve was built in 1958-59 and it was connected to the Montreal Metro in 1967.

.

You made me wonder about the fate of the art-déco Eaton 9e restaurant in that building:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2RWTcbgyRc/Te...B9e%252C%2BE%25CC%2581difice%2BEaton.jpg

SpongeG · #**3273** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 5:08 PM**

i don't know what unique is anymore. i am a gap person, the small boutique stores sell the same brands as everywhere else and usually cost a lot more. nowadays i do 95% of my shopping online anyway.

Martin Mtl · #**3274** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 5:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

You made me wonder about the fate of the art-déco Eaton 9e restaurant in that building:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2RWTcbgyRc/Te...B9e%252C%2BE%25CC%2581difice%2BEaton.jpg

There's nothing happening with the 9e since it closed. Thankfully, the whole restaurant is protected by the Minister of Culture. Nothing can't be touch, not even the dishes and cutlery. Seriously.

Policy Wonk · #**3275** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 7:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Again, same can be said of any early 20th century department store. All of them were built smaller with the idea of expanding in the future. I don't have the detailed expansion history of all of them, but they've all expanded vertically and horizontally over the years and most never reached their full "potential" in terms of size.

There are unique issues to the Calgary location that are limiting to interior renovations, that comes from high inside the company. Take it or leave it.

J.OT13 · #**3276** Posted **Jan 22, 2014, 7:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Policy Wonk

There are unique issues to the Calgary location that are limiting to interior renovations, that comes from high inside the company. Take it or leave it.

Fair enough.

caltrane74 · #**3277** Posted **Jan 23, 2014, 9:37 AM**

Application to demolition the interior of the Eaton Centre Sears Store

Quote:

Application: Building Additions/Alterations Status: Not Started

Location: 1 DUNDAS ST W
TORONTO ON M5G 1Z3

Ward 27: Toronto Centre-Rosedale

Application#: 14 107227 BLD 00 BA Accepted Date: Jan 21, 2014

Project: Retail Store Interior Demolition

Description: To complete interior demolition work to return the existing "Sears" to shell conditions for future tenant fit up.

Retail-Insider · #**3278** Posted **Jan 24, 2014, 6:30 AM**

Upscale Vancouver-based grocery store Urban Fare will open at Calgary's Mount Royal Village:

http://www.retail-insider.com/2014/01/urban-fare-to-open-at-calgarys-mount.html

SignalHillHiker · #**3279** Posted **Jan 26, 2014, 5:39 PM**

Hooters is opening what we believe is its only franchise east of Montreal in St. John's. They're taking over Club One (between New Gower and George streets).

It's a perfect location. It's right above the Sundance, which only hires the hottest guys to please the predominantly 30+ female crowd that goes there. It's connected to Dusk, which I hate (it's pompous, even has a dress code) but is one of the more exclusive clubs in the city. And Club One is already a popular place to drink before clubbing. Could be great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by statbass

I just read a tweet that Club One is closing and opening this spring as a Hooters. BTW, it was @Coast1011

SpongeG · #**3280** Posted **Jan 26, 2014, 11:53 PM**

you're saying hooters could be great?