St. Laurent Shopping Centre - Page 25

stolenottawa · #**481** Posted **Dec 23, 2022, 3:40 PM**

You guys are older than I expected.

I remember the pink walls of the theater in the basement when it was a Cineplex? That's like in the early 90's.

lrt's friend · #**482** Posted **Dec 23, 2022, 3:58 PM**

St. Laurent Odeon theatre started out as a twin theatre. I am not sure when it got renovated into a multi-plex. That can be found with a bit of digging. Click the link to see the entrance to one of the two original theatres.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/10458/photos/237485

jchamoun79 · #**483** Posted **Dec 23, 2022, 6:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

St. Laurent Odeon theatre started out as a twin theatre. I am not sure when it got renovated into a multi-plex.

Based on this other photo from Cinema Treasures, the expanded and remodelled theatre reopened on Christmas Day 1991: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/10458/photos/254086

Acajack · #**484** Posted **Dec 23, 2022, 6:27 PM**

My family lived in Ottawa for a few years in the 70s, and I am almost positive that I saw Santa Claus Conquers the Martians there as a child during that decade.

But what confuses me is that the movie came out several years before I was born.

phil235 · #**485** Posted **Dec 23, 2022, 6:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

My family lived in Ottawa for a few years in the 70s, and I am almost positive that I saw Santa Claus Conquers the Martians there as a child during that decade.

But what confuses me is that the movie came out several years before I was born.

I'm sure that a classic like that one was played every year.

Acajack · #**486** Posted **Dec 23, 2022, 6:35 PM**

Now that I think of it that's probably where I saw the original Star Wars in its first weeks of release in 1977. Everyone applauded thunderously when the Death Star was destroyed.

Norman Bates · #**487** Posted **Dec 23, 2022, 9:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Fantastic story! Thanks for sharing. I do remember the music store with the basement. The fountain you speak of at Freimans, did it remain even after the Bay moved closer to the new addition closer to the Queensway? Was that the same fountain that was around until about 2000?

Thank you for asking this question as it allows me to offer the following precision.

The Frieman’s at St. Laurent had a large fountain in its centre, with an even larger dome overhead. They were placeholders for future escalators to a planned second floor. When Frieman’s was sold to the Hudson’s Bay, The Bay had no immediate intention to open a second sales floor, but did want the extra floor space occupied by the fountain. The fountain was then moved to the Frieman family “mansion” circa 1973.

Although the very large dome remained as an unexpected architectural feature in an otherwise blasé suburban department store ceiling.

Norman Bates · #**488** Posted **Dec 23, 2022, 11:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

OMG you are like a St Laurent historian! Your mother should be proud.

I just got the gag! Riffing off of my riffing! LOL!

MichelKazan · #**489** Posted **Dec 24, 2022, 3:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

Would have been nice if the Toys'r'Us/Urban Behavior was switched out for the nearby Adonis but can't win them all I guess.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Winners move out of that dingy plaza on Donald Street and move into the old Sears instead of Urban Behavior. Could possibly combine it with a Home Sense.

wingman · #**490** Posted **Dec 24, 2022, 3:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichelKazan

I wouldn't mind seeing the Winners move out of that dingy plaza on Donald Street and move into the old Sears instead of Urban Behavior. Could possibly combine it with a Home Sense.

There is a nice Marshalls & HomeSense in Les Promenades that would agree with you. They could go with a bit more square footage at St. Laurent.

Harley613 · #**491** Posted **Dec 26, 2022, 4:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingman

There is a nice Marshalls & HomeSense in Les Promenades that would agree with you. They could go with a bit more square footage at St. Laurent.

That Marshalls/Homesense is the best in the region. The amount of STUFF they have is incredible. I drove from Aylmer to go there often. The one in the Plateau has been half empty since it opened many years ago.

J.OT13 · #**492** Posted **Dec 29, 2022, 9:10 PM**

Some steampunk balloon blasts from the past. And one shot after the last renos for comparison. What a waste.

Balloon models at the St. Laurent Centre. by Steve Brandon, on Flickr

https://twitter.com/twitandrewking/status/1385961568924483587

Balloon models at the St. Laurent Centre. by Steve Brandon, on Flickr

Harley613 · #**493** Posted **Dec 29, 2022, 9:12 PM**

AWESOME!!! I can't believe you found those!

AuxTown · #**494** Posted **Dec 30, 2022, 12:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Now that I think of it that's probably where I saw the original Star Wars in its first weeks of release in 1977. Everyone applauded thunderously when the Death Star was destroyed.

Spoiler alert!!!!

zzptichka · #**495** Posted **Dec 30, 2022, 1:29 AM**

Wonder where those balloons went. I'd pay to get one.

Acajack · #**496** Posted **Dec 30, 2022, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuxTown

Spoiler alert!!!!

Sorry guys!

Guess I shouldn't reveal that Titanic ends with the boat sinking, then?

AuxTown · #**497** Posted **Dec 30, 2022, 3:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Sorry guys!

Guess I shouldn't reveal that Titanic ends with the boat sinking, then?

And the spoilers just keep on coming

Acajack · #**498** Posted **Dec 30, 2022, 4:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuxTown

And the spoilers just keep on coming

Guess I'll stay away from The Crying Game then...

johnnystims · #**499** Posted **Dec 30, 2022, 5:09 PM**

Maybe building a new bus terminal with st.laurent shopping mall would be a fresh new addition to liven up st.laurent. easy access to highway, easy access to LRT, and a mall which would be connected to passengers

Harley613 · #**500** Posted **Dec 30, 2022, 8:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnystims

Maybe building a new bus terminal with st.laurent shopping mall would be a fresh new addition to liven up st.laurent. easy access to highway, easy access to LRT, and a mall which would be connected to passengers

So you add an intersection on Coventry connecting the already existing bus ready ramp going down to the former abandoned Sears distribution centre. You gut the entire warehouse and remove the loading docks. Build out everything necessary for Bus service and ventilation, perhaps a retail concourse. BOOM. Climate controlled underground bus station for peanuts. The old Sears parking garage is there for parking already. Connection to LRT/City Bus station is a short jaunt through the mall, adding enormous value for Morguard and their tenants.

*I used to work in that warehouse, it's enormous and extends under the parking lot where I drew the green lines.