General Retail News

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by m3i6

Apparently I won’t be shopping at Simons because I’ve been assured that they do not carry tweed jackets with suede elbow patches.

If you wait long enough they will come back in style!

[eternallyme]

Any Quebec-based businesses trying to target Franco-Ontariens primarily would be best placed in the east end, which is most bilingual.

[toaster]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Any Quebec-based businesses trying to target Franco-Ontariens primarily would be best placed in the east end, which is most bilingual.

Yeah. I still think St-Laurent would have been the best location, but that fell through. Plus, launching in Edmonton shows that they aren't focusing solely on the French market. Place D'Orleans is dead space, and would be worse than the Promenades location, IMO.

[J.OT13]

Les Promenades is no doubt an excelent location. I don't know what the monitary figures are ($/sqft) but the place is always packed. Having a high school across the street also helps.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Any Quebec-based businesses trying to target Franco-Ontariens primarily would be best placed in the east end, which is most bilingual.

You are right about east-west demographics but francophone Ottawa is about 125,000 people. That's not big enough for a primary market for a store like Simons. And even if the francophone market was your goal, why go for Franco-Ontarians first when the Gatineau market offers more than twice as many French speakers?

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by toaster

Place D'Orleans is dead space, and would be worse than the Promenades location, IMO.

The Promenades location is an excellent location for a Simons and offers the company low-hanging fruit with the same demographics as everywhere else the chain has been successful in Quebec.

Place d'Orleans would not be very good for a number of reasons although it might help revitalize the mall. Anyway, one big problem is that if Orleans had the only Simons in Ottawa-Gatineau it is way too far from the ''gravy'' secondary market that is the Quebec side of the river. I am surprised at how many people in Gatineau don't even know there is a big mall in Orleans.

If they were to opt for an Ontario location either Rideau or St. Laurent would be the best locations. Roughly equivalent. Both are as prestigious and fashionable as Bayshore, plus they are in the shopping mindspace of people in Gatineau and have more Franco-Ontarians in the immediate vicinity.

Bayshore and Place d'Orleans are probably the two worst locations among the region's bigger malls.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by toaster

Plus, launching in Edmonton shows that they aren't focusing solely on the French market. O.

I think you are right. At least part of this expansion is about expanding from the francophone Quebec client base into English-speaking Canada. This is why when they first started looking at Ottawa-Gatineau it was all about Rideau and St Laurent. Gatineau was not a serious contender. Had they had a deal with either of the Ottawa malls that is where the store would have gone.

But no deals were possible and in the meantime Les Promenades was improving steadily and then got a new owner (Oxford) that is going to embark on a huge renovation to make it a more prestigious mall.

Gatineau is being seriously considered (some say it is close to a done deal) at the moment because Simons have probably now realized it would likely be a sure thing business-wise.

[eternallyme]

I definitely agree St. Laurent would have been best for Simons, since it could aim for both markets while being closer to the Franco-Ontarien market as well.

Place d'Orleans should be completely redeveloped IMO into a mixed-use urban core.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I think you are right. At least part of this expansion is about expanding from the francophone Quebec client base into English-speaking Canada. This is why when they first started looking at Ottawa-Gatineau it was all about Rideau and St Laurent. Gatineau was not a serious contender. Had they had a deal with either of the Ottawa malls that is where the store would have gone.

But no deals were possible and in the meantime Les Promenades was improving steadily and then got a new owner (Oxford) that is going to embark on a huge renovation to make it a more prestigious mall.

Gatineau is being seriously considered (some say it is close to a done deal) at the moment because Simons have probably now realized it would likely be a sure thing business-wise.

That would at least give Ottawa shoppers a reason to cross the river, something that doesn't happen much at present. I must say I've driven past the Promenades mall a thousand times over the years (if I'm correct that it's the one beside the highway), but it has never occurred to me to shop there.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

That would at least give Ottawa shoppers a reason to cross the river, something that doesn't happen much at present. I must say I've driven past the Promenades mall a thousand times over the years (if I'm correct that it's the one beside the highway), but it has never occurred to me to shop there.

Les Promenades de l'Outaouais is not on the main autoroute (50), it is on Maloney which is highway 148, the old highway which is a sprawly suburban boulevard. It does have a fairly large Ontario clientele that frequents its Costco store for cheap beer. I suspect the vast majority of these people rarely venture into the rest of the mall.

The only mall on this side of the river that is along an autoroute is Les Galeries de Hull which is along the 5 where the highway is recessed in a rock cut. Les Galeries is on the left (west) side and the casino is on the right (west) side.

[Kitchissippi]

As spotted on another thread, there are possible hints to the Rideau Centre expansion

Originally Posted by J.OT13

For Rideau Station near the end (page 79), we can see parts of the Rideau Expansion plans.

Looking at the details, a few got me curious: gone is the internal escalator in the Forever21 store as well as, it seems, the external doors. I wonder if they will be moved down closer to William Street. The drawing shows two stores in the expansion with internal escalators:

[c_speed3108]

New Food trucks and carts:

Street food diversity added to the menu this spring
Ottawa – Beginning in May, Ottawa will welcome 18 new and exciting food choices to the city’s streets. Following on the City’s commitment to promote small business opportunities in the local community, these new trucks and carts will increase street food vendor options for residents and tourists alike.

“Ottawa will have a full range of street food options from appetizers to desserts,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “Regardless of your culinary preference, there will be new options for you to discover from Ottawa’s enhanced street food scene!”

Last fall, City Council approved the New Street Food Vending Program that provided for the opening of up to 20 spaces for new and diversified menus. A total of 61 applications were received and reviewed by a selection panel. These new options are in addition to the existing 44 licensed truck and cart food vendors.

“Food vendors can be so much more than their current stereotypes,” said Councillor Mark Taylor, Chair of the Community and Protective Services Committee. “I’m thrilled to see these diverse and interesting options added to Ottawa’s great existing food culture.”

The volunteer selection panel that reviewed the applications was made up of five members representing the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA), Ottawa Branch of the Canadian Culinary Federation, Savour Ottawa, Just Food and Ottawa Public Health. Vendors were chosen based on the proposed menu, business plan, level of vendor experience and the overall contribution to Ottawa’s street food scene.

The City of Ottawa is pleased to announce the following successful applicants:

Trucks

Benjamin Baird: Ottawa “Streat” Gourmet – Fresh, local and seasonal ever-changing menu – North side of Queen, west of O’Connor
Layne Belcher and Mathew Hinds: Urban Cowboy – Texan street food – East side of Bank, north of Glen
Peter G. Bowen: Health conscious foodie friendly locally sourced cuisine – East side of Olmstead, south of Montreal Rd.
Mario Burke: Ad Mare – Fish and seafood – South side of Slater, east of O’Connor
Steven Dupras & Glen Galbraith: TURN rotisserie + kitchen: Turn yourself on to Ottawa’s best food truck! – North side of Argyle, east of O’Connor
Mathew Gregoire & York Entertainment: Ragin’ Cajun – West side of Bank, north of Clemow
Jacqueline Jolliffe: Stone Soup Foodworks – Creative blend of local soups, tacos and sandwiches – East side of Spadina, north of Wellington
Jake Thomas: Dosa Inc. – South Indian crepes – South side of Somerset, west of Lyon
Jason Tran: Chow Down – Asia snacks and meals – North side of Byron at Woodroffe
Kin Tran: Asian-Fusion with a twist – North side of Gloucester, east of Lyon
Tim Van Dyke: LUNCH – Fresh and local ingredients in wholesome soups, salads and sandwiches – North side of Albert, east of Lyon
Carts

Wasi Choudhry: Olive Green – The South Asian food experience – location to be confirmed.
Rodney Cummings: Royi Fruta Bar – Baked empanadas and fruit drinks – East side of Elgin, north of Laurier
Gavin Hall: BOBITES: Best Organic Bites – Organic baked potatoes with seasonal toppings – East side of Metcalfe, south of Sparks
Tarek Hassan: Gongfu Bao – Chinese steamed Asian buns –East side of Elgin, south of Slater
Hana Jung: Roan Kitchen – Authentic Korean cuisine – West side of Bank between Albert & Slater
Brian Nolan: SPOON – frozen yogurt – East side of O’Connor, south of Sparks
Ulises Ortega: Churritos – Churro (traditional Mexican treats) – West side of O’Connor, south of Sparks
The 2013 street food season will be officially launched in May. For more information on the Street Food Vending Program, please visit ottawa.ca.

-30-

For more information:
Media contact
613-580-2450

Public inquiries:

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[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

As spotted on another thread, there are possible hints to the Rideau Centre expansion



Looking at the details, a few got me curious: gone is the internal escalator in the Forever21 store as well as, it seems, the external doors. I wonder if they will be moved down closer to William Street. The drawing shows two stores in the expansion with internal escalators:

A few different theories. Maybe the Forever 21 doors are blocked by the subway escalators (as in the drawing of the subway escalators is superimposed on the F21 doors), but that may or may not explain the F21 escalators. But I'm not sure where those are in real life.

I don't think the station escalators would affect F21, they have more than enough space to pass under the store.

Another theory might be that they superimposed the subway station on 2006 expansion plans, which was drafted before F21 moved in.

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by c_speed3108

New Food trucks and carts:

It would be good if the City had an interactive website or app to help people find these food trucks.

[Capital Shaun]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

A few different theories. Maybe the Forever 21 doors are blocked by the subway escalators (as in the drawing of the subway escalators is superimposed on the F21 doors), but that may or may not explain the F21 escalators. But I'm not sure where those are in real life.

I don't think the station escalators would affect F21, they have more than enough space to pass under the store.

Another theory might be that they superimposed the subway station on 2006 expansion plans, which was drafted before F21 moved in.

To me it looks like those escalators are bellow the sidewalk & Forever 21 so it shouldn't affect them. The orange parts of the drawing appear to be what is at 'street' level and what is blue is underground.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Les Promenades de l'Outaouais is not on the main autoroute (50), it is on Maloney which is highway 148, the old highway which is a sprawly suburban boulevard. It does have a fairly large Ontario clientele that frequents its Costco store for cheap beer. I suspect the vast majority of these people rarely venture into the rest of the mall.

The only mall on this side of the river that is along an autoroute is Les Galeries de Hull which is along the 5 where the highway is recessed in a rock cut. Les Galeries is on the left (west) side and the casino is on the right (west) side.

That is the one I was referring to. I would then have no idea where the Promenades mall is (148? Maloney?).

[Requin]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

It would be good if the City had an interactive website or app to help people find these food trucks.

Looks like someone took the initiative:
https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msa=0...6&source=embed

Linked from this CBC article:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa...en-in-may.html

[p_xavier]

Originally Posted by Acajack

You are right about east-west demographics but francophone Ottawa is about 125,000 people. That's not big enough for a primary market for a store like Simons. And even if the francophone market was your goal, why go for Franco-Ontarians first when the Gatineau market offers more than twice as many French speakers?

The Sherbrooke store is doing great for approx. the same population.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by d_jeffrey

The Sherbrooke store is doing great for approx. the same population.

That's a good point. I don't think Simons in Ottawa (downtown or east end) is necessarily a bad idea, and I don't think I ever really said that.

I just think it would be dumb for Simons to snub Gatineau.

Saying "Simons wouldn't work in Gatineau, they should go to Ottawa instead" is dumb, and the Sherbrooke example actually supports the logic of a Gatineau store quite strongly. (Since Gatineau is much larger and is also richer than Sherbrooke, and has similar demographics.)

Ottawa francophones are not dissimilar to Québécois of course, but there are some differences that make it a slightly different market. (Plus all the other people there who aren't francophones that you also want to capitalize on.)

To me, central or eastern Ottawa is a great idea, but Gatineau is really a no-brainer.

[AuxTown]

I would love to see Simmons in the old Ogilvy spot (complete with intact fascade) as part of the expansion. That plus H&M would bring a ton of activity to a very underused stretch of Rideau. Every time I'm down there I can't help but think that the expansion can't happen soon enough. It's a whole city block in an unbelievably prime location currently used for panhandlers and a dilapidated bus stop.