Claridge Moon/Skye [340 Queen St] | 84.4 m (x2) | 27 fl (x2) | U/C

[Davis137]

I know about that one, but that's in the market...I meant more in the vicinity of where all of the new towers are going up west of the CBD and the Bronson/Pimisi peninsula area.

Not everyone has Rockstar dollars for groceries or home essentials, and a retailer like GT would provide another option...

[NOWINYOW]

Originally Posted by Davis137

Not everyone has Rockstar dollars for groceries or home essentials, and a retailer like GT would provide another option...

Agreed. With all the condos in that area, a GT with more emphasis on groceries and home hardware and less emphasis on clothing, I think it could do quite well.

[Norman Bates]

I like that little urban IGA on Burrard in Vancouver.

[ServiceGuy]

Had a look in the windows on my way to an appointment and ground floor has been completely cleaned out. Construction worker outside having a smoke said he she heard it was going to be Food Basics moving in which would make sense for that location. No signage that I could see though.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by ServiceGuy

Had a look in the windows on my way to an appointment and ground floor has been completely cleaned out. Construction worker outside having a smoke said he she heard it was going to be Food Basics moving in which would make sense for that location. No signage that I could see though.

We've heard Farm Boy, Metro and now Food Basics? Food Basics is a subsidiary of Metro, so they could have decided to change the brand.

[ogbenp]

I live in this building and have noticed that the door connecting one of our stairwells to the retail space is always unlocked, sometimes even fully open, so I may walk in and see if I can spot any more clues. No signs saying do not enter so I can play dumb if caught

[ServiceGuy]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

We've heard Farm Boy, Metro and now Food Basics? Food Basics is a subsidiary of Metro, so they could have decided to change the brand.

My wife is a far better expert on groceries but my understanding is that the Food Basics branding is a little more aggressive on pricing and generally has slightly smaller stores. It looks like a large space completely empty but it won't be a huge store once fitted up. Given all the current and up coming local rentals, one of the busiest STO transfer points, and one of the busiest LRT stations it makes sense to go for price point reputation given all the pricing complaints about the other couple downtown stores. Parking set up seems odd. Main pedestrian entrance is on Queen but the garage entrance is on Albert. Assuming some parking will be for the store similar to Farm Boy on Metcalfe.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by ServiceGuy

My wife is a far better expert on groceries but my understanding is that the Food Basics branding is a little more aggressive on pricing and generally has slightly smaller stores. It looks like a large space completely empty but it won't be a huge store once fitted up. Given all the current and up coming local rentals, one of the busiest STO transfer points, and one of the busiest LRT stations it makes sense to go for price point reputation given all the pricing complaints about the other couple downtown stores. Parking set up seems odd. Main pedestrian entrance is on Queen but the garage entrance is on Albert. Assuming some parking will be for the store similar to Farm Boy on Metcalfe.

Good points. Food Basics, while not as exciting, is probably the best for the area.

[OTSkyline]

Historically, we haven't really seen discount grocers in downtown areas because of the high rent. So the only grocers you would see downtown are Loblaw's, Metro or Sobey's. But with the growth of discount banners many of these company's are growing their number of discount stores and even converting some of their stores from conventional to discount banners. So this could well be a Food Basics.

Just like I've recently seen at the Independent Grocers at Bank/Alta Vista. Seems to be renovating and is now painted with yellow accents; almost like its converting to a No Frills.

[ServiceGuy]

With an Independent Grocers at Somerset & Bank and a Farm Boy on Metcafle & Lisgar, I just can't see one of the major brands wanting to come in that close with a flagship type store. There are no Food Basics, Value Mart, No Frills, Freshco anywhere close by that I know of.

[ogbenp]

So quick comment about the parking, I'm not sure if this grocery store will have any dedicated parking for shoppers. The garage on Albert St. is the condo/apartment resident entrance and requires a clicker to get in.

When I moved in last November, the sales rep said that they will probably lease the first two floors of parking to Indigo or some other parking company (apparently tenant parking starts on floor 3), but with the adoption of these new clickers last month, I doubt that will happen.

I'm not familiar with how new apartments tend to work, but I will say the information I've been given about this building is all over the place and seems to run more on rumors than evidence. Growing pains maybe? Or maybe that's just Claridge.

[ServiceGuy]

The remote access can be changed back and forth with the flip of a switch in the control box. I remember way back in the day doing service calls at Tribeca on Metcalfe before the original Sobeys opened that the future paid parking was a free for all if you knew about it. Once Sobeys opened and a pay parking company started to run things they would tow your car within minutes and wanted a second mortgage to get it back. Ask me how I know. LOL I think the parking has likely been planned out from the beginning. It's the changes to the commercial space that keep changing things up. At 20 bucks a day per spot, there is money to be made with two levels of parking even if you have to give shoppers a freebie. I think Sobeys required a certain purchase amount for the free parking to apply but don't remember the amount or how the agreement worked between Sobeys and the parking company.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by ServiceGuy

With an Independent Grocers at Somerset & Bank and a Farm Boy on Metcafle & Lisgar, I just can't see one of the major brands wanting to come in that close with a flagship type store. There are no Food Basics, Value Mart, No Frills, Freshco anywhere close by that I know of.

FreshCo and Food Basics are both in Vanier but that has probably lower rent and bad neighbourhood vibes. They are both more than a little cheaper. Some things are half or less as much. Both lack some of the prepared and higher end food but it's not Walmart you are getting the exact same meat and Veg as their more expensive brands. It will be a great addition if true. I will walk there all the time from the Market.

[ServiceGuy]

I don't think Vanier is a viable location for this area of town however, if one has a walk up condo on the Quebec side and needs to transfer from LRT or Transpo to STO... perfect. Tons of rentals and condos also within blocks. I don't think rotisserie chickens and a lunch buffet is needed. I would want to walk a couple blocks or less for anything needed to make dinner at a reasonable price.

[NOWINYOW]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

And hopefully, as soon as it opens, they'll focus on the Moon grocery store.

A friend who lives close to Moon and is in contact with a few real estate agents says the latest rumour for Moon is it will be a Food Basics. I sort of doubt that, but who knows!

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by NOWINYOW

A friend who lives close to Moon and is in contact with a few real estate agents says the latest rumour for Moon is it will be a Food Basics. I sort of doubt that, but who knows!

Not the first time we hear that. Service Guy heard the same last month. Would probably be a good, offering a more affordable option over Farm Boy, PC and Metro.

Food Basics would also be fitting for a basic Claridge development.

[Harley613]

I bet Food Basics would be just a lil' cheaper than the ol' Slater Street Market

[Fraser]

As someone living in the immediate area - and without a car - I’d be pretty disappointed with a Food Basics. I was hoping for something a little “higher end”.

[OTSkyline]

Originally Posted by Fraser

As someone living in the immediate area - and without a car - I’d be pretty disappointed with a Food Basics. I was hoping for something a little “higher end”.

Why? There's higher end options in the area already including the Independant on Bank and the Farmboy on Metcalfe. I bet the residents of downtown would appreciate a discount grocer much more. Living downtown shouldn't mean you have to drive to the burbs to save money on groceries. The closest discount grocer downtown would be Food Basics on Kirkwood or St-Laurent at the moment (or Walmart Trainyards).

[harls]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

The closest discount grocer downtown would be Food Basics on Kirkwood or St-Laurent at the moment (or Walmart Trainyards).

Or Maxi on St. Joseph.