Downtown Update

[matt602]

So that's why I saw them in front of Jackson. Was really weird.

[emge]

From what I could see this morning, it appears the construction beside Delta Bingo (it's between the Bingo Hall and the convenience/thrift stores) is going to be a GrandDad's Donuts -- there's doors from the building to the bingo hall and to the street, and there's a GrandDad's sign on the window above the doors to the bingo hall.

[matt602]

Interesting. I'm surprised they are expanding. I guess their James North store is doing well.

[emge]

They have a GrandDad's store in St. Catharines right by my parents' house, opened a year or two ago - it used to be a Donut Diner. Irony of ironies that I move to Hamilton and one opens up closer to my old house than my new one...

It's not a bad addition... to that stretch, it's definitely an improvement.. and their donuts are certainly an improvement over Tim's!

[matt602]

I've honestly never been because that part of James North is usually out of my way. I'm always downtown though, so I'm sure a visit is in my future. It's always good to have alternatives to the Horton empire.

[SteelTown]

I'm sure they'll do great in the core, wouldn't be surprised if there would be a line up in the mornings. Hamilton do love their donuts.

[jgrwatson]

Yay!

Something new in the core - something decent beside the bingohall!

RE: "Buisness doing well"

I have colleagues at work who come from the mountain, down to James N, just to get donuts for meetings!

It should do well.

[FairHamilton]

Unfortunately, not positive news.

I got word this evening the TD at Hughson is closing in November, consolidating with the Jackson Square branch.

[matt602]

I always thought it was weird that they operated two branches within such close proximity.

[drpgq]

Originally Posted by FairHamilton

Unfortunately, not positive news.

I got word this evening the TD at Hughson is closing in November, consolidating with the Jackson Square branch.

That sucks. I use that branch all the time.

[Millstone]

How about this downtown update, a watermain broke on Rebecca between Hughson and John about 6 hours ago and I still have no water. :|

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by matt602

I always thought it was weird that they operated two branches within such close proximity.

Since I'm still relatively new to Hamilton so I'm not sure, but I'm willing to guess one was a Canada Trust legacy branch (likely). They had to keep them open for so long before closing (consolidating), as part of the purchase of Canada Trust.

They did the same with the legacy Canada Trust and TD branches in my mother's neighbourhood last year.

It's disappointing because that is the branch I use most frequently. Hopefully the corner unit is not empty for too long.

[Jon Dalton]

The old Canada Trust in Barrie became a coffee shop recently. Maybe we could get so lucky.

[Jon Dalton]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

Something finally opened in the Claudias building, a thrift store. It's called Magical Mystery Store. They have records, clothes and assorted junk. Mostly garbage, but they did only just open. If you have anything to get rid of, please take it there instead of Value, which is just another big box. I can't see this place possibly making rent in this location, but more power to them for trying.

Closed last week.

[matt602]

Originally Posted by FairHamilton

Since I'm still relatively new to Hamilton so I'm not sure, but I'm willing to guess one was a Canada Trust legacy branch (likely). They had to keep them open for so long before closing (consolidating), as part of the purchase of Canada Trust.

They did the same with the legacy Canada Trust and TD branches in my mother's neighbourhood last year.

It's disappointing because that is the branch I use most frequently. Hopefully the corner unit is not empty for too long.

You're right, it was a Canada Trust before. I still didn't see the sense of operating both branches at the same time, I figured it would just be easier to merge everything into the one branch right from the time the company's merged.

[omro]

In a lot british cities, when the downtown branches closed, the old buildings became pubs, winebars, restaurants, etc.

[thistleclub]

Originally Posted by omro

In a lot british cities, when the downtown branches closed, the old buildings became pubs, winebars, restaurants, etc.

And when the pubs close down?

[matt602]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

And when the pubs close down?

I don't think that happens in the UK.

[emge]

There's a residential building on the west side of Victoria (north of Wilson? around that area) that's been undergoing slow, slow renovation for the past couple years. It still had a flat roof on it through the whole thing, but when I went past it a couple weeks ago, it now has a sloped shingled roof on it and dormers. I still don't know what's happening with it but it looks good.

[Millstone]

Victoria between Wilson and Barton is really a gem... with 4 lanes of one-way traffic dividing it.