Winnipeg Retail

[CoryB]

Even with Polo Festival, or whatever it is called, being a private project it would like they would want to announce a major anchor especially one that has a number of potential firsts in Canada. Also, you usually want to use the anchor to bring in other potentinal tenants.

[pegcity]

Any news in regards to Nordstrom and possibly Simons opening up at Polo Park?

[esquire]

Originally Posted by pegcity

Any news in regards to Nordstrom and possibly Simons opening up at Polo Park?

With Biff's news regarding the old Zellers' space being converted into smaller CRUs, I would imagine that the only place one of those department stores could go at Polo Park is into some or all of the Sears space.

It has been reported that Sears is looking to offload space in its urban stores, and Polo Park could be a possibility in that regard. I would imagine that it would be a pretty desirable space to put a mid-to-high-end department store like Nordstrom or Simons, mainly because Polo Park is hands-down the best location in the entire city for one.

The only other realistic location I can think of would be the Wal-Mart or Sears locations at St. Vital, in case either of those stores vacated their present space. It's hard to imagine Nordstrom or Simons going any other place else in Winnipeg.

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by Biff

It is being subdivided into between 20 - 25 retail spaces depending on leasing. Either way there will be a new corridor and two dozen or so new stores.

This makes a lot of sense. Polo Park definitely can fill 20 - 25 more retail spots. I personally hope it includes a second Starbucks or other coffee shop. The Starbucks at the SE corner is ALWAYS a gongshow and I think the mall could easily support two. Whatever, not a big deal.

Anyways, this is it. H&M has to be in the cards through this reno in some fashion (no pun intended).

[armorand93]

I do have one question though - for the new Polo retail addition in Zellers, will we expect the traditional mall setup (walkways on the side, open air space/railings/benches in the middle?) or something radically different?

[CoryB]

The conversion of the former Zeller's space in Polo Park has pretty much killed any chance of Simons, Nordstroms, Saks, or Holt Renfrew opening there unless there is a future expansion which includes a new anchor. The latest rumor making the rounds is that Sears Canada is on the verge of completely exiting the market through a transaction with Macy's/Bloomingdales similar to the deals that brought Walmart and Target to Canada.

As for Simons and potentinally Nordstroms, the Polo Festival/Polo North development is still a possibility but definitely more of a long shot. Seasons of Tuxedo "phase 3" has also seemed like a strong contender to land at least one if not more of these high end anchors. There is also a strong possibility that Nordstrom's Rack, Holt's HR2, Off 5th, the HBC Outlet or other high end outlet store will anchor the purposed outlet mall when/if it ever gets of the ground. If the speculated location of Bishop at Kenaston comes through it would definitely be in the right part of town to attract potentinal customers.

The bigger question at play in all this is if HBC and Sears both go for the high end via acquistions/sales and Target and Walmart are fighting over the low end, who does that leave for the middle and how might a new to Canada enterant establish themselves here.

[CoryB]

There is fresh activity happening at the WestPort Festival site near Camp Manitou Rd and Portage Ave. Nothing too exciting yet but perhaps it is the start of the development.

[1ajs]

[headhorse]

^ the address is 550 Osborne

[Reed Solomon]

Originally Posted by headhorse

^ the address is 550 Osborne

that comes across as a good spot for such a local hardware store. Glad they're doing well.

[headhorse]

Style Bar Boutique (awful name) is having their grand opening tomorrow at 470 River Ave (old Kustom Kulture). website is here: http://www.stylebarboutique.com/

will be a good addition to the village.. it's tough to find men's clothing around there.

[esquire]

I popped into The Bay downtown today to buy a gift, and while I was there I went to take a look at electric shavers on the 4th floor. Turns out that the entire department has been eliminated along with, as far as I can tell, electronics ... in fact, the whole 4th floor is looking very sparse.

At the rate things are shrinking in there, The Bay will be down to two floors by next year, but even that won't be the end of the downsizing. I think it's pretty safe to say that The Bay's days are numbered.

[bomberjet]

^ That's too bad...

On another note. There is an open house at Kildonan Place coming up, the 14th IIRC, for the potential mall expansion (mall proper, not the Shindico thing) and the extension of Reenders.

[Riverman]

Originally Posted by esquire

I think it's pretty safe to say that The Bay's days are numbered.

I used to buy almost everything there - suits, furniture, mattresses, televisions, shoes, everything. It was a great store.

[CoryB]

The Bay in Winnipeg seems to be on life support however Canada wide it is doing fine. The issue is that they are trying to become a luxury department store like Saks 5th Avenue, which they recently purchased, or Holt Renfrew, who attempted and failed and building that market downtown.

I think if someone stepped forward that was willing to take over the downtown Bay store they would gladly hand it over. Just shuttering it completely and letting it rot seems to be a bigger PR hit than they are willing to take so they are instead "keeping the doors open" and letting it rot.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by CoryB

I think if someone stepped forward that was willing to take over the downtown Bay store they would gladly hand it over. Just shuttering it completely and letting it rot seems to be a bigger PR hit than they are willing to take so they are instead "keeping the doors open" and letting it rot.

That does appear to be what they're doing. But the trouble is that The Bay downtown is now so poorly stocked that it's hardly worth the trouble to visit anymore since the odds are slim that they'll have what you're looking for. I used to shop there regularly, but I don't go as often now because it's so poorly stocked... it's a downward spiral.

[cllew]

Every time I walk down to the Bay downtown on my day shift lunch break, it reminds me of Eaton's downtown before it closed.

Broken/ missing floor tiles, paint peeling and main isles that one could throw a bowling ball down and not hit a customer.

I would sure hate to be a store associate and have to work in conditions like that, especially if I am in a department where commissions are involved.

[blueandgoldguy]

Regarding the possible expansion at Kildonan Place, is there any chance that the Famous Players multiplex there will be expanded? Those theatres are pretty small and outdated.

[armorand93]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

^ That's too bad...

On another note. There is an open house at Kildonan Place coming up, the 14th IIRC, for the potential mall expansion (mall proper, not the Shindico thing) and the extension of Reenders.

A second floor added on top would be really nice... I REALLY don't want to see it expand on just the one floor it currently has. Theres enough sprawling crap around Kildonan Place, shopping wise. Talking about that though, even a small 2nd floor to start, maybe to move the food court into, would be excellent.

[bomberjet]

Yeah I'm not sure what the plans are. I couldn't find my paper copy of the herald. The posting highlighted the land behind Canadian Tire and another triangle of land at the SE corner of Reenders and Stapon. So it'll be interesting to see if it's just adding some "out buildings" if you will. Or expanding the mall itself. It does look like it would be possible to add a second floor going by the height of the dome window/skylights.