Downtown Update - Page 7

DC83 · #**121** Posted **Feb 9, 2008, 1:44 PM**

^^ Exactly!! Maybe Mr Hall & Mr Kane need to take over the Downtown BIA?
If they can make their small store exciting, think of what they could do for the Gore! haha

raisethehammer · #**122** Posted **Feb 9, 2008, 9:44 PM**

there's another piece in today's business section about the Beanermunky chocolate stall at the entrance to the Farmers Market. Spec website isn't working so I can't link to it, but they said that sales have increased by 123% in the past year and they plan a downtown storefront location with a glass facade so people can look inside and see the chocolate-making process.
I hope they go ahead with this, and once again, it's great to hear of another business success story downtown.

matt602 · #**123** Posted **Feb 9, 2008, 9:51 PM**

That is beautiful to hear about and I REALLY hope it comes to fruition. Those types of stores that draw you in for a closer look (and offer a subject everyone loves, CHOCOLATE) are what downtown needs again.

BTW Liason(sp?) College opened their new location in Jackson Square. It's pretty unimpressive. There's one small sign to tell you that it's even up there, the escalator doesn't work and you can't even see into it at all unless you actually go upstairs. The plus? There was a ton of "Chef's in training" buying stuff in the pathetic little food court there (and probably in the farmers market as well).

raisethehammer · #**124** Posted **Feb 9, 2008, 10:01 PM**

I was going to walk up there today and see how the reno turned out. Looks to be blank, white walls on either side of the escalator. Future use perhaps? I know they plan an outdoor patio in the summertime so we'll see.
That food court was really busy today too...mind you, it's only 2 restaurants anymore, but the new Taste of Vietnam was doing a great business.

realcity · #**125** Posted **Feb 9, 2008, 10:05 PM**

Only two restaurants left in jS food court? For real?

matt602 · #**126** Posted **Feb 9, 2008, 10:11 PM**

He is referring to the Market Court, not the main one. That one is bustling as always (I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be any plans to enlarge it or attract different chains).

DC83 · #**127** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 12:31 PM**

So if that opened up there, what's going in that huge hole across the hall from the Library?
I was under the impression LC was opening there... but last week when I was in JS, I noticed nothing had been done to that section there and it's still empty yet it looks like it's under construction?

matt602 · #**128** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 1:33 PM**

They seem to be dragging their feet on it. I haven't seen them working inside of it for weeks now. They've just reduced the space to the support columns.

raisethehammer · #**129** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 1:56 PM**

rumour has it that the farmers market will move there as their temporary location for a year or two while the market is renovated.

markbarbera · #**130** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 2:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC83

So if that opened up there, what's going in that huge hole across the hall from the Library?
I was under the impression LC was opening there... but last week when I was in JS, I noticed nothing had been done to that section there and it's still empty yet it looks like it's under construction?

The food court is expanding into this area.

DC83 · #**131** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 2:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by markbarbera

The food court is expanding into this area.

Really? That's perfect! This section is SO dead now that the Market Court is almost empty, and that hall from the Library up to Roots has had NO retail in it for years.

The one thing JS needs is to be opened up as much as it can! The whole dark, cold, cellar feel is what scares potential shoppers away.

HAMRetrofit · #**132** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 4:27 PM**

Large areas of the JS Mall can just be demolished. It is grossly overbuilt, market retail demand for that space in its current format will not likely ever return. Just get rid of it and create an outdoor pedestrian gallery. Move retail back onto the city streets where it belongs.

DC83 · #**133** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 4:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMRetrofit

Large areas of the JS Mall can just be demolished. It is grossly overbuilt, market retail demand for that space in its current format will not likely ever return. Just get rid of it and create an outdoor pedestrian gallery. Move retail back onto the city streets where it belongs.

That's exactly what I've been wanting for YEARS!! hahaha make Jackson Square an actual public SQUARE! Move retail back into the City Centre and street-front and voila!

HAMRetrofit · #**134** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 5:52 PM**

Here is an idea for Jackson Square.

Demolish the areas approximately in white. Convert this area into outdoor space with a large public plaza at street grade. Convert the spaces fronting this area into street facing retail space. Secure major retail tenants in the redevelopment. Allow vehicles on the extensions of Summers Lane and King William Streets.

ihateittoo · #**135** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 9:07 PM**

For some reason I consider this big news:

But I noticed last night that a new hot dog vendor has opened up at ferguson station for the saturday night crowds in that area. I know it isn't a big deal - but I think it just adds to the atmosphere of the int. villiage. Finally some spin-off from the busyness at absinthe. It was still open at about 1:30am too.

raisethehammer · #**136** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 10:00 PM**

nice...that IS good news. Hess has always had late night vendors, John South usually does too around Jackson St.
There's actually a lot more late night activity around there than just Absinthe. the Asian Karaoke Bar - Red Lounge or something like that. The Hot Pot/Bubble Tea cafe at King and Walnut. 316 Lounge. They're all open late on weekends....let's hope more and more businesses open in this area.

BCTed · #**137** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 11:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMRetrofit

Here is an idea for Jackson Square.

Demolish the areas approximately in white. Convert this area into outdoor space with a large public plaza at street grade. Convert the spaces fronting this area into street facing retail space. Secure major retail tenants in the redevelopment. Allow vehicles on the extensions of Summers Lane and King William Streets.

I kind of like Jackson Square and I think that big indoor shopping centres have a place. I would rather keep it as is, as I would also prefer that the Centre Mall be kept intact.

DC83 · #**138** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 11:15 PM**

sweet! Love streetmeat! That just means ppl r noticing how happening the area is.
There's also that new karaoke bar, King Karaoke. Maybe it should be renamed Karaoke Village! haha
can't wait to see the place once ppl move into the Terraces.

raisethehammer · #**139** Posted **Feb 10, 2008, 11:30 PM**

I'm hoping that there are 2 spaces in that King Karaoke. There were rumblings of a Pho restaurant going in one of them. Man, IV could use some pho. I would be all over that.
The bistro place just east of King Karaoke isn't giving me much hope with this crummy looking front windows and badly painted signage.
However, Liu Liu Hotpot on Walnut St now has a bubble tea cafe on their second floor. It's a great building. Walnut just south of King is friggin gorgeous.

Goldfinger · #**140** Posted **Feb 12, 2008, 1:49 AM**

This Parcel has changed hands again, corner of Ferguson.

Closing Date: 8 Jan 08

212 KING WILLIAM ST
City of Hamilton, Hamilton-Wentworth

Sale Price $3,300,000
Vendor: 1473580 Ontario Ltd

Purchaser: 2147718 Ontario Inc

Description High-Rise Res Site - retail bldg on about 0.7 Ac

For development of high-rise condo bldg with 20,000 sf retail on ground, 11-13 storey and 177 units