General Retail News

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by phil235

No question the location could be better. It will be excellent in 47 8 years when they finally open a Gladstone station on the O-Train, but ironically I am guessing that is what made it an attractive buy for an investor with deep pockets and a lot of patience.

Fixed that for you. Gladstone station is part of Phase 2.

Originally Posted by phil235

Their marketing was also pretty questionable for the first few years. They've stepped it up in the last couple, with very good results, but sadly it looks like it is too little, too late. Hopefully they can eek out at least a few more years there before anything happens.

Perhaps the theatre could remain in the podium of a future development.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

Fixed that for you. Gladstone station is part of Phase 2.



Perhaps the theatre could remain in the podium of a future development.

Thanks, my mistake.

It would be ideal if it could be in a podium, but I wonder about the economics of that. Even the GCTC seems to have difficulty making the financial model work, and they have a pretty impressive list of donors helping them out.

The best chance is to support the theatre over the next year or two and help it stay financially viable. They have some pretty reasonable subscription packages.

[Mille Sabords]

Originally Posted by phil235

It will be kind of sad if this doesn't stay a theatre. It's one of the unique features of Little Italy. Doesn't sound likely though.

Do we know who bought the property? That might give us a clue as to the theatre's future. It could well be that they found a new owner for the same operation. As has been said, business had picked up and the area is a legit nightlife hub.

The one thing they need to get rid of is allowing cars to park in front, it destroys the whole look of that place. Fence it off, create a good people plaza and a real place to gather and line up before the show, etc.

[canabiz]

Originally Posted by Mille Sabords

Do we know who bought the property? That might give us a clue as to the theatre's future. It could well be that they found a new owner for the same operation. As has been said, business had picked up and the area is a legit nightlife hub.

The one thing they need to get rid of is allowing cars to park in front, it destroys the whole look of that place. Fence it off, create a good people plaza and a real place to gather and line up before the show, etc.

How are you able to do that? Unless you mean right in front of the building? Patrons of the businesses (the Thai restaurant on the left side, the garage on the right side and the Italian restaurant across the street) besides this place have as much rights to park in the areas as anybody else.

The identity of the buyer remains unidentified, per the Ottawa Citizen but according to the ad description: this building can be used for different purposes

Although currently used as a performing arts theatre, the premises can also be used as a rental facility, conference/meeting hall, music hall, movie theatre and even for religious groupings and gatherings. The main section of the theatre can sit over 235 and can accommodate many special event.

[canabiz]

Ottawa isn't rich enough for a Prada or Louis Vuitton store.

I don't know about you guys but I checked out Nordstrom on the grand opening day but I have not been back since. I'll probably do the same for Simon's.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ott...rada-louis-vuitton-experts-say-1.3190550

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by canabiz

Ottawa isn't rich enough for a Prada or Louis Vuitton store.

I don't know about you guys but I checked out Nordstrom on the grand opening day but I have not been back since. I'll probably do the same for Simon's.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ott...rada-louis-vuitton-experts-say-1.3190550

Simons is less expensive than Nordstrom. My kids buy stuff with their own money at Simons and they are preteens.

[canabiz]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Simons is less expensive than Nordstrom. My kids buy stuff with their own money at Simons and they are preteens.

They better have good deals to entice me to go there (regularly) from Barrhaven to Gatineau

[1overcosc]

They'll be at Rideau soon enough, easier trip.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

They'll be at Rideau soon enough, easier trip.

Not necessarily for someone coming from Barrhaven. The Gatineau store is only 10 minutes further and offers free parking.

Though I don't really care which store people go to, or even if they go at all, as it's not my business.

That said, my wife and I were chatting about this and wondering about the wisdom of opening two Simons stores in Ottawa-Gatineau so close to one another. They are about 7 km apart.

This is roughly the distance between Simons' three stores in the Quebec City area, where they've been a local institution for about 200 years.

[1overcosc]

Ottawa & Gatineau are very distinct markets, though... people generally stick to their side outside of work and the northbound booze/sex/ski trips.

If anything this shows that Simons gets it.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

Ottawa & Gatineau are very distinct markets, though... people generally stick to their side outside of work and the northbound booze/sex/ski trips.

If anything this shows that Simons gets it.

I get that sense as well. Peter Simons is a smart guy with good instincts.

Simons Rideau won't be a "destination" for people on the Quebec side. They'll go to the Gatineau store for the most part. They may pop into the Rideau store if they work in the area or happen to be at Rideau for some other reason, but by and large their "go-to" store is going to be the one in Gatineau.

The marketing for the Gatineau store is very much "you wanted us and we're finally here!", and tailored to a market that already knew the brand. Peter Simons said he was actually shocked at the postal code data that showed how big a chunk of the clientele at his Laval store (and to a lesser degree the downtown Montreal store) came from the Gatineau area.

Simons Rideau will have more of a "let's get to know each other" type of approach. They're not totally unknown in Ottawa like they were in Edmonton, but it's still more virgin territory than Gatineau is.

[Radster]

And just to add to this discussion, if Sherbrooke, with a population of just over 150,000 is home to a Simons store which is always busy (I shopped there a few times), then surely Ottawa-Gatineau with a population of well over a million, can surely support 2 Simons stores. I have zero doubts about their success on both sides of the river.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Radster

And just to add to this discussion, if Sherbrooke, with a population of just over 150,000 is home to a Simons store which is always busy (I shopped there a few times), then surely Ottawa-Gatineau with a population of well over a million, can surely support 2 Simons stores. I have zero doubts about their success on both sides of the river.

I also suspect that Simons has learned from the mistakes made by Les Ailes de la Mode at Bayshore.

[YOWflier]

Agreed on distinct (Ott/Gat), but the cross border flow is probably much greater than thought. For example, just drive through the Rideau Centre parking lots and note the quantity of Quebec plates.

As for the Nordstrom comment on the previous page, I for one shop there regularly, and judging by the crowds (and my casual questioning of the staff), they seem to be doing very well. It's not just a store filled with expensive items....they have something for everyone. Incidentally, their Bazille restaurant and ebar coffee shop are excellent, too.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

Ottawa & Gatineau are very distinct markets, though... people generally stick to their side outside of work and the northbound booze/sex/ski trips.

I think there are some exceptions to this. For instance, the Market is heavily supported by people from the Gatineau side. I often wonder if it would have as vibrant a street life without Gatineau so close.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by ac888yow

As for the Nordstrom comment on the previous page, I for one shop there regularly, and judging by the crowds (and my casual questioning of the staff), they seem to be doing very well. It's not just a store filled with expensive items....they have something for everyone. Incidentally, their Bazille restaurant and ebar coffee shop are excellent, too.

That's good to hear, because things will only improve. Once Simons etc. open and the Rideau Centre becomes the dominant shopping destination in the region, I expect Nordstrom to benefit in a big way.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by ac888yow

Agreed on distinct (Ott/Gat), but the cross border flow is probably much greater than thought. For example, just drive through the Rideau Centre parking lots and note the quantity of Quebec plates.
.

I definitely agree there is a pretty good flow.

But the Rideau Centre is so close to the border that if it were representative you'd have at least one third Quebec plates in the parking. I don't think that's the case.

Maybe even more Quebec plates as we're also more auto-dependent than you guys.

I also agree with Phil about the Market. Close to half the conversations you generally overhear on the sidewalks are in French so that gives you an indication.

[YOWflier]

Definitely agree about the market too, at least in terms of my recent weekend visits. I heard a ton of French conversations while shopping, dining, and strolling the streets...somehow I doubt they're all Franco-Ontarian.

[mykl]

While I agree that in general, Ottawa and Gatineau can each support a Simons store (Edmonton is getting a second one, for example), there's a long history of Quebec chains that have had the people of Quebec turn against them. Simons took MANY years before deciding to make any moves outside of Quebec, even though Ottawa in particular was begging for the store. By moving to Ottawa, Simons knows that Gatineau would have been outraged that they didn't receive the fabulous Quebec chain that they know and love. So yes, both cities can support it, but there's more than one reason why Gatineau got a store, and before Ottawa.

That being said, I am headed to Simons tomorrow and I am excited as hell. I just hope its not too much of a nightmare to bus there lol.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by canabiz

Ottawa isn't rich enough for a Prada or Louis Vuitton store.

I don't know about you guys but I checked out Nordstrom on the grand opening day but I have not been back since. I'll probably do the same for Simon's.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ott...rada-louis-vuitton-experts-say-1.3190550

I personally disagree, since the target market isn't necessary local residents anyway. Tourists, especially from abroad, would be the big spenders.