west edmonton mall is getting its fair share of 1st entrants into canada and western canada:
hollister
abercrombie and fitch
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"The destructive effects of automobiles are much less a cause than a symptom of our incompetence at city building" - Jane Jacobs 1961ish
/\ yeah WEM has been doing quite well in this regard, French Connection, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, just a couple more that set up in Edm before anywhere else in the west.
I also believe that American Apparel set up its first western Canada store in Edmonton on Whyte. I recall the sales lady saying that back when it first opened.
American Apparel - what a ripoff! It's just sweats and T-shirts!
I do believe Zara opened their first on Bloor St. before Montreal's. Was the first one on Ste-Catharine?
WEM still has the only Forever 21 in Canada. The Hollister will open at the same time ast the two Toronto stores, and A&F is due to open, but it's not been stated when yet.
I also believe that American Apparel set up its first western Canada store in Edmonton on Whyte. I recall the sales lady saying that back when it first opened.
They've also opened a store at 17th Ave. & 14th Street SW (former Mother's Music) in Calgary.
A&F was in the Exchange Tower in Toronto in the late '80s/early '90s, back when A&F was the land of the $400 croquet set. They had two floors, where the Starbucks and the food court is now.
-Chinook Centre's Williams-Sonoma store opening was the 2nd biggest opening, sales-wise, in the company's history - the only store that did better was Manhattan's 30,000 sq.ft. flagship store. Western Canada only location
-Fourth Banana Republic location recently opened at Market Mall
-Pottery Barn is almost complete with its 15,500 sq.ft. Chinook location. The store has a huge exterior storefront facing Macleod Trail
-Urban Oufitters has signed a deal to build a 12,000 square foot store at Deerfoot Meadows
-Sunridge Mall opened its new foodcourt last month as part of ongoing $50 million redevelopment
"Id bet donuts to dollars that the mall will get Western Canada's first H&M as well "
ive emailed them to open on jasper....
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"The destructive effects of automobiles are much less a cause than a symptom of our incompetence at city building" - Jane Jacobs 1961ish
Plus15: Isn't it strange that they built the only Williams-Sonoma in Chinook, but the first Pottery Barn in Vancouver (yet no Williams-Sonoma to speak of)? In Toronto, all four are paired up in the same mall, with two of the pairs having a Pottery Barn Kids too.
^ yes. the Zara was undergoing some major renovations/expansions for a few months. I think it's now fully open again. it's a 20 second walk from my office building. I should probably know for sure, but I guess I haven't been getting out of the office onto Ste-Catherine Street very much this summer...
Yes, SSLL, I find that sort of odd. Vancouver was the obvious choice for the first Williams-Sonoma. I guess the right location hasn't come along, or they are unsure about whether to go with a streetside or mall location.
On a side note, shopping at US based stores in Canada is really becoming a ripp-off! For example, the markup at Williams-Sonoma & Pottery Barn ranges between 45-50% on all items in the Canadian stores - and with an $.85 dollar - we are getting soaked!
I also believe that American Apparel set up its first western Canada store in Edmonton on Whyte. I recall the sales lady saying that back when it first opened.
They've also opened a store at 17th Ave. & 14th Street SW (former Mother's Music) in Calgary.
This was back in March. There are AA's in Vancouver and Calgary now.
Yes, SSLL, I find that sort of odd. Vancouver was the obvious choice for the first Williams-Sonoma. I guess the right location hasn't come along, or they are unsure about whether to go with a streetside or mall location.
On a side note, shopping at US based stores in Canada is really becoming a ripp-off! For example, the markup at Williams-Sonoma & Pottery Barn ranges between 45-50% on all items in the Canadian stores - and with an $.85 dollar - we are getting soaked!
Try living in the UK! I refuse to buy anything I can buy in Toronto, here. It's almost the same price as the US prices, but in £! Like a 100% markup!!!
I was just at WEM today. They really need to fix that place up!
I did buy a cell phone finally, it cost me $550 with the security deposit and $200 that I'll get back in the first bill, but man, I didn't realize how expensive it was to get a cell!