[Saint John] Retail Thread

[gtsoc]

Hearing that a big name auto group has snatched up a handful of car dealerships in Saint John.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by gtsoc

Hearing that a big name auto group has snatched up a handful of car dealerships in Saint John.

Steele Auto Group Buys Saint John Dealerships

[Echo64]

I noticed that the new Starbucks on the west side now has an official A&W sign up that has Drive-Thru printed right on it, not really sure how that's going to work unless maybe they're going to build another building next to it?

Or maybe they're going to do it like Wendy's/Tim Hortons where it's one line but 2 different sets of windows?

[DyAm00394]

Simply For Life Opens Saint John Headquarters With Retail Shop, Market And Bistro

https://huddle.today/simply-for-life...et-and-bistro/

The opening of Simply For Life’s Saint John headquarters last month was a long time coming after the Covid-19 pandemic delayed its construction.

Owner Bruce Sweeney says the original plan was for the headquarters to open last spring, adding further delays due to multiple supply shortages and construction material issues led to additional costs well over $400,000.

“The demand for our brand got bigger than we ever expected,” said Sweeney. “The projection for growth was about 30 percent while we were doing this project, but within the transitions of Covid-19 the growth came close to 200 percent of demand, so we had to finish this in a heartbeat.”

Sweeney says they contracted a lot of local help from the Saint John area to build the headquarters.

“We hired all the [people for needed services] from Saint John even though we could have had cheaper [providers], either for electrical or plumbing out of Moncton or Fredericton,” he said. “We stuck to our roots – you have to walk-the-walk if you’re going to say you’re all about supporting locally.”

The new 8,000-square-foot headquarters located at 643 Rothesay Avenue houses a natural market, retail store and bistro and a smoothie bar all on the lower floor with its head offices located on the upper floor.
They also offer nutritional consulting services focused on healthy lifestyle changes, along with weight and chronic disease management, and all staff members have a background in nutrition.

Sweeney says over the last year Simply For Life Saint John hired nearly 40 employees with plans to bring the number up to 100. Future projects include a mental health retreat and both a cookhouse and greenhouse built behind the headquarters.

“We have five more of these stores in the works right now with the same prototype in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta, but we have to wait until Covid slows down,” he shared.

[DyAm00394]

It appears Planet Fitness might be coming to the city. Lancaster Mall's website lists them as a tenant. There was mention in an article a while back, (about the mall's redevelopment plans), that there will be a new fitness tenant coming to the mall. Planet Fitness has to be the tenant they mentioned. They already opened one in Moncton awhile ago. So it would make sense for them to expand with more locations here in NB.

Source: https://lancastermall.ca/stores/planet-fitness/

[DyAm00394]

It appears Cazza Petite is coming to both Saint John and Fredericton. Job listings are now online. They must be coming to McAllister Place and Regent Mall.

Source: https://ca.indeed.com/cmp/Cazza-Petite/jobs

Their Website: https://cazzapetitezacks.com/

[DyAm00394]

Local online craft shop, Fundy Vinyl & Supplies, will be opening their very first storefront at McAllister Place! They will be taking over the former Naturalizer space. (Which is awesome to see this spot didn't sit vacant for long).

Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.p...03906468202477

It's amazing seeing more and more local retailers/services open at McAllister Place (most recent examples being: House of Chan, T&P Elegant Nails, My City Life, U-Dezigns, and now Fundy Vinyl & Supplies). I hope to see more local businesses set up at the mall.

[DyAm00394]

Two new retailers are NOW OPEN! at McAllister Place. U-Design and Future-Tech.

Coming soon to the mall is Cazza Petite (in April) and Fundy Vinyl & Supplies (sometime soon). Looking forward to what else will open.

Source of pictures: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690...6455318253827/

[DyAm00394]

Lancaster Mall just updated their mall map. Right now, it shows a slightly different layout. Half of the mall will be cut off and will be converted to strip mall units. With the two units being for Planet Fitness and The Great Canadian Dollar Store. There will also be a smaller one between No Frills and Planet Fitness, (presumably an extension of BMO maybe?). Currently that one shows as an available 372 sq.ft unit. Overall, changes are coming to Lancaster Mall.

Source: https://lancastermall.ca/store-map/

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Lancaster Mall just updated their mall map. Right now, it shows a slightly different layout. Half of the mall will be cut off and will be converted to strip mall units. With the two units being for Planet Fitness and The Great Canadian Dollar Store. There will also be a smaller one between No Frills and Planet Fitness, (presumably an extension of BMO maybe?). Currently that one shows as an available 372 sq.ft unit. Overall, changes are coming to Lancaster Mall.

Source: https://lancastermall.ca/store-map/

I think it's just a cutaway image.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I think it's just a cutaway image.

Not sure what you mean? lol This is an actual map for the mall, on it’s website.

Not sure if you heard, but Lancaster Mall is going to undergoing major renovations and will be converting to an open air plaza (no longer be an indoor mall). It was announced/talked about in the news awhile back. The public library will also be moving and taking over the entire area of the mall in front of Walmart’s mall entrance. The new library will have an exterior entrance and will include the transit lounge that’s already there. (Walmart will then no longer have mall access). The Great Canadian Dollar Store is returning and Planet Fitness is coming soon (which in the news article, it mentioned a fitness tenant was coming).

So big changes are coming to the mall. In my opinion, converting to a strip mall/plaza makes sense. Better than having a mostly empty mall sitting there.

[Echo64]

Huh nice find, I kind of figured the dollar store would make it's way back there again somehow. They're working on renovating the old dollar store location, I figured that's where the gym was going but I guess not, looks like it's going to be a pretty small gym if that layout is correct.

[Echo64]

Also I stopped into Market Square today and the Tim Hortons location next to Toro Taco is permanently closed, kind of sad I remember it being there forever.

Won't be much of a coffee hangout anymore unless they walk up to Brunswick Square first.

[DyAm00394]

Celebrate (at East Point Shopping Center) is moving. They said not far, just next door. The only available spot is the former Home Emporium (which is next to Wheaton's and Sunset Grill). This spot is smaller than their current location though (like half the size I believe). Currently they have a big moving sale going on right now https://www.celebratedeals.com/

[NewIreland]

I know this idea has been floated before, but it really does make sense. The location and layout of Brunswick Square is ideal; the parcade, hotel etc.

[DyAm00394]

Some renderings of Lancaster Mall's major renovation is now online!
Source: https://strathallen.com/wp-content/u...t-2021-REV.pdf

"Strathallen is pleased to announce the addition of two new tenants to Lancaster Mall, our enclosed shopping centre located in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Through a partial redevelopment of the shopping centre, a National Fitness provider will occupy 15,000 square feet next to No Frills and Bank of Montreal. A highly sought-after but scarce service, we are excited to introduce this service to Saint John’s west-end. Construction of the Fitness Centre will be completed by late summer 2021 with a grand opening prior to year end.

In addition, the Saint John Free Public Library is relocating and expanding to a new prominent location next to Walmart. This will provide patrons direct access to the Library from the main parking lot. The Saint John Free Public Library has been an integral part of the centre for over 28 years, and we are happy to announce they will be moving to this larger premises with a fresh new look. The new Library location and expanded services will be open to patrons early Summer 2021. Until such time they will continue to operate in their existing location at Lancaster Mall.

“The relocated Library will continue to offer all the services and programs currently enjoyed, with new program and amenities to be announced closer to the grand opening,” stated a team member from Saint John Free Public Library.

Located at the Reversing Falls exit along Route 1, and with public transit located onsite, the 235,000 square foot mixed use shopping centre is anchored by Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, and No Frills serving over 200,000 visits annually. The addition of these key services will complement existing tenant offerings, and further improve the shopping experience for area residents and families alike."

EDIT: Here is an updated site plan found on Lancaster's website:https://lancastermall.ca/wp-content/...caster-2-1.pdf

[JHikka]

This forum isn't a classifieds section. Try elsewhere. Thanks.

[gtsoc]

70 Lansdowne (former Red Cross building) has been sold and buyer is planning to turn in to a 4 unit retail building. Unsure of what type of retail.

[RaginRonic]

Loch Lomond Place is getting a Dollarama store inside the former Sobeys space.

That will join McAllister Drive, McAllister Place, and Parkway Mall as the 4th such store to be located in East Saint John.

O.o

[DyAm00394]

Looks like Moncton-based Candy Depot is expanding to the city. Job listing is now online for a Store Manager.

https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=Candy%2...s=25&sort=date

Their website: https://www.candydepot.ca/