[Moncton] Retail Thread - Page 332

MonctonRad · #**6621** Posted **Sep 23, 2020, 2:44 AM**

The one problem with significant residential development at CF Champlain of course is the fact that the mall was built on a swamp. The ground is soft, and there is no bedrock near the surface. Of course pilings could be driven to support the weight of multi-storey buildings, but this would add a lot of expense to the project. Underground parking would also be problematic

Nashe · #**6622** Posted **Sep 23, 2020, 7:56 AM**

"When I first came here, this was all swamp. Everyone said I was daft to build a mall on a swamp, but I built it all the same, just to show them. It sank into the swamp. So I built a second one. And that one sank into the swamp. So I built a third. That burned down, fell over, and then sank into the swamp. But the fourth one stayed up. And that’s what you’re going to get, Son, the strongest mall in all of Canada."

MonctonRad · #**6623** Posted **Sep 23, 2020, 12:11 PM**

Lush seeks court permission to dissolve Canadian arm
Dispute has been simmering between U.K.-based parent and North American partners for years
By Glen Korstrom |September 22, 2020
https://biv.com/article/2020/09/lush...e-canadian-arm

This sounds worse than it is, and essentially this is a spat between the British founders of the company and their Canadian partners. Still, this would serve as a distraction for Lush's Canadian unit, and may interfere with any expansion plans to CF Champlain. In addition, the article mentions that Lush Canada is suffering from decreasing sales, which is also a red flag.

lirette · #**6624** Posted **Sep 23, 2020, 1:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Lush seeks court permission to dissolve Canadian arm
Dispute has been simmering between U.K.-based parent and North American partners for years
By Glen Korstrom |September 22, 2020
https://biv.com/article/2020/09/lush...e-canadian-arm

This sounds worse than it is, and essentially this is a spat between the British founders of the company and their Canadian partners. Still, this would serve as a distraction for Lush's Canadian unit, and may interfere with any expansion plans to CF Champlain. In addition, the article mentions that Lush Canada is suffering from decreasing sales, which is also a red flag.

The thing I find about Lush is, while their products are good quality & good packaging they are incredibly expensive and can often be found locally with the same quality for 1/3 of the price.

I remember going to the popup store to Christmas shop & a pack of 3 bath bombs was something like $30. There is 2 or 3 local vendors at the Farmers Market who I could get 9 or 10 bath bombs for that and there would be no drop in quality. Often times the farmers market is a situation where you are paying more to support local but not in the case of Lush.

I'd still fully support the store coming here and it would probably do well, but I could see in this retail climate how they'd dip in sales.

jonny golden · #**6625** Posted **Sep 23, 2020, 2:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The one problem with significant residential development at CF Champlain of course is the fact that the mall was built on a swamp. The ground is soft, and there is no bedrock near the surface. Of course pilings could be driven to support the weight of multi-storey buildings, but this would add a lot of expense to the project. Underground parking would also be problematic

No doubt this type of development would have it's challenges, both expense wise and construction wise. But it would give such a shot in the arm to the mall. Maybe the challenges with such a plan is why CF hasn't acted on it. But I'd love to see a major development project at Champlain Place.

jonny golden · #**6626** Posted **Sep 28, 2020, 2:11 PM**

I was in the mall and noticed them working at the former GNC location in Champlain Place once again. The door was open and I saw a crew working on the interior.

MonctonRad · #**6627** Posted **Sep 28, 2020, 5:52 PM**

The new location for Jump+ at CF Champlain may open as early as Wednesday or Thursday this week, depending on finishing touches. Source - a clerk at the current store. There has been delay on some final fit and finish, but the store is ready to go as soon as the contractors get out. It will apparently be considerably larger than their current store.

DyAm00394 · #**6628** Posted **Sep 30, 2020, 3:05 PM**

The new Jump+ is now open at CF Champlain (inside the former Suzy Shier location).

(Photo is from Retail Talk & Share NB).

MonctonRad · #**6629** Posted **Sep 30, 2020, 3:21 PM**

Looking more and more like a mini Apple corporate store!

MonctonRad · #**6630** Posted **Oct 5, 2020, 11:42 PM**

Off the Wall Eyewear Emporium is moving into the vacant CRU next to the Bank of Montreal in the Lounsbury Plaza on Mountain Road.

MonctonRad · #**6631** Posted **Oct 5, 2020, 11:46 PM**

Calendar Club is returning to CF Champlain this Christmas as usual, setting up in the old Payless location. Apparently Hickory Farms is returning as well.

DyAm00394 · #**6632** Posted **Oct 6, 2020, 11:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Calendar Club is returning to CF Champlain this Christmas as usual, setting up in the old Payless location. Apparently Hickory Farms is returning as well.

Santa'Ville is also returning as well. They are currently hiring for CF Champlain and Regent Mall. Source: https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=Santa%2...1693d91b2bb70a

Also CF Champlain related, Karma Spa has their sign up now at the former Things Engraved location. They should be opening soon.

DyAm00394 · #**6633** Posted **Oct 9, 2020, 1:51 PM**

Karma Spa is now open at the former Things Engraved location inside CF Champlain.
Here is their website: https://www.karmaspa.net

Photo is from Retail Talk & Share NB.

MonctonRad · #**6634** Posted **Oct 10, 2020, 2:25 AM**

They are beginning facade work on the new TD Bank branch at the Northwest Centre.

MonctonRad · #**6635** Posted **Oct 10, 2020, 5:23 PM**

Planet Fitness must still be planning to come to the Mapleton Plaza. This job posting was just uploaded to indeed.com two days ago:

https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=Retail&...af80d27ad26ba6

drewber · #**6636** Posted **Oct 11, 2020, 12:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Planet Fitness must still be planning to come to the Mapleton Plaza. This job posting was just uploaded to indeed.com two days ago:

https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=Retail&...af80d27ad26ba6

With the move back into orange and an unpredictable fall/winter covid wise, new gyms might be best off holding off opening until spring 2021

DyAm00394 · #**6637** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 12:28 PM**

It appears Labels might be opening a location at CF Champlain? There are new job listings online: https://ca.indeed.com/cmp/Labels/jobs?clearPrefilter=1

They are owned by the same company as Fairweather and they've opened a location at McAllister Place in Saint John last year (Sept 2019).

Apparently someone (an employee of one of the stores in the mall) over on Retail Talk & Share NB said they have a source that confirms that it's going in either the former Alia N Tan Jay spot or the former Addition Elle spot.

Also note that a month ago job listings were online for Designer Depot (owned by the same company as well) and a source had said that Designer Depot is coming. So overall, we shall wait and see. If Designer Depot comes as well, that will mean there will be 3 "Fairweather" stores at CF Champlain.

Picture is from Retail Talk & Share NB.

MonctonRad · #**6638** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 1:20 PM**

Interesting. Hopefully they will all pay their rent...........

It certainly seems CF Champlain is starting to lower their standards. Is this a signal that the vainglorious dream of a "fashion mall" has now passed into history????

If so, given the current retail apocalypse, this seems understandable. Regrettable and sad, but understandable..................

MonctonRad · #**6639** Posted **Oct 12, 2020, 7:34 PM**

The Ernest store at CF Champlain may be safe after all:

https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...MqU2r5W01N7RP8

Quote:

Ernest filed for creditor protection in September and used the opportunity to renegotiate some leases. The company has 40 stores (33 branded as Ernest, six under the Jonathan banner, and one under the Anthony banner), all of which are located in the province of Quebec except for one unit in Moncton, New Brunswick. No jobs were lost with the filing and only one store on Ste-Catherine Street in Montreal shuttered as a result.

MonctonRad · #**6640** Posted **Oct 14, 2020, 1:55 AM**

Not Moncton related, but interesting nonetheless:

Mall Landlord Brings Motion to Evict Hudson’s Bay Stores for Unpaid Rent
https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...ae49-113727169

Quote:

Cominar REIT says in court filings that HBC hasn’t paid rent since April at Rockland Centre in Montreal (monthly rent $86,200), Mail Champlain in Brossard (rent $110,200/month), and at Centre Laval in Laval (rent $20,500/month). Notices of default were sent in June and notices of termination followed last month. In total, damages and unpaid rents claimed amount to $3.68 million for Rockland Centre, $26.95 million for Mail Champlain, and $2.21 million for Centre Laval. All three stores in those malls are currently open.

Quote:

Oxford Properties is suing HBC for more than $2.29 million in unpaid rents at two shopping centres including Galeries de la Capitale in Quebec City (monthly rent of $220,000) and Promenades Gatineau near Ottawa ($145,900/month rent). The same report notes that HBC had not paid rents for eight of the 11 Oxford-owned malls in Canada containing Hudson’s Bay stores.

Doesn't sound too promising for the once venerated Hudson's Bay Company.