Halifax Retail

[icetea93]

Originally Posted by haligonia

If Halifax can support two Banana Republics (DC and HSC) I'm sure we could support a Lacoste.

Agree 100%

[icetea93]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I was just to the Crossiron Mills mall today here in Calgary and then to 'The Core' as well. Both have Lacoste stores - the prices seem pretty much to be around the same level as Banana Republic, may be slightly higher.

There is no reason why Halifax couldn't support Hollister, BR or Lacoste - it's just a matter of getting the store there and it advertised. I know countless people who shop for Lacoste stuff everywhere else, other than a lacoste store (since Halifax doesn't have one).

As for Hollister...it's geared towards young gay twinks lol. Speaking as an older gay male - that's ALL they wear lol. That and American Eagle. I have a few things from AE - but I felt totally wrong being in the store lol. I'm just old lol.

Another good store which I am a huge fan off is RW & Co. I'm not sure what chain owns it, but my friend and I went to the one in Crossiron and got some really great deals. Two pairs of casual jeans for me; was 40% off the existing mark down. With taxes, $32! One store that Calgary just got at Chinook, which is also out at Crossiron Mills (and doing good business) is Michael Korrs (yes, the same guy on the panel of project runway). For ladies stuff, apparently he does it well. I could see one of MK in Trillium. Granted Mills carries his stuff I believe.

In my high school, most of the gay guys don't like the big brand names, they wear H&M type cheap-chic clothes. The straight guys are the ones that wear American Eagle, Hollister, Abercrombie, and Aeropostale (including me).

[-Harlington-]

Theres a Tims moving into the old Perks on lower water

its going to have a cold stone feature which i thought was kinda cool

should be good in the summer.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by -Harlington-

Theres a Tims moving into the old Perks on lower water

its going to have a cold stone feature which i thought was kinda cool

should be good in the summer.

Why did that Perk's location close? I used to frequent it whenever I stayed in a downtown Hfx hotel.

I don't want another generic Timmies (even with a Cold Stone), I have 35 to choose from here in Moncton.....

[icetea93]

I want Dunkin' Donuts to expand to Eastern Canada...

[Antigonish]

Originally Posted by icetea93

I want Dunkin' Donuts to expand to Eastern Canada...

I vividly remember going to one in PEI as a kid in the mid - 90s, maybe it was in summerside?

[icetea93]

Originally Posted by NISH89

I vividly remember going to one in PEI as a kid in the mid - 90s, maybe it was in summerside?

I just checked their Canadian locations and they are all in Quebec. The ones that were in PEI seemed to have closed. I wish they would try at least one location downtown to see what happens!

[resetcbu1]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I was just to the Crossiron Mills mall today here in Calgary and then to 'The Core' as well. Both have Lacoste stores - the prices seem pretty much to be around the same level as Banana Republic, may be slightly higher.

There is no reason why Halifax couldn't support Hollister, BR or Lacoste - it's just a matter of getting the store there and it advertised. I know countless people who shop for Lacoste stuff everywhere else, other than a lacoste store (since Halifax doesn't have one).

As for Hollister...it's geared towards young gay twinks lol. Speaking as an older gay male - that's ALL they wear lol. That and American Eagle. I have a few things from AE - but I felt totally wrong being in the store lol. I'm just old lol.

Another good store which I am a huge fan off is RW & Co. I'm not sure what chain owns it, but my friend and I went to the one in Crossiron and got some really great deals. Two pairs of casual jeans for me; was 40% off the existing mark down. With taxes, $32! One store that Calgary just got at Chinook, which is also out at Crossiron Mills (and doing good business) is Michael Korrs (yes, the same guy on the panel of project runway). For ladies stuff, apparently he does it well. I could see one of MK in Trillium. Granted Mills carries his stuff I believe.

What happened with the planned horse track there and the fact originaly it was suppossed t be larger than West Ed?

prime example of the flawed vission and urban sprawl in calgary, that hopefully won't happen in halifax....although with the money here it seems everyone can afford their own chunk of land, eventually it will catch to calgary.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by resetcbu1

What happened with the planned horse track there and the fact originaly it was suppossed t be larger than West Ed?

prime example of the flawed vission and urban sprawl in calgary, that hopefully won't happen in halifax....although with the money here it seems everyone can afford their own chunk of land, eventually it will catch to calgary.

Well fortunately it wasn't the City of calgary that had anything to do with CrossIron Mills. That was Rockyview County - the county outside of Calgary (that Calgary tends to eat up as we sprawl out).

The last I heard is that the race track is delayed; but the rumor I'm hearing from people who know the developers is that it's not going to go ahead. Certainly the area where the track could be is still empty and they've finally installed the south access road to the Deerfoot (which has improved Traffic flow).

As to Icetea's comment - I guess the younger gay guys out here like to spend more money, because I see them shopping at all sorts of stores (not just H&M). I did have a small thing for H&M, but more and more I find I'm drifting back to the gap and RW&Co.

[q12]

Empire Theatres to Add Three New IMAX Digital Theatres
By Canada NewsWire | May 18, 2011

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/arti...gital-theatres

IMAX to have 22 commercial theatres operating in Canada by November
HALIFAX and TORONTO, May 18 /CNW/ - Empire Theatres, a Canada-wide film exhibition company with 50 theatres, and IMAX Corp. (NYSE: IMAX) (TSX: IMAX) announced today that Empire Theatres will be adding three new IMAX digital theatres to its network this year.
In addition to an existing location in Halifax, NS, the following theatres in the Empire Theatres network have been chosen to deliver The IMAX Experience®:

Empire Theatres Country Hills, Calgary, AB
Empire Theatres Kitchener, Kitchener, ON
Empire Theatres Avalon Mall, St. John's, NL

The Empire Theatres Bayers Lake, Halifax, NS IMAX screen will be converted from film to digital projection to allow for a greater range of IMAX blockbuster hits to be shown.
"We are excited to partner once again with IMAX Corporation to bring The IMAX Experience® to our theatres in these markets," says Dean Leland, Vice President, Studio & Media Relations, Empire Theatres. "IMAX delivers premium viewing experiences in both digital and 3D that our guests are looking for."
IMAX offers cutting-edge digital 2D and 3D picture and sound technologies that deliver a superior movie-going experience on a larger screen with crystal-clear images and enhanced sound. IMAX theatres deliver the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX® 3D, and IMAX DMR® technology, creating an immersive experience that will make guests feel like they are a part of the movie.
"Today's announcement highlights our commitment to expanding in the Canadian market, and to continuing our successful work with key partners like Empire Theatres," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "With these three new systems, we are scheduled to have 22 commercial theatres operating in Canada by November, more than double the size of our Canadian commercial theatre network as of November 2010."
The Empire Theatres Country Hills, AB, Empire Theatres Kitchener, ON and Empire Theatres Bayers Lake, NS locations will be open for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2: An IMAX 3D Experience on July 15, 2011. The Empire Theatres Avalon Mall, NL location will be open in September 2011.

Empire Theatres to bring Empire Extra to Five Additional Locations
Empire Extra is Empire Theatres' very own revolutionary digital cinema experience

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/a.../16/c4747.html

HALIFAX, May 16 /CNW/ - Empire Theatres, a Canada-wide film exhibition company, will be introducing Empire Extra, a revolutionary new digital cinema experience, to five additional locations this year.

Empire Extra provides guests with a heightened sensory experience in a special auditorium custom-designed to offer dynamic sound, screen and seat quality. Empire Extra boasts a proprietary custom-designed multi-channel sound system for the ultimate audio experience; stunning digital presentation on a massive, wall to wall wrap-around screen; and reserved seating in comfy, high back rockers.

Empire Extra was first introduced to the new Empire Theatres Waterloo complex in Waterloo, ON which opened in November 2010. Due to its success and positive guest feedback, it will now be introduced to the following locations over the next few months:

Empire Theatres Dartmouth Crossing, Dartmouth, NS
Empire Theatres Empress Walk, Toronto, ON
Empire Theatres MacLeod Trail, Calgary, AB
Empire Theatres Crystal Palace, Dieppe, NB
Empire Theatres Orleans, Orleans, ON

"Empire Extra has been a hit with guests in our Waterloo, ON location. They love the outstanding movie-going experience so we have decided to introduce it to a few other locations in time for summer," says Dean Leland, Vice President - Studio Relations & Media, Empire Theatres.

All good news!

[icetea93]

According to Downtown Halifax's Twitter account, there will be two new restaurants opening this year in the downtown core:

-The Middle Spoon Desserterie & Bar
-Le Coquerel Bistro

[q12]

The Bay Continues its Evolution as a World-Class Department Store - Multi-million Dollar Facelift for Stores All Across Canada
Canada NewsWire

TORONTO, May 24, 2011

TORONTO, May 24, 2011 /CNW/ - The evolution of The Bay continues. Today, The Bay announced that it is renovating 80 of its 91 stores across Canada, providing a retail facelift to further improve the shopping experience for Canadians. Renovations are already underway and the majority are expected to be complete by August 2011. This multi-million dollar investment in the iconic brand comes hot on the heels of a groundbreaking partnership with Compass Group Canada and Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants to reinvigorate all of The Bay restaurants and foodservices, and news that The Bay has secured the Canadian franchise rights for UK-based retail fashion phenomena Topshop and Topman.

"We are extremely excited to continue our journey to becoming a world-class department store, committed to providing the ultimate fashion and shopping experience," says Debbie Edwards, Senior Vice President, The Bay. "Our new store offering will be far more compelling and our renovated stores will be more inviting. This, combined with all our hard work improving customer service over the past two years, will help provide the ultimate shopping destination for our customers."

Customer-First Approach
The Bay has focused on a customer-first approach in order to continue offering Canadians what they want and need in a new retail environment. As part of enhancing the customer experience, The Bay has recently introduced many exciting new brands, concepts, and exclusive retail offerings such as Material Girl by Madonna, Edit by Jeanne Beker, and Jessica Simpson Jeanswear. The updated stores will better showcase The Bay's modern selection, and make it easier to introduce additional brands and concepts in the future.

"The renovated Bay stores will be easy to navigate; offer a more open concept with brighter visual elements; and will include a larger footprint for both women's and men's apparel," explains Ms. Edwards. "Every store and customer community is unique, so we will work to ensure that the renovations will best suit the needs of each location of The Bay."

To celebrate this new beginning, The Bay will be conducting Renovation Sales across Canada offering customers great value on the latest in fashion, beauty, home and accessory designers and brands.

"A new era is truly underway at The Bay," says Ms. Edwards. "Our goal has been to make The Bay a world-class department store and we are once again delivering on that commitment, all with the Canadian consumer in mind."

About The Bay
Hudson's Bay Company was incorporated in 1670 by a British royal charter under King Charles II. With an unrivalled 341-year history in Canada, Hudson's Bay Company is renowned for its historical role in the development of the nation. Today, The Bay is Canada's leading department store and has established a reputation for quality, service, and more than ever, for style. A world-class department store, The Bay offers well edited assortments of exclusive and popular fashion, beauty, home and accessory designers and brands. The stores are continually evolving to provide customers with new and exclusive merchandise, as well as customized services to set The Bay apart from any other retailer in Canada. The Bay operates 91 stores in 8 provinces across Canada as well as www.thebay.com, the company's online store.

Interesting they are renovating 80 of its 91 stores, I wonder if the rest will be closed along with Halifax. I heard on the radio that Renovations are underway at the Mic Mac Mall Bay Store.

[q12]

Target to open first Nova Scotia stores at Bedford Place Mall and Mic Mac Mall



http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/loca...d-mic-mac-mall

PHILIP CROUCHER
METRO HALIFAX
Published: May 26, 2011 10:46 a.m.
Last modified: May 26, 2011 11:49 a.m.

Target has announced the first stores it will be opening in Canada from current Zellers locations, and it includes two for HRM.
Target is set to begin opening stores across the country in early 2013 and according to the Financial Post, Bedford Place Mall and Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth are amongst the first 105 stores opening.
"It's going to be great for the shopping centre," Mic Mac Mall general manager Terry Harvie said upon learning the news Thursday. "We kind of figured this would be one of them, because it's one of the higher volume stores in Atlantic Canada. It's going to be fabulous."
A second wave of stores are to be announced in September, the Post reports.
There four stores in total opening across the Maritimes. The others are in Charlottetown and Saint John, N.B.

Good news!

I would say the Bayers Lake Zellers is obviously going to be converted to Target as well.

Full store list from Financial Post:
http://business.financialpost.com/20...nadian-stores/

[halifaxboyns]

I was making some treats for my coworkers last night and stumbled on this funny show on W called the Cupcake Girls - which follows the owners of a Cupcake Franchise in Vancouver called: "Cupcakes by Heather and Lori". Apparently they are starting plans to expand to Toronto and of friends who have had them - they are delicious. Perhaps they should think further east?

[someone123]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I was making some treats for my coworkers last night and stumbled on this funny show on W called the Cupcake Girls - which follows the owners of a Cupcake Franchise in Vancouver called: "Cupcakes by Heather and Lori". Apparently they are starting plans to expand to Toronto and of friends who have had them - they are delicious. Perhaps they should think further east?

I used to live a few blocks from their main store in Kitsilano. Some of the cupcakes are good. I find the pink and brown doll house style of the store pretty creepy though.

[DigitalNinja]

Telus moved into the old shirt shack location in Scotia Square.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I was making some treats for my coworkers last night and stumbled on this funny show on W called the Cupcake Girls - which follows the owners of a Cupcake Franchise in Vancouver called: "Cupcakes by Heather and Lori". Apparently they are starting plans to expand to Toronto and of friends who have had them - they are delicious. Perhaps they should think further east?

Susie's seems to have the cupcake market cornered here. I really think that cupcakes will soon be out of fashion anyway.

[halifaxboyns]

From the CBC online:

Force box stores to build downtown: HRM councillor

A Halifax councillor says box stores in the city's industrial parks should have to build smaller stores downtown to revitalize the centre's economy.

Dawn Sloane, Halifax Regional Municipality councillor for the downtown, wants City Hall to consider forcing each new box store to build a smaller downtown version before getting the go-ahead to do business in places like the Bayers Lake Business Park or Dartmouth Crossing.

"There could be a large store out there and a small one down here — have it as an outlet store in the downtown. Then they're selling things at both places [so] they're not missing out on any of the revenue and they're gaining patrons," she said.

Sloane said the same thing is already happening in New York and said she modelled her proposal after a policy in Winnipeg. She will put it before council Tuesday.

Paul MacKinnon of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission said he liked the idea.

"I like the fact that it's bold. You know, on the surface it seems like it's a bit of a strange and wacky idea and in essence it seems like we're trying to play with the free market, but in fact with our taxation policies, our zoning bylaws and where we're encouraging development to happen, HRM is already in that game," he said.

Focus on taxes, rent
A shop owner on Barrington Street in downtown Halifax said there are a few fundamental reasons why it's tough to do business in the downtown, but forcing the box stores to open satellite stores would address none of them.

"I don't think it's the most important thing. I think she should perhaps be focused on something else," said Sandra Smith, owner of Little Mysteries Books.

Smith has done business downtown for 17 years and said Sloane should focus on existing downtown retailers. She said lowering rent and taxes and improving parking would be good steps.

"Just do something to make Barrington Street not look like a war zone. I don't think getting big box stores to put up a sort of order office downtown is really the way to go," she said.

Whatever action HRM takes will be too late for Smith. She said after struggling for the last ten years, she is moving her business out of the downtown as soon as she finds the right location.

[wackypacky]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

From the CBC online:

Force box stores to build downtown: HRM councillor

A Halifax councillor says box stores in the city's industrial parks should have to build smaller stores downtown to revitalize the centre's economy.

Dawn Sloane, Halifax Regional Municipality councillor for the downtown, wants City Hall to consider forcing each new box store to build a smaller downtown version before getting the go-ahead to do business in places like the Bayers Lake Business Park or Dartmouth Crossing.

"There could be a large store out there and a small one down here — have it as an outlet store in the downtown. Then they're selling things at both places [so] they're not missing out on any of the revenue and they're gaining patrons," she said.

Sloane said the same thing is already happening in New York and said she modelled her proposal after a policy in Winnipeg. She will put it before council Tuesday.

Paul MacKinnon of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission said he liked the idea.

"I like the fact that it's bold. You know, on the surface it seems like it's a bit of a strange and wacky idea and in essence it seems like we're trying to play with the free market, but in fact with our taxation policies, our zoning bylaws and where we're encouraging development to happen, HRM is already in that game," he said.

Focus on taxes, rent
A shop owner on Barrington Street in downtown Halifax said there are a few fundamental reasons why it's tough to do business in the downtown, but forcing the box stores to open satellite stores would address none of them.

"I don't think it's the most important thing. I think she should perhaps be focused on something else," said Sandra Smith, owner of Little Mysteries Books.

Smith has done business downtown for 17 years and said Sloane should focus on existing downtown retailers. She said lowering rent and taxes and improving parking would be good steps.

"Just do something to make Barrington Street not look like a war zone. I don't think getting big box stores to put up a sort of order office downtown is really the way to go," she said.

Whatever action HRM takes will be too late for Smith. She said after struggling for the last ten years, she is moving her business out of the downtown as soon as she finds the right location.

How does focusing on existing stores fill up the empty spaces on barrington and make it look like less of a war zone?

[CorbeauNoir]

I just noticed tonight that one of Spring Garden's vacancies is about to be filled. The old Dairy Queen's windows are papered up and signs are announcing that Eastlink will be moving in.