Quote:
Originally Posted by MonctonRad
Well, that would be a game changer for the downtown core. This would certainly qualify as a destination store and would put the downtown back in the game in terms of major retail (vs HSC, Micmac and the power centres).
|
I had not heard these rumours but it's not inconceivable. In an article a year ago in the Montreal Gazette, company president/CEO Peter Simons declares the company plans to open eight new stores over the next three years, investing about $200 million. Downtown Ottawa opened a few weeks ago (in what had been a derelict old former Ogilvy's department store adjacent to the Rideau Centre) and Mississauga and Edmonton are listed on the company web site as next to come. Calgary and other Toronto locations are mentioned for future expansion.
Atlantic Canada is not mentioned in the piece but one would expect the company would have taken a look at the market. Simon is quoted as saying, "We're trying to build a national brand."
It would certainly be exciting to see a retailer of this quality gamble on downtown Halifax, though the vacant Zellers/Target space at Micmac and Dartmouth Crossing would also have to be in the running. (Finding space at HSC would be a challenge though, interestingly, the upcoming Mississauga expansion has them taking over space from an existing Sears store.)
While Maritime Centre is certainly a desirable, high-profile location, the lack of adequate indoor parking could be a drawback. The MC parking levels are cramped and over capacity now. An expansion of the adjacent MetroPark with pedway connection may be a possible solution.
The Montreal Gazette article