[SpongeG]

The Empire theatres space in Oakridge centre will become Crate and Barrel. They have received approval for the design and it should be just over 20,000 sqft-25,000sqft including the Chinese restaurant.



the empire theatre on granville street + robson - they are supposed to be pulling out once the lease is up

it used to house about 8 theatres didn't it? about 4 levels

[s211]

the empire theatre on granville street + robson - they are supposed to be pulling out once the lease is up

it used to house about 8 theatres didn't it? about 4 levels

And would have to be one of the last locations in the city that I'd consider putting upper-end fashion.

[webster]

Timmy Ho's going in at the base of the new social housing building at Pender & Abbott.

They'd been advertising it as a restaurant space - i was hoping for something that wasn't fast food - oh well

[hollywoodnorth]

Timmy Ho's going in at the base of the new social housing building at Pender & Abbott.

They'd been advertising it as a restaurant space - i was hoping for something that wasn't fast food - oh well

yup just saw that today .... they are moving FAST ... expect it to be open this month.

[hollywoodnorth]

the empire theatre on granville street + robson - they are supposed to be pulling out once the lease is up

it used to house about 8 theatres didn't it? about 4 levels

too small ... but would be a good location I think.

one space that would work well and is going to be vacant soon is the Downtown Post Office.

[officedweller]

yup just saw that today .... they are moving FAST ... expect it to be open this month.

They'll slow down when they start counter service.

[Denscity]

They'll slow down when they start counter service.

Zing!

[hollywoodnorth]

They'll slow down when they start counter service.

lulz :)

my photo of said location

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/379490_10151005188055066_687880065_21682648_473678721_n.jpg

[dreambrother808]

Whole Foods on Robson is expanding into the vacated, adjacent Three Graces store.

Apparently there is an unresolved, Robson-specific zoning issue with having too much street-level storefront though and this is part of why Safeway is on the second floor in that area.

One of the improvements will be a hot bar à la the Cambie location.

[jlousa]

Great article in this weeks BIV about Robson street. Looks like leases have dropped down to $160psf from $250psf not too long ago. There's mention of a luxury car dealership eyeing the HMV space as well, although I don't see how that makes any sense. They mention that Sears is only paying $2psf for the Pac Centre location thanks to taking over Eatons lease.

[officedweller]

Thanks for the Sears lease rate - that's 600,000 sq ft at $2.00 psf.

BTW - here's a reminder how big Sears' floorplate is - that's 7 storeys (mall level is a bit smaller, I think) => 600,000 sq ft.
Nordstrom's typical store is supposed to be about 200,000 sq ft. (?)

Pics by me today.

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/949/imgp1382s.jpg
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/949/imgp1382s.jpg

http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/8420/imgp1383a.jpg
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/8420/imgp1383a.jpg

[LeftCoaster]

And their lease runs until 2068...

[mezzanine]

that's a really green roof!

and i mean that in a bad way! :yuck:

[officedweller]

that's a really green roof!

and i mean that in a bad way! :yuck:

There are actually 2 small trees on the roof.
You can see one just about dead centre.
The funny thing is that the plants growing are probably the same types of sedums that would be planted on a true green roof.

[McPaul]

Perhaps it's because I'm new to van as of July, but I had NO idea that sears was 7 stories. None. What's in the other 5? Cause the mall is just two.

[hollywoodnorth]

Whole Foods on Robson is expanding into the vacated, adjacent Three Graces store.

Apparently there is an unresolved, Robson-specific zoning issue with having too much street-level storefront though and this is part of why Safeway is on the second floor in that area.

One of the improvements will be a hot bar à la the Cambie location.

awesome news! as the store right now is so subpar when compared to Cambie it really is a joke. I know its a Capers store that got taken over by Whole Foods but still it really is a stinker.

If only they could get the Bar and Grill space as well >> http://g.co/maps/ymg3s

when should we expect this reno/expansion to finish?

[dreambrother808]

Like I said, there were some issues with having too much storefront space on Robson. Not sure if that was resolved. The owner of Three Graces didn't have her lease renewed and was told that Whole Foods was the reason why. A Whole Foods manager told me about the hot bar as well as other hinted at improvements but seemed in the dark about the expansion. This was a couple months ago.

[SpongeG]

Perhaps it's because I'm new to van as of July, but I had NO idea that sears was 7 stories. None. What's in the other 5? Cause the mall is just two.

they have condensed it down to 4 stories plus the mall level - used to be 5 when it converted back to sears from eatons after the eatons revamp...

mall level - mens
street level - accessories makeup etc
2+3 were womens/kids
4 was home
5 was furniture/electronics

now its mall level - mens & Electronics
street level - same
2 - womens
3 - kids + home
4 - home and furniture
5 - closed
6 - clearance outlet
7 - closed

i think thats how it goes now - someone can correct me

[jlousa]

Seems right.:previous:

Forgot to mention that Bitter opened yesterday, it was doing pretty brisk business yesterday and will bring some additional life to Hastings.

[hollywoodnorth]

Seems right.:previous:

Forgot to mention that Bitter opened yesterday, it was doing pretty brisk business yesterday and will bring some additional life to Hastings.

awesome! when am I buying you a drink there? ;) :)

http://scoutmagazine.ca/tag/bitter-hastings-vancouver/

:cheers:

[peterprinciple]

How about Neiman Marcus to replace Sears at Pacific Centre? Or replacing HMV with Neiman Marcus.

[LotusLand]

Ensemble Tap opened yesterday as well:
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2011/12/ensemble-tap-dale-mackay-opens-today/

[Conrad]

How about Neiman Marcus to replace Sears at Pacific Centre? Or replacing HMV with Neiman Marcus.

I don't think the Vancouver market is big enough for another large, high-end retailer. From what I hear, Holt Renfrew already struggles.

[Van23H]

Holt Renfrew Vancouver competes neck and neck with Bloor as the number one performing store in the chain. It also is home to the two highest selling employees. I definitely think there is room for another high end department store in Vancouver, though I doubt anything more high end than Nordstrom will be expanding here anytime soon, Except for the addition of a smaller satellite Holts store. Louis Vuitton's store in Vancouver rivals the likes of the 5th Avenue and Las vegas flagships as top performers. Vancouver attracts wealthy immigrants and has a large wealthy asian population that produces large demands for these high end goods.

Also on a similar note... In YVR airport the duty free in the international terminal will be expanding and renovating its entire offering. Hermes will renovate its YVR store in January and will become the largest Hermes Airport store in North America. Also lots of high end stores are rumoured to be opening with the renovation.

[204]

My personal fear is that Walmart will try to get their hands on this location.

Care to elaborate on your "fear"? It's a store. Get over it. They are no worse or better than any other retail giant. If you look at most huge companies, you are probably going to find practices you don't agree with for whatever reason.

[s211]

Holt Renfrew Vancouver competes neck and neck with Bloor as the number one performing store in the chain. It also is home to the two highest selling employees. I definitely think there is room for another high end department store in Vancouver, though I doubt anything more high end than Nordstrom will be expanding here anytime soon, Except for the addition of a smaller satellite Holts store. Louis Vuitton's store in Vancouver rivals the likes of the 5th Avenue and Las vegas flagships as top performers. Vancouver attracts wealthy immigrants and has a large wealthy asian population that produces large demands for these high end goods.

The Harry Rosen here is also neck and neck with their Bloor store (for exactly the demographic reasons you outline above), even though the store here is measurably smaller. Believe it or not, there are people paying full freight for $2,000 - $2,700 cashere sweaters there. Crazy stuff.

[Conrad]

Holt Renfrew Vancouver competes neck and neck with Bloor as the number one performing store in the chain. It also is home to the two highest selling employees. I definitely think there is room for another high end department store in Vancouver, though I doubt anything more high end than Nordstrom will be expanding here anytime soon, Except for the addition of a smaller satellite Holts store. Louis Vuitton's store in Vancouver rivals the likes of the 5th Avenue and Las vegas flagships as top performers. Vancouver attracts wealthy immigrants and has a large wealthy asian population that produces large demands for these high end goods.

Also on a similar note... In YVR airport the duty free in the international terminal will be expanding and renovating its entire offering. Hermes will renovate its YVR store in January and will become the largest Hermes Airport store in North America. Also lots of high end stores are rumoured to be opening with the renovation.

Room for even MORE high end? That's too bad. I'd like to see a mid-range department store like Macy's to come to Canada. I wonder what will happen to all these high-end stores when the "wealthy immigrants" decide that Canada is no longer the best place to stash their money?

[officedweller]

they have condensed it down to 4 stories plus the mall level - used to be 5 when it converted back to sears from eatons after the eatons revamp...

now its mall level - mens & Electronics
street level - same
2 - womens
3 - kids + home
4 - home and furniture
5 - closed
6 - clearance outlet
7 - closed

i think thats how it goes now - someone can correct me

Yeah, That's 7 stories ABOVE ground - so really 8 stories in total - my mistake.

And The Bay is 5 stories above ground and 2 stories below ground.

[SpongeG]

was at the bay today around 1:30 pm - and it was so busy every floor was bustling with all cashiers busy with people

saks 5th avenue says it plans to open its off saks - their outlet store in canada - but they don't have plans to open a saks here - i wonder if they could fit in downtown somewhere

[officedweller]

Probably more likely at Tsawwassen Mills or another lifestyle mall.
Even the one in Portland isn't downtown - it's south of town on the I-5 at Bridgeport Village which is a high end lifestyle centre(Saks 5th Ave. closed its downtown Portland store at Pioneer Place)

[incognism]

A Saks Off 5th + Nordstrom Rack at Tsawwassen Mills would absolutely clean up.

In the same vein, has anybody heard if Holts would be interested in opening a Last Call at Tsawwassen Mills?

[Built Form]

Some various tidbits:
-The old Esprit store on Robson is a temporary lease selling yoga/fleece wear. The leasing agent is talking to 1 American and 2 Canadian retailers. They are looking at combining the space the perfume store Shifeon which is closing next spring.
-A new Fresh Slice pizza joint is opening up in the old Mobilicity space (Tobacco Patch before that) at 768 Robson near Chapters.
-Yet another pizza joint, Hell Pizza is opening on Davie near Thurlow; formerly a florist.
-Creme de la Crumb has closed their CBC location on Hamilton.
-According to this weeks Business in Vancouver the new Robson Apple store is taking all the space west of Forever 21 opening next spring. Eliminating the space devoted to Little Burgundy and Locale shown on the mesh wrap. The store could still be 2 floors.
-They've started work on the CB2 location last week. They've taken 10K sq ft leaving 6K to lease which is getting lots of attention. The developer has slated the Jervis/Robson corner unit for a coffee chain.
-At Denman Place Mall the new owners have begun their transformation of the retail mix. They've bumped West End Optometry (across from Topdrawer) and are looking for a national chain instead.
-At the corner of Robson and Homer, Curlique (the Blanche Macdonald make-up counter) opened on Dec. 3rd. Looks bright and airy with double high ceilings but a waste of such an important retail space.

[hollywoodnorth]

Some various tidbits:
-The old Esprit store on Robson is a temporary lease selling yoga/fleece wear. The leasing agent is talking to 1 American and 2 Canadian retailers. They are looking at combining the space the perfume store Shifeon which is closing next spring.
-A new Fresh Slice pizza joint is opening up in the old Mobilicity space (Tobacco Patch before that) at 768 Robson near Chapters.
-Yet another pizza joint, Hell Pizza is opening on Davie near Thurlow; formerly a florist.
-Creme de la Crumb has closed their CBC location on Hamilton.
-According to this weeks Business in Vancouver the new Robson Apple store is taking all the space west of Forever 21 opening next spring. Eliminating the space devoted to Little Burgundy and Locale shown on the mesh wrap. The store could still be 2 floors.
-They've started work on the CB2 location last week. They've taken 10K sq ft leaving 6K to lease which is getting lots of attention. The developer has slated the Jervis/Robson corner unit for a coffee chain.
-At Denman Place Mall the new owners have begun their transformation of the retail mix. They've bumped West End Optometry (across from Topdrawer) and are looking for a national chain instead.
-At the corner of Robson and Homer, Curlique (the Blanche Macdonald make-up counter) opened on Dec. 3rd. Looks bright and airy with double high ceilings but a waste of such an important retail space.

thanks for the extensive updates :) :cheers:

[SpongeG]

high street in abbotsford has a list of tenants opening


tenants opening in 2013

walmart
marshalls (first in BC)
old navy
cineplex
fatburger
+ banks and more food places

http://www.shapeproperties.com/sites/default/files/highstreet_retailers_0.pdf

[whatnext]

Liquidation World has already closed in the old RONA space on Bridgeport, didn't last long. That location is becoming a black hole for retail.

[SpongeG]

the LW closed in coquitlam too

they were bought out by an american chain BIG LOTS - i don't know if its part of their strategy to shut down the LW and reopen as big lots maybe?

[ACT7]

Holt Renfrew Vancouver competes neck and neck with Bloor as the number one performing store in the chain. It also is home to the two highest selling employees. I definitely think there is room for another high end department store in Vancouver, though I doubt anything more high end than Nordstrom will be expanding here anytime soon, Except for the addition of a smaller satellite Holts store. Louis Vuitton's store in Vancouver rivals the likes of the 5th Avenue and Las vegas flagships as top performers. Vancouver attracts wealthy immigrants and has a large wealthy asian population that produces large demands for these high end goods.

Also on a similar note... In YVR airport the duty free in the international terminal will be expanding and renovating its entire offering. Hermes will renovate its YVR store in January and will become the largest Hermes Airport store in North America. Also lots of high end stores are rumoured to be opening with the renovation.
For an airport with pretty flat growth for the past few years, a major international renovation seems too agressive. I will say this though, YVR punches above it's weight for retail offerings compared to airports of similar size and even substantialy bigger airports.

[SpongeG]

the retail is run by a spanish company that runs retail in many major airports who probablysets up deals with retailers to do multiple airports

....

jovene and sterling shoe stores on robson are closing down

[jsbertram]

How about Neiman Marcus to replace Sears at Pacific Centre? Or replacing HMV with Neiman Marcus.

With the ultra-cheap rent that Sears has there (thanks to assuming the Eatons lease), they have little incentive to move out of that location - short of the building being condemned.

[Locked In]

CB2 renovations on Robson - my photo (https://picasaweb.google.com/104250476900282174023/SummerFall2011#5685016460768113810), today:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f8DkX1Ad1qk/TuU8Wb5U9JI/AAAAAAAAEfs/jyKibMAL0QA/s900/Vancouver-20111211-00051.jpg

[ACT7]

Holt Renfrew Vancouver competes neck and neck with Bloor as the number one performing store in the chain. It also is home to the two highest selling employees. I definitely think there is room for another high end department store in Vancouver, though I doubt anything more high end than Nordstrom will be expanding here anytime soon, Except for the addition of a smaller satellite Holts store. Louis Vuitton's store in Vancouver rivals the likes of the 5th Avenue and Las vegas flagships as top performers. Vancouver attracts wealthy immigrants and has a large wealthy asian population that produces large demands for these high end goods.

Really??? I've never seen it anywhere near as busy as Bloor. Do you have some numbers or a source to back that up?

[SpongeG]

i love the windows - they were never noticeable under the ugly old awnings

[djh]

the retail is run by a spanish company that runs retail in many major airports who probablysets up deals with retailers to do multiple airports

....

jovene and sterling shoe stores on robson are closing down

Yes, supposedly the mother company to the chain that owns Joneve and Sterling is in near-bankcruptcy. I was surprised to hear this. They are, allegedly, going to be downsizing a lot, and you'll see more store closures very seen.

They are headquartered in Metro Vancouver, btw, I *think* it's Burnaby.

[hollywoodnorth]

a new chain indian veggie place going in by the new Tim Hortons at Abbott and Pender in the city retail space there. http://rasoee.ca/

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/388336_10150529745690649_21493250648_10517992_1233805700_n.jpg

pic from >> http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/388336_10150529745690649_21493250648_10517992_1233805700_n.jpg

[Built Form]

Really??? I've never seen it anywhere near as busy as Bloor. Do you have some numbers or a source to back that up?

I can also support Van23H claim. He's quoting an article in the Vancouver Sun over the summer. The PC store has always been a goldmine and when the opportunity came to expand they jumped at it. In fact they wanted the store to be bigger but there were space limitations.

[Built Form]

The old Bank of Montreal building at the corner of Broadway and Main will be a Cash Money in the new year.

[hollywoodnorth]

very cool and innovative idea going on at this retail unit on Union Street in Downtown Vancouver ... my photo should speak for itself

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393463_10151034662940066_687880065_21771784_1707578522_n.jpg

and there is still time to contribute ... current vote is for the name >> http://thisspace.ca/?p=1533

[vancity2010]

A new restaurant has opened on Hornby and Dunsmuir previously occupied by The Keg.

[webster]

A new restaurant has opened on Hornby and Dunsmuir previously occupied by The Keg.

maybe Brandi's expanded :D

[ckkelley]

A new restaurant has opened on Hornby and Dunsmuir previously occupied by The Keg.

Wow, I swear I walked by there recently and it looked ghost-townishly abandoned.

[sacrifice333]

Wow, I swear I walked by there recently and it looked ghost-townishly abandoned.

What's it called? Haven't walked that stretch in a bit...

[SpongeG]

that intersection always feels so dark

[ckkelley]

What's it called? Haven't walked that stretch in a bit...

Oh yeah, I don't know. What I meant was that it still looked abandoned from the Keg days. And rather forlorn at that.

[trofirhen]

Wow, I swear I walked by there recently and it looked ghost-townishly abandoned.

that intersection always feels so dark

:previous:
That area needs a real "anchor" of some sort to bring it alive. I remember it as dark and empty, also. Maybe the new "Credit Suisse" tower nearby will have street level facilities open at night that will help alleviate that.

[SpongeG]

even the starbucks doesn't seem like its there if you get what i mean...

metrotown seems pretty full now, other than that one weird store near winners homesense which for some reason never seems to be taken over, there isn't really any empty space - volcom opened there quietly i think its the first vancouver store

i noticed there is a pharmacy opening just east of the mall sort of down the street from where that bread garden is - i can't remember what brand it will be but some retail should bring more pedestrians than the offices it used to be

[Locked In]

What's it called? Haven't walked that stretch in a bit...

It's called "Trader's" I think. My girlfriend's colleague went today - apparently the food was bad and the service was so slow they got their meal comped! Doesn't sound like much work has been done on the interior either. Disappointing. I wonder if there's any hope for this site being redeveloped?

:previous:
That area needs a real "anchor" of some sort to bring it alive. I remember it as dark and empty, also. Maybe the new "Credit Suisse" tower nearby will have street level facilities open at night that will help alleviate that.

Credit Suisse is a block away in each direction (at an intersection that's already pretty lively during the workweek, incidentally). I doubt it would affect this corner much.

[Conrad Yablonski]

very cool and innovative idea going on at this retail unit on Union Street in Downtown Vancouver ...

I saw the same idea somewhere else in the city just this week-typical realtor's gimmick.

[Prometheus]

Dare to dream?


Sears, Kmart to shut 100-120 stores

By Chris Isidore@CNNMoneyDecember 27, 2011: 10:29 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Sears Holdings on Tuesday reported a sharp drop in holiday sales compared to a year ago, and said the results will force it to close 100 to 120 Sears and Kmart stores.

The stores to be closed have yet to be identified. The company is one of the nation's largest retailers with more than 4,000 stores in the United States and Canada.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/27/news/companies/sears_kmart_closings/index.htm?hpt=hp_t1

[trofirhen]

Dare to dream?


Sears, Kmart to shut 100-120 stores

By Chris Isidore@CNNMoneyDecember 27, 2011: 10:29 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Sears Holdings on Tuesday reported a sharp drop in holiday sales compared to a year ago, and said the results will force it to close 100 to 120 Sears and Kmart stores.

The stores to be closed have yet to be identified. The company is one of the nation's largest retailers with more than 4,000 stores in the United States and Canada.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/27/news/companies/sears_kmart_closings/index.htm?hpt=hp_t1
:previous::previous::previous:

Yes, I suppose this has a lot of people wondering about Sears Pacific Centre. Will another retailer go in if they close? And if so, will they scrub the walls?

(Personally, I'd like to that building demolished and replaced with something akin to Seattle's Westlake Center, but that, dear friends, is another fantasy .......) ;)

[cc85]

I suspect the Sears that are to close will primarily be in the states, if not all. Canada does not have as much large-format retail to compete against Seats as there is in the states.

[jlousa]

Even if Sears Canada does close some locations and I'm sure some will close I don't think the Pac Centre one will be on that list. If they get desperate enough for cash though, I suspect they could offload that location for some funds.

Tim Hortons appears to have opened at some point last weekend at Pender and Abbott. Already very busy.

[SpongeG]

just saw on CBC news - that the sears canada stores will not be affected by these closures

oh well

[AverageJoe]

Tim Hortons appears to have opened at some point last weekend at Pender and Abbott. Already very busy.

The Tim Hortons opened up the previous weekend sometime Dec 17-18. As far as I can tell it's attracting a much different clientele than the McDonald's across the street. With Tim's lighting and the construction of the glass roof and facade on that building Pender and Abbott has brightened up significantly. It looks great.

[jlousa]

I walked by on the 21st and it was still closed so it would've been somepoint after that.:shrug:

[peterprinciple]

[QUOTE=jlousa;5529569]Even if Sears Canada does close some locations and I'm sure some will close I don't think the Pac Centre one will be on that list. If they get desperate enough for cash though, I suspect they could offload that location for some funds.

The sooner Sears is gone from Pac Centre the better. Sears is nothing more than a Zellers now. Tacky store to have as a flagship for Vancouver's premiere mall. I want a Macy's there or a Harrod's. Yeah Harrod's!

[hollywoodnorth]

great news!

Empire Theatres Oakridge Cinemas is closing. Our last shows will run Monday, January 2nd.

http://www.empiretheatres.com/theatres/vancouver-empire-oakridge-cinemas

[officedweller]

The sooner Sears is gone from Pac Centre the better. Sears is nothing more than a Zellers now. Tacky store to have as a flagship for Vancouver's premiere mall. I want a Macy's there or a Harrod's. Yeah Harrod's!

Remember what market you're dealing with -

Woodward's went upscale and went into bankruptcy as a result.
Eatons went upscale and went into bankruptcy as a result.
Sears tried to preserve eatons as an upscale brand and failed.
Even in the 1980s in Ontario, The Bay tried to preserve Simpsons as an upscale brand and eventually folded it into The Bay.

[Joat]

Did a render of the new entrance to the Pacific Centre ever come out?

[hollywoodnorth]

I walked by on the 21st and it was still closed so it would've been somepoint after that.:shrug:

they opened on Thursday the 22nd. they will be 24/7 soon I'm told. for now they are 5am to 2 am

[Built Form]

^Coincidentally I took this pic on the 22nd. Didn't know it was there grand opening.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1050086.jpg
pic by Built Form

[Built Form]

982 Granville was sub-divided again taking away the staircase from the larger corner space. I'm sure it was purpose built to be a restaurant, the rumour was Earls for a while. Except for Male Essentials it's all still for lease. Hopefully it wont ever be yet another bar!

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1050093.jpg
pic by Built Form


A couple of doors down they are adding another floor to what was supposed to be only 2. They must have a tenant they're expanding it for.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1050095.jpg
pic by Built Form

[osirisboy]

That'll be great to have tims open 24/7

I noticed last week that they have opened up the two retail spaces in the Jameson, anyone know what might be going in there?

[Waders]

Sleep Country will be opening at the old A&B Sound location in Burnaby at McKay Ave. and Kingsway. Not sure whether they will vacate the Station Square location.
I was chatting with a McDonald staff inside Save On Food. He mentioned the Station Square redevelopment application is being processed by the City and tenant like Save On Food has been informed once the first new highrise building is completed along Kingsway around 2013, they will need to move.

[Conrad]

Remember what market you're dealing with -

Woodward's went upscale and went into bankruptcy as a result.
Eatons went upscale and went into bankruptcy as a result.
Sears tried to preserve eatons as an upscale brand and failed.
Even in the 1980s in Ontario, The Bay tried to preserve Simpsons as an upscale brand and eventually folded it into The Bay.


Yes, but apparently there are people on this forum who believe that Vancouver can sustain tons of high-end retail because of all the "wealthy foreigners" who live here. I don't know either way. Personally, I would hate to see a another high-end retailer with unattainable merchandise occupy the Sears building. We already have Holt's and expanding Louis Vuitton etc. Macy's would be great though, because average people can afford to shop there.

I don't know about Woodwards, but Eaton's was in trouble long before they tried going high-end. From what I understand, Timothy Eaton's sons treated the company like a cash machine and ran it into the ground. By then it was too late.

[officedweller]

There was that article that said that Holt's Vancouver makes a killing from its foreign Asian customers but that store is still relatively small compared to a full-sized department store. You also need something that doesn't alienate the local population.


A couple of doors down they are adding another floor to what was supposed to be only 2. They must have a tenant they're expanding it for.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1050095.jpg
pic by Built Form

This site would be awesome for a "reduced presence" HMV store.
Not many stores have 3 levels. Maybe another Anthropologie?

[officedweller]

Taylor's Crossing in North Vancouver has closed - that was a Mark James restaurant / pub - the microbrewery and liquor store wuill remain open.

http://www.nsnews.com/story.html?id=5929523

[incognism]

Sleep Country will be opening at the old A&B Sound location in Burnaby at McKay Ave. and Kingsway. Not sure whether they will vacate the Station Square location.
I was chatting with a McDonald staff inside Save On Food. He mentioned the Station Square redevelopment application is being processed by the City and tenant like Save On Food has been informed once the first new highrise building is completed along Kingsway around 2013, they will need to move.

Didn't realize that Nood had closed down in that space. Thanks for the update.

[hollywoodnorth]

Didn't realize that Nood had closed down in that space. Thanks for the update.

ouch ... looks like the Langley location as well as 1 of 2 Calgary locations have closed in addition to the Metrotown one. So they are down to 4 locations in Canada. Vancouver, North Van, Calgary and Victoria. They are originally from New Zealand.

[Waders]

Nood's Metrotown location was only closed about 2 or 3 months ago.

Talking about store closure, Mark's Work Wearhouse will close their Brentwood mall location after tomorrow(Dec. 31).

[Van23H]

Robson UPDATE! Tommy Hilfiger on Robson Street has closed and the hoarding and signage for J Crew should be going up tomorrow.

[SpongeG]

marks is opening up in the former barnes wheaton on lougheed hwy in coquitlam, next to IKEA, the dealership is being converted to a new shopping place with the dealership divided into smaller stores - they added onto the main building where it seems Marks will go and have built a new structure in the parking lot close to the mcdonalds, that means the old marks next to winners will probably close when the new one opens

also starbucks is opening soon next to the new white spot in the home depot parking lot on united blvd, it will have a drive thru - its about time that area got a starbucks, the tim hortons there seems to always being doing well, being a drive thru they will get a lot of commuter traffic

[SpongeG]

a couple shops have closed at metrotown or were closed today, cara a makeup place and some skate and ski shop near UB - looks like zumiez was too much for them perhaps

Urban behaviour at coq centre and lougheed mall are completely closed off and gone, I wonder how long the metrotown store will last

[LeftCoaster]

just saw on CBC news - that the sears canada stores will not be affected by these closures

oh well

Yes Sears Canada is a separate operating entity from their US counterpart, but financial hardship on their US parent will still effect Canada. If the US operation is under hard up for cash they will be more likely to offload some of their Canadian assets. One can only hope this happens.

Macy's would be great though, because average people can afford to shop there.

Nordstrom is in a similar bracket, between the Bay and Holt Renfrew. Should be a welcome addition to the Canadian retail scene.

[wrenegade]

Taylor's Crossing in North Vancouver has closed - that was a Mark James restaurant / pub - the microbrewery and liquor store wuill remain open.

http://www.nsnews.com/story.html?id=5929523

Wow, that's surprising to see. Sad, I liked that place. Was a great place to go watch a game, and it was usually packed too!

[sacrifice333]

Wow, that's surprising to see. Sad, I liked that place. Was a great place to go watch a game, and it was usually packed too!

Was also under the impression that Cactus had taken it over not too long ago... but maybe that was misinformation.

[Conrad]

Nordstrom is in a similar bracket, between the Bay and Holt Renfrew. Should be a welcome addition to the Canadian retail scene.

Agreed. I'd be happy to see Nordrom occupy the Sears space. Higher end, but still attainable. Not outrageous like Holt's.

[officedweller]

A couple of doors down they are adding another floor to what was supposed to be only 2. They must have a tenant they're expanding it for.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1050095.jpg
pic by Built Form

Project: Addition to Commercial Building Status: Proposed
Location: 950 GRANVILLE ST Zoning: DD
Project Type: Addition / Alteration Department: Planning Department
Application Date: 2011/06/06 No: DE414894
City Contact: Joe Bosnjak 604-873-7755 joe.bosnjak@vancouver.ca
Applicant Contact: TOMAS WOLF STUDIO ONE ARCHITECTURE INC. 604 731 3966
Description: Addition of 4,824 square feet to create a new 3rd floor to the existing commercial building on this site.
http://cfapp.vancouver.ca/planning_wa/index.cfm?SelectTypeID=1

So 4,824 sq ft on third level, maybe a bit less on the others, yields about 14,000 sq ft in total if it's one tenant.

[hollywoodnorth]

I heard back from Whole Foods in regards to the potential expansion of the Robson store and they said this ... typical city crap


Unfortunately city by-laws prevent us from expanding our store into the retail space next door. we are currently looking for a suitable tenant to lease the space from us.

and


It is true that we are much smaller then the Cambie Whole Foods and do not carry the same number of products. Our location was originally a Capers store and designed to have a much smaller footprint then the Cambie Whole Foods and the Whole Foods store you see in the United States. We were acquired by Whole Foods in 2007.

Saying that, we would love to expand our floor space and add new venues to our shopping experience. Unfortunately the City of Vancouver has very specific by-laws about how much street front space a single location can take up on Robson St.

[officedweller]

Is the upper floor retail space in The Ritz (Coal Harbour) still available?

[ckkelley]

The upper floor is still available. The second floor was leased recently but no indication of what just yet.

[SpongeG]

I heard back from Whole Foods in regards to the potential expansion of the Robson store and they said this ... typical city crap


Unfortunately city by-laws prevent us from expanding our store into the retail space next door. we are currently looking for a suitable tenant to lease the space from us.

and


It is true that we are much smaller then the Cambie Whole Foods and do not carry the same number of products. Our location was originally a Capers store and designed to have a much smaller footprint then the Cambie Whole Foods and the Whole Foods store you see in the United States. We were acquired by Whole Foods in 2007.

Saying that, we would love to expand our floor space and add new venues to our shopping experience. Unfortunately the City of Vancouver has very specific by-laws about how much street front space a single location can take up on Robson St.


if the movie theatre were to move out of denman place mall would it be a bigger space for whole foods than their robson space?

[SpongeG]

Target announces first 24 stores in Canada; initial openings all in Ontario

screw you target i am boycotting you now lol

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/target-december-sales-rise-miss-expectations-lowers-4th-192743111.html

[Waders]

Underground Clothing at Metropolis will be closed after Jan. 15. They will no longer have any store in BC so you will have to buy from their online store.

[whiteshadow]

Vancouver's getting its first Lego store, sometime this spring. Its going into Oakridge Mall.

http://www.oakridgecentre.com/store/lego

See also: http://jobsatlego.com/ca/vancouver/retail/store-manager-vancouver-jobs

Got most of this info from www.toysnbricks.com.

[Conrad Yablonski]

Fourth Avenue in Kitsilano is looking terrible these days-empty store fronts stand out like missing teeth some are papered some are just empty others a mess-it's interesting to see how much shows when a person takes the bus as opposed to driving.

I also note that crowds were way down during the holiday season-the groups of young people from the suburbs we used to see were thin on the ground.

[dreambrother808]

Saying that, we would love to expand our floor space and add new venues to our shopping experience. Unfortunately the City of Vancouver has very specific by-laws about how much street front space a single location can take up on Robson St.


Yeah, I was told that they were working on that issue. I guess they gave up. Safeway dealt with it by putting itself on the second floor. I wonder if they would have bothered with a multi-level design otherwise.

Sadly, the owner of Three Graces needlessly closed her business at the Whole Foods site. She seemed rather disappointed at the time.

[Denscity]

Target announces first 24 stores in Canada; initial openings all in Ontario

screw you target i am boycotting you now lol

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/target-december-sales-rise-miss-expectations-lowers-4th-192743111.html

Target wants to open a store here in Castlegar. We don't even have a walmart. This would be huge for us! Some people drive over three hours to kelowna just for a pair of jeans!

[jozero]

Vancouver's getting its first Lego store, sometime this spring. Its going into Oakridge Mall.

http://www.oakridgecentre.com/store/lego

See also: http://jobsatlego.com/ca/vancouver/retail/store-manager-vancouver-jobs

Got most of this info from www.toysnbricks.com.

Thanks for the info ! I'm a huge lego nut. If you haven't checked lego lately you should. They clued in a few years ago they have plenty of adult fans and have released sets tuned to them. I'm building an urban lego city in my basement.

Check out the Modular Building Series :
http://search2.lego.com/exec/?q=modular%20buildings&pt=&lang=2057&cc=US&u=legojozero
The Trains (which are motorized) :
http://search2.lego.com/exec/?q=trains&pt=&lang=2057&cc=US&u=legojozero

And of course since its lego, your imagination only limits the kind of buildings you can build.

[whatnext]

Fourth Avenue in Kitsilano is looking terrible these days-empty store fronts stand out like missing teeth some are papered some are just empty others a mess-it's interesting to see how much shows when a person takes the bus as opposed to driving.

I also note that crowds were way down during the holiday season-the groups of young people from the suburbs we used to see were thin on the ground.

There's really very little reason for people, young or otherwise, to come into downtown Vancouver for retail. Pretty much everything is available in their own town, from retail to coffee shops, to trendy restaurants. Why pay for the privilege being accosted by beggars while you do your shopping etc.? All we need now is a misguided congestion tax to totally kill whatever appeal is left.

As to Fourth, are you talking about the 2000 block where Sophie's is? There's a lot of empty store fronts there due to that one old block slated for demolition.

[GeeCee]

Vancouver's getting its first Lego store, sometime this spring. Its going into Oakridge Mall.

http://www.oakridgecentre.com/store/lego

See also: http://jobsatlego.com/ca/vancouver/retail/store-manager-vancouver-jobs

Got most of this info from www.toysnbricks.com.

omg

omg

:banana: