[I think Crombie Properties will realize their mistake this winter when people have to walk outside when it's -30...they say "you spend less time waling in the elements", but in the old mall, you spent no time walking in the elements...]
Fredericton Mall reshapes image for big-box shopping
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com
Published Tuesday August 7th, 2007
Appeared on page A3
It's a work in progress, but Fredericton Mall's reshaped image as what the industry dubs a "power centre" is in full swing.
The mall is eliminating its interior corridors and giving merchants more space to allow them to develop their parking lot-facing storefronts into a big-box store style.
Mall manager Ryck Bourgette said the latest round of construction is preparing room for a co-ed fitness facility that will be next to Zellers.
The 2,160-square-metre gym should be open by the fall, Bourgette said.
Redevelopment of a larger space for Staples is continuing, with the office supply store slated to relocate next door to Pets Unlimited.
Once Staples settles into its new digs, its old location, which juts out into the parking lot, will be demolished and shaved back to create a uniform mall front.
Moore's men's clothing store will remain where it is, but will be redesigning its store interior.
"They'll continue to remain open, but they're going to stay the same size with a new store look," Bourgette said.
Music World, an existing tenant in the interior of the mall, will move into its new premises this fall, with its storefront facing the parking lot.
"We have two other tenants that are signed and ready to go. Both (are) ladies fashion tenants," the mall manager said.
The new stores will be 450-square-metres each.
Reitmans will be one of the fashion shops. Addition Elle will be the second ladies wear retailer, specializing in plus-size clothing for women.
Both stores will be ready for fall openings.
They'll be located alongside Moore's in the former Royal Bank location. Music World will be next in the lineup of retailers.
The Royal Bank is slated to move into a new mini-strip mall built where the New Brunswick Liquor Commission outlet once sat next door to Future Shop.
The bank is scheduled to move Aug. 24. Royal Bank insurance services will be the second tenant in the three-unit mini-mall.
Bourgette said negotiations are ongoing with a third tenant for that development on the mall property.
By eliminating the mall's interior common areas -- which are paid for on a cost-shared basis by mall tenants -- rents are reduced and the retailer gets the larger space they're looking for.
"Once you realize what's available to you and the potential for each of these tenants, there are a lot of retailers out there looking for this kind of environment," Bourgette said.
"The best part of all of this is that the parking is ample."
The advantage for customers is that they can park closest to their destination store and spend less time walking out in the elements.