[St. John's] Retail Thread

[Larla77]

Originally Posted by jondrover

Moving to Kenomunt Road.

Thanks. I heard they were moving not long after I posted as well. Loss for downtown. They were one of the larger retailers down there I think.

[J_Murphy]

Originally Posted by Larla77

Thanks. I heard they were moving not long after I posted as well. Loss for downtown. They were one of the larger retailers down there I think.

They have been there for as long as I can remember. Sad when downtown fixtures like this are starting to move to Kenmount Road.

[Sox]

I mean, call it for what it is, People do not go downtown St.John's to Shop ! It is wayyyyy too inconvenient , and for the most part, wayyyy too expensive !
The parking issue is a huge factor which keeps the majority of people away, and that is never going to change, and it is never going to get better. This factor alone, makes it an extremely uphill battle for any Retailer to try and survive in the downtown core.
People go downtown St.John's to go Bars and Restaurants, it is what it is --- I am frankly surprised that there are any Retail shops left downtown at all ! Why would anyone open a store downtown, knowing full well, that they are facing this everyday challenge ? I mean , it is not like the RENT is discounted to account for this or something ! Downtown rent is probably higher than most strip malls. So until operating costs come down, and the parking issue is fixed, it is my opinion that the Retail sector in downtown is only going to shrink dramatically over the next few years.

[Larla77]

Originally Posted by Sox

I mean, call it for what it is, People do not go downtown St.John's to Shop ! It is wayyyyy too inconvenient , and for the most part, wayyyy too expensive !
The parking issue is a huge factor which keeps the majority of people away, and that is never going to change, and it is never going to get better. This factor alone, makes it an extremely uphill battle for any Retailer to try and survive in the downtown core.
People go downtown St.John's to go Bars and Restaurants, it is what it is --- I am frankly surprised that there are any Retail shops left downtown at all ! Why would anyone open a store downtown, knowing full well, that they are facing this everyday challenge ? I mean , it is not like the RENT is discounted to account for this or something ! Downtown rent is probably higher than most strip malls. So until operating costs come down, and the parking issue is fixed, it is my opinion that the Retail sector in downtown is only going to shrink dramatically over the next few years.

My mom misses the large shops downtown still (Bowrings, the London, etc). But you're right - people go downtown mostly for restuarants and bars (and work). Specialty retail catering to the crowd living downtown does alright (Twister Sister, Model Citizens) but they don't have mass appeal. In the case of the Model Shop the expectations of women for bridal has increased in the last 10 years due to shows like Say Yes to the Dress. The Model Shop didn't have space in that location to cater to private appointments, etc. I got my dress there a few years ago and that floor isn't accessible and was small. They had to move or die.

[jjavman]

http://vocm.com/news/st-johns-landma...hop-next-week/

This is too bad. Another St. John's landmark closing.
Competition or location?

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by jjavman

http://vocm.com/news/st-johns-landma...hop-next-week/

This is too bad. Another St. John's landmark closing.
Competition or location?

The owner is just looking to sell, they don't want it anymore. But no one has bit on buying the place.

[KDMusic]

A few updates from the mall
- Alia & TanJay is moving to a new spot next to SoftMoc (Ardene's old spot)
- La Vie En Rose is moving to a new spot next to the new Ricki's
- And it looks like they have started construction on the expansion of the top floor for the Cineplex Rec Room

[rthomasd]

Next week's City Council meeting has the development proposal for changes to the Avalon Mall.

Changes -
The re-aligned Kenmount Rd entrance - with new buildings on each side.
The right-most section of Sears to be demolished, with new parking.
Second floor over Sears
An extension of the standalone building next to ToysrUS, is this replacing the Golden Phoenix?

Here's the plan.

[Larla77]

Originally Posted by rthomasd

Next week's City Council meeting has the development proposal for changes to the Avalon Mall.

Changes -
The re-aligned Kenmount Rd entrance - with new buildings on each side.
The right-most section of Sears to be demolished, with new parking.
Second floor over Sears
An extension of the standalone building next to ToysrUS, is this replacing the Golden Phoenix?

Here's the plan.

Looks like a good chunk of the sears is gone and they are building over the parking lot near winner's and Starbucks. I assume one of the new buildings is for Fog City who announced they were moving out of the mall into a stand alone a few months ago. I can't tell if the building to the right is the building h&r block is in or if that building is gone.

[KDMusic]

Originally Posted by Larla77

Looks like a good chunk of the sears is gone and they are building over the parking lot near winner's and Starbucks. I assume one of the new buildings is for Fog City who announced they were moving out of the mall into a stand alone a few months ago. I can't tell if the building to the right is the building h&r block is in or if that building is gone.

The city council agenda also mentions the "removal of existing free-standing building", so that is likely referring to the H&R Block building.

[rthomasd]

Perhaps, it doesn't appear on the new drawing.

Also heard that there'll be a bridge across the river between Woodgate Building and the Mall. Also that they are looking to move the Metrobus transits into one stop instead of two and have it around the old Sear area. Although it's more likely they'll move the one near Winners to the Sears area.

[IronMan]

Great find rthomasd!

Was also at the Aberdeen Walmart yesterday. They too have started the process to become a super centre. Clearance centre is setup and they are starting to move departments around - also have a sign on the front of the building noting the change.

[GarryEllice]

Originally Posted by rthomasd

Second floor over Sears

What makes you say there's a second floor over Sears? Looks like all one level to me.

[rthomasd]

That's what I heard from someone who had a briefing on the re-development, could be wrong. There are conflicting pictures floating around - one shows a new entrance ( very tall ) at the Winners/ScotiaBank area, but the development plans now posted show that they are bumping out that section to include all of the parking lot from the bus stop to the building, so that Winners entrance picture wouldn't be correct.

[KDMusic]

Originally Posted by GarryEllice

What makes you say there's a second floor over Sears? Looks like all one level to me.

I haven't heard anything about a second floor over Sears, but there is an extension to the second floor happening over the Scotiabank entrance in the back of the mall, for the Rec Room expansion with Cineplex. So someone may have mixed those two stories together by accident.

[goodgrowth]

It's sort of interesting that they are putting all this money into redeveloping the mall now because I thought it was the general trend that malls were "dying out".

I think I read somewhere that urban/upscale malls are the only ones really bucking that trend. So maybe that's sort of the idea here. Also probably helps that they basically have the only theaters in town.

[Brandano]

Originally Posted by goodgrowth

It's sort of interesting that they are putting all this money into redeveloping the mall now because I thought it was the general trend that malls were "dying out".

I think I read somewhere that urban/upscale malls are the only ones really bucking that trend. So maybe that's sort of the idea here. Also probably helps that they basically have the only theaters in town.

Apparently the Avalon Mall is the exception to the rule. I think CBC did a write-up on that not too long ago.

[Tommyswally]

Originally Posted by goodgrowth

It's sort of interesting that they are putting all this money into redeveloping the mall now because I thought it was the general trend that malls were "dying out".

I think I read somewhere that urban/upscale malls are the only ones really bucking that trend. So maybe that's sort of the idea here. Also probably helps that they basically have the only theaters in town.

Well according to the parking lot last Saturday the Avalon Mall is defiantly bucking the trend

[Offshore1]

Originally Posted by goodgrowth

It's sort of interesting that they are putting all this money into redeveloping the mall now because I thought it was the general trend that malls were "dying out".

I think I read somewhere that urban/upscale malls are the only ones really bucking that trend. So maybe that's sort of the idea here. Also probably helps that they basically have the only theaters in town.

A few thoughts on malls in St. John's:

I think the malls have a reasonable mix of stores that our somewhat homogenous population will support - nothing too outside the box.

Personally I don't do much shopping downtown - prices and parking being factors - and I don't think I'm alone.

Also weather - when it comes down to it our weather sucks for 7-8 months out of the year and it's nice to be able to shop at a variety of stores while only having to park Once.

[colinpeddle]

Originally Posted by Offshore1

A few thoughts on malls in St. John's:

Imo, despite what the parking lot might lead you to believe, our mall isn't that busy or hard to get around, and that's a big bonus. Even at the busiest times of year I've almost never had to wait on line anywhere near the lengths I have waited elsewhere in NA or EU, on just a regular ole weekend.

Saying that, the Avalon Mall holds a special place in the hearts of locals that I wouldn't think a mall such as "The Mall at Fox Run" has for the locals of New Hampshire.

Be it lingering effect (or perhaps affect-ion) from the "good ole days" before we had all these big box stores or because it's really the only game in town and St. John's folk love going to the best. Perhaps if there were another bigger and better mall on the outskirts of town the Avalon Mall would suffer. It isn't entirely easy to access via car if I'm to be honest and the parking lot is a shit show.

One observation I've made in my travels. Compared to malls of a similar size and retail value, the Avalon Mall's food court is one of the best I've seen. I've seen similarly sized or larger malls in the States have maybe 2-3 restaurants.. a cinnabon, auntie anne and perhaps a chickfila or popeyes.

I can't even count on two hands the number of restaurants we have in the Avalon Mall and this does a LOT more for the shops of the Mall than I believe anyone may realize. Personally, more than once I've gone to the mall solely for NY Fries and wound up spending 20 minutes shopping and spending money elsewhere.

And if there's one thing NL'ers love, it's fast food and shopping.