The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[Metro-One]

Is that the shitty skytrain entrance on Granville being renovated?????

I sure hope so!

I also hope they discover what a power washer is and keep it clean!

[jsbertram]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Big article in today's vancouver Sun about the Bay's reno for Topshop/Topman and the new awning - WITH RENDER!

http://www.vancouversun.com/business...531/story.html

..

I'm wondering if this might presage what the renovated ex-Sears ex-Eatons in Pacific Centre may turn into - a 7 story building with a major tenant (rumoured to be Nordstroms) taking most of the space, with luxury high-end stores taking up full or half-floors of the remaining space.
Are we ready for someone like Harrods to open a boutique store here?

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

I'm wondering if this might presage what the renovated ex-Sears ex-Eatons in Pacific Centre may turn into - a 7 story building with a major tenant (rumoured to be Nordstroms) taking most of the space, with luxury high-end stores taking up full or half-floors of the remaining space.
Are we ready for someone like Harrods to open a boutique store here?

Hokey smokes!! Imagine Harrod's in Vancouver .... even Howe Street might take on a "Knightsbridge-like" tone and feeling......

[dreambrother808]

That Topshop/Bay render looks great. Work has already started in that area.

They've begun demoing the Seymour side of the Bay awning as well.

[Joat]

So many big changes coming to downtown's retail/malls/dept. stores.

-Bay reno
-Sears building
-New Pacific Centre entrance
-Robson and Granville corner development
-New stores all over Robson

Probably a lot more I'm forgetting. I cant wait to get back and see the progress.

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by Joat

So many big changes coming to downtown's retail/malls/dept. stores.

-Bay reno
-Sears building
-New Pacific Centre entrance
-Robson and Granville corner development
-New stores all over Robson

Probably a lot more I'm forgetting. I cant wait to get back and see the progress.

But at least 20 stores have recently left Robson and sit empty.

[SpongeG]

yah its quite the sight - i've never seen an empty store on robson in my 20+ years here

[ryanmaccdn]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

yah its quite the sight - i've never seen an empty store on robson in my 20+ years here

Agreed... its in an odd state of flux.

Rental rates are sky high and thus tenants that can afford it would normally flood in, unfortunately alot of the units are too small for those big name tenants.

Other then the old HMV spot where else could Victoria Secret fit ? Nowhere.... and CB2 must have been desperate if they chose to be near the moronic touristy restaurant row.

[cc85]

Originally Posted by ryanmaccdn

CB2 must have been desperate if they chose to be near the moronic touristy restaurant row.

Or they see the street evolving.

[SpongeG]

its a good spot - the west end residents that i know hate robson street and avoid it - this is far enough off robson that they can deal with it and still get back to their little west end without having to deal with the robson street people

[SpongeG]

all those little shops in the bay - in the skytrain corridor have been closed up, as well as that escalator that took u into the mens level, they have it all boarded up - same with diesel which is in the basement until i assume the new mens floor is completed

i wonder the plan is for that corridor... maybe some of the leasees inside of the bay basement will move in there?

also of note the bay downtown is now open until 9 pm on saturdays - i passed through around 8:30 and it had a lot of customers in there - smart move on their part

[LeftCoaster]

Robson will be just fine, as many of you are saying, it is just in a state of flux. My guess is some standard structural vacancy combined with the uncertainty of the Pacific Centre expansion. A lot of retailers are biding their time waiting for word on how much CRU space will be available in the new Sears space.

Too bad for them it won't be much...

Originally Posted by ryanmaccdn

CB2 must have been desperate if they chose to be near the moronic touristy restaurant row.

CB2 usually does that, they like to open in off the beaten path locations. It saves them some cash on paying to be in A1 space and it fits their brand positioning to be in unique spaces.

[ryanmaccdn]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Robson will be just fine, as many of you are saying, it is just in a state of flux. My guess is some standard structural vacancy combined with the uncertainty of the Pacific Centre expansion. A lot of retailers are biding their time waiting for word on how much CRU space will be available in the new Sears space.

Too bad for them it won't be much...



CB2 usually does that, they like to open in off the beaten path locations. It saves them some cash on paying to be in A1 space and it fits their brand positioning to be in unique spaces.

I agree to some extent... A1 space is out of the question for them in most cities but Vancouver its impossible. That business model for them must be a hard push here and I think it will be a struggle....Their target customer being caucasian 20/30 somethings don't venture much down that way...

I wish them the best.

[SpongeG]

you wish CB2 the best?

do you know what a cult following they have? they don't need to rely on the casual passerby - the same way IKEA can plunk itself anywhere it wants, so can CB2

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

you wish CB2 the best?

do you know what a cult following they have? they don't need to rely on the casual passerby - the same way IKEA can plunk itself anywhere it wants, so can CB2

yup they will do killer biz just like in TO. also Vancouver is still a "young" market for them in regards to the Crate & Barrel "brand" as CB2 is the younger home furnishing spinoff chain they set up. Once the BIG boy comes to town later this year @Oakridge and spreads out across the country that will only help CB2 ... not that they will need it!

[ryanmaccdn]

Originally Posted by hollywoodnorth

yup they will do killer biz just like in TO. also Vancouver is still a "young" market for them in regards to the Crate & Barrel "brand" as CB2 is the younger home furnishing spinoff chain they set up. Once the BIG boy comes to town later this year @Oakridge and spreads out across the country that will only help CB2 ... not that they will need it!

Crate and Barrel will be a slam dunk... I know that. Oakridge is perfect for it.

But I spend roughly 3 hours a weekend at CB2 and the traffic isn't there... also I'm sleeping with an associate of theirs and have heard they arn'nt meeting given sales goals.

[dreambrother808]

The Levi's store on Robson now has a for lease sign as well.

[Denscity]

levis and others like tommy h are dated brands that shouldnt be on robson anymore anyways. Maybe a strip mall in langley. Although levis makes skinnys which does bring them into the twenty first century.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by ryanmaccdn

Crate and Barrel will be a slam dunk... I know that. Oakridge is perfect for it.

But I spend roughly 3 hours a weekend at CB2 and the traffic isn't there... also I'm sleeping with an associate of theirs and have heard they arn'nt meeting given sales goals.

the home decor market is hurting - pottery barn has been shuttering or consolidating stores, same with restoration hardware

[SpongeG]

took these pics a couple weeks ago forgot to post them