Quote:
Originally Posted by Horsell
I didn’t realize that Bombay Co. and Bowring were looking for bankruptcy protection, if they shut down that means a couple of more empty store fronts in the Stavanger Dr. area. Add to that the incomplete strip where Golf Town is and it doesn’t bode well for retail in that area. What does all this mean for Glencrest? That could throw a spanner in the works.
For a population of our size, even if the drawing area is 250,000 to 300,000, can we really support that much retail spread over multiple sites (Stavanger, Kelsey, Mt. Pearl and Glencrest). It would be sad if this signals a shakedown in the industry, I have been to places in recent years (Florida for one) where the sight of empty strip malls and even a full enclosed mall paint a depressing sight.
|
What I find about shopping/retail in St. John's, is that these big box developments don't try to attract new retailers to the scene. They seem to focus on existing retailers trying to stimulate business by making access more convenient. Kelsey Drive seems to be the epitome of this, there is nothing there that is really unique to the site. Sobey's, Walmart, Canadian Tire, Boston Pizza, EB Games, Dollarama, etc...
There needs to be a key retailer that is unique to keep drawing people back to that particular location. On Stavangar, that is Costco. That Walmart probably draws on the widest population base in the city because everybody goes up there for Costco and "hey, may as well go to Wally World while I'm here and get that overwith". Without a unique draw I think there are a few of these developments that are going to fade out, and I think Kelsey Drive is the most vulnerable. Glencrest, if it does go ahead, will likely be easier to reach from Mount Pearl and is somewhat better located in the suburbs (ie: won't need to deal with Kenmount road to get there). Unless you live in Kenmount Terrace, there wouldn't really be a need to go to Kelsey Drive. Ever.
I have a somewhat irrational hatred for Kelsey Drive - as you may have noticed. It might be my least favourite place on earth.