(:: Atlantic Retail market - Major differences - National Retailers ::)

[ErickMontreal]

( :: Major differences : Halifax vs Moncton :: )

Halifax advantage

Shops and boutiques

Americam Apparel
Club Monaco
Esprit
Jacob connexion
Original Levi's Store
Sirens fashion
Talbot's
Lindor
Belts & Beyond
LA Express
Ecco shoes
Marise Petite
Lush
Please Mum
Ohsosoft
Banana Republic (Opening Summer 2007)
Buffalo (Opening Spring 2007)
La vie en rose (Opening Spring 2007)
Laura (Opening Spring 2007)
Backyard & Veranda
Tweed Hickory (Opening Spring 2007)
Liz Clairbone (Opening Spring 2007)
JYSK (Opening November 2007)
Birks
Build A Bear Workshop
The Bombay Company
Uptown Silver ( Linens N Things)
Cinnabon

Big Box Retailers

Sears Outlet
Mountain Coop Equipment
Best Buy (Opening Fall 2007)
Home Outfitters

( :: Halifax retail development / Renovation :: )

Halifax Shopping center : Renovation
Dartmouth Crossing : Over 2 millions s/f

http://www.halifaxshoppingcentre.com/
http://www.dartmouthcrossing.com/home/index.cfm

( :: Major differences : Moncton VS Saint John :: )

Moncton advantage

Shops and boutiques

Aldo
Access
Bootlegger
Boutik Electrik
Brass Decor
Cassis (Opening Spring 2007)
Children's Place, The
Clair de Lune
Coats Co.
Danier
Disney Store, the
D-Tox
Dynamite
Eddie Bauer
Envy
Fairweather
Gap/Gap kids, The
Northern Getaway
Panhandler, The
Quilts Etc.
Tommy Hilfiger
Sunglass Hut
Sony Store, The
Souris Mini
Yves Rocher
What On Earth
Nutrition House
Marie Claire
The Shoe Company
Bowring
Mr.Big and Tall
Sweet Factory/ Felix & Norton
Mexx/Mexx Kid (Opening Spring 2007)

Restaurants / Coffee Shops

Starbuck
Second Cup
Timothy's Coffees of the World
Kernels
Jugo juice
St-Hubert
Mega Wraps

Big Box Stores

Sears Home
Costco
Bricks (Opening 2008)
Chapters
PJC (Jean Coutu)
Princess Auto

Saint John national retailers that Moncton market does not have : Levis, Please Mum, Birks, Urban Planet(Opening spring 2007), Extreme Pita and Mrs. Vanelli's.

( :: Moncton Retail development :: )

Factory Outlets (2008)
Mapleton Road Shopping center (2007-2008)

( :: Saint John Retail development :: )

East Point Shopping Center (Under construction)

[brandenp]

Saint John has Build a Bear workshop as well,
Fairweather is opening this year @ EPSC

[mmmatt]

Im guessing the list of Halifax retailers moncton does not have..

1 minor correction: Thyme Maternity - 300 Main St.

Jacob connexion - Very Likely at Mapelton Power Center
MEC - Very Likely at Mapelton Power Center
Build-a-Bear - we have a similar store in Champlain Mall

besides that small error this is a sweet list, Thanks!

Edit: not sure yet, but Im hoping BestBuy will occupy old Future Shop *fingers crossed*

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

Im guessing the list of Halifax retailers are ones you suspect moncton does not have...

Thyme Maternity - 300 Main St.
Jacob connexion - Very Likely at Mapelton Power Center
MEC - Very Likely at Mapelton Power Center
Build-a-Bear - we have a similar store in Champlain Mall

besides that small error (Thyme Maternity) this is a sweet list, Thanks!

Edit: not sure yet, but Im hoping BestBuy will occupy old Future Shop *fingers crossed*

I made my verifications for the Moncton VS Halifax with Champlain place, First pro (Wheeler Power center), Mic Mac mall, Halifax shopping center, and Plazacorp as well as with the retailer websites.

Moncton is doing a great job for his size !

I`m sure Hub city will attract some of these stores litle by litle.

[someone123]

Cucina Moderna is a locally-owned business currently in City Centre Atlantic.. is that some other thing or are they opening a second location?

This list mostly seems to focus on chains, which is only one part of retail.

I have heard speculation about H&M opening here but it is just a rumour at this stage.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by someone123

Cucina Moderna is a locally-owned business currently in City Centre Atlantic.. is that some other thing or are they opening a second location?

This list mostly seems to focus on chains, which is only one part of retail.

I have heard speculation about H&M opening here but it is just a rumour at this stage.

True, this is a national chain list. I do not know the local market enough for those cities

H&M could be very great for Halifax.

[someone123]

I'm not a huge fan of H&M.

I'd assume that they'd open in one of the malls rather than downtown, just like Banana Republic.

Unfortunately, even if the high-end chains wanted to open on SGR they'd have trouble finding a place and it takes so long to develop new buildings that it's much easier just to go to a mall.

The a new building on the lot on Brenton Street or whatever could include a large space for a major retailer, as could a development on the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen (which is apparently desperately needed for a library, although there's no reason why that site couldn't be used for many different things).

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by someone123

I'm not a huge fan of H&M.

I'd assume that they'd open in one of the malls rather than downtown, just like Banana Republic.

Unfortunately, even if the high-end chains wanted to open on SGR they'd have trouble finding a place and it takes so long to develop new buildings that it's much easier just to go to a mall.

I would like to know if Halifax Downtown economic developement had pushed so to attract Banana Republic in downtown core ? Meanwhile, like you said, the Downtown has some problems to find some ways to attracting as well as to convince national chains to open stores in downtown . Maybe a chapters/indigo could help to revitalize this area. Like you said, the main problem stay the same. Where ? ...

The main retail street in halifax is Barrington or Spring Garden Road ?

[kwajo]

Two comments:

Are the lists supposed top be exclusives? Maybe I misunderstood the lists but for example Timothy's Coffee has at least 2 locations in Halifax but it's listed on the Moncton roster.

EDIT: nevermind, I read the lists wrong, I know see how I misinterpreted things, sorry about the confusion.

Secondly, MEC is one of my favourite stores in all the world, let us pray they don't set up shop in Moncton. That's like some unholy mixture of good and evil, I don't think I could handle it. Perhaps as a member/owner in the co-op I can try to sway against it

[alps]

Nice list thanks, I like lists like these, who knew we had a Build-a-bear workshop .

Originally Posted by HalifaxMtl666

I would like to know if Halifax Downtown economic developement had pushed so to attract Banana Republic in downtown core ? Meanwhile, like you said, the Downtown has some problems to find some ways to attracting as well as to convince national chains to open stores in downtown . Maybe a chapters/indigo could help to revitalize this area. Like you said, the main problem stay the same. Where ? ...

The main retail street in halifax is Barrington or Spring Garden Road ?

I really like the idea of the Chapters/Indigo downtown. I think that one of the problems is that because the business groups are trying to get all these specialty shops to locate there, there are few regular businesses that people use and visit often.

I think Spring Garden Road is probably more of a main retail street than Barrington (at least, it's busier in terms of foot traffic).

[someone123]

Originally Posted by HalifaxMtl666

I would like to know if Halifax Downtown economic developement had pushed so to attract Banana Republic in downtown core ? Meanwhile, like you said, the Downtown has some problems to find some ways to attracting as well as to convince national chains to open stores in downtown . Maybe a chapters/indigo could help to revitalize this area. Like you said, the main problem stay the same. Where ? ...

The main retail street in halifax is Barrington or Spring Garden Road ?

Traditionally Barrington was the number one shopping street, followed by Gottingen (up until the 50s or 60s.. back then the two streets were linked together). Today Spring Garden has much better retailers, the main stretch of Barrington has declined somewhat, and Gottingen has what amounts to only a couple blocks of decent stores (there are probably more businesses along Agricola).

The relationship between Barrington and SGR is similar to the relationship between Yonge and Bloor in Toronto.

On Barrington it makes sense to talk about "revitalization" but the problem on SGR is a lack of good retail spaces. Apparently there is a list of major retailers who want to open up on that street but cannot because there are no suitable spaces.

A Chapters location would be good for Barrington but again there is a lack of really good retail space. That's probably a big part of the reason why the street is not doing very well. If there are not enough spaces then there won't be enough stores and the street ceases to become a destination for shoppers and instead only caters to those who happen to be hanging around.

[mmmatt]

A few other national chains Moncton has that Saint John does not

Retailers
Thyme Maternity
Blessings Christian Marketplace
Bizou
Roger Surette's Golf Central (not really national, only Atlantic Canadian)

Resturants
Don Cherry's
Lone Star
Boomerangs Steakhouse (not really national, only Atlantic Canadian)
Buffalo Bill Wings (not sure if that is in SJ or not)
McGinnis Landing (not sure if that is in SJ or not)
Montana's Cookhouse
The Keg Steakhouse (opening 2007)

of course SJ must have some chain resturants we don't

[mmmatt]

just for fun...

Tim Hortons

Moncton - 28
Saint John - 20

McDonalds

Moncton - 9
Saint John - 8

Subway

Moncton - 12
Saint John - 10?

Burger King

Moncton - 2
Saint John -2

Wendys

Moncton - 3
Saint John - 3

Dairy Queen

Moncton - 5
Saint John - 4

Quiznos Sub

Moncton - 2
Saint John - 2

Pizza Hut

Moncton -1
Saint John - 1

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

A few other national chains Moncton has that Saint John does not

Retailers
Thyme Maternity
Blessings Christian Marketplace
Bizou
Roger Surette's Golf Central (not really national, only Atlantic Canadian)


of course SJ must have some chain resturants we don't

I may be out of the loop, so they may be closed now, but I know we had that maternity store and Bizou within the last year or two


I have a related question for you actually, it's about the amount of big box stores Moncton has. I know here in SJ, and I know people that live in Halifax that have similar feelings about Bayers Lake, a lot of people really don't like the East side because of all the sprawl of stores everywhere and the mess of traffic out there. I've shopped in the areas like that in Moncton and I get a similar vibe from it, so I'm wondering what the opinion of people in the city is over there. I would assume people would have all the same mis-givings about sprawl and box stores and traffic no matter where they live, but I thought maybe Monctonians might have a different opinion on it since they push themselves as a shopping mecca in their regional advertising.

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by kwajo

I may be out of the loop, so they may be closed now, but I know we had that maternity store and Bizou within the last year or two

I looked on the "store Locator" for both, on thier official websites. Saint John has "Bizou Accessories" as does Moncton, but Moncton also has a "Bizou"

Thyme Maternity - http://www.maternity.ca/

Bizou - http://www.bizou.com/index.asp?Id=Accueil&updateLang=fr

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by kwajo

I have a related question for you actually, it's about the amount of big box stores Moncton has. I know here in SJ, and I know people that live in Halifax that have similar feelings about Bayers Lake, a lot of people really don't like the East side because of all the sprawl of stores everywhere and the mess of traffic out there. I've shopped in the areas like that in Moncton and I get a similar vibe from it, so I'm wondering what the opinion of people in the city is over there. I would assume people would have all the same mis-givings about sprawl and box stores and traffic no matter where they live, but I thought maybe Monctonians might have a different opinion on it since they push themselves as a shopping mecca in their regional advertising.

Personally I would have rather they just expanded champlain mall, or made a new mall up there...probably the latter would have worked better. But this new "Power Center" thing is a growing trend all over north America, so I guess its a necessary evil, it has worked well in Moncton I find, at first it caused many traffic issues, but that has settled for the most part. Personally I enjoy shopping at Trinity, if I have a car, if not Id rather a mall. Of course retailers understand that most people with disposible income have cars, so it doesnt matter to them.

argh...friggin mooseheads just scored twice in like 2 mins lol

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by someone123

Traditionally Barrington was the number one shopping street, followed by Gottingen (up until the 50s or 60s.. back then the two streets were linked together). Today Spring Garden has much better retailers, the main stretch of Barrington has declined somewhat, and Gottingen has what amounts to only a couple blocks of decent stores (there are probably more businesses along Agricola).

The relationship between Barrington and SGR is similar to the relationship between Yonge and Bloor in Toronto.

On Barrington it makes sense to talk about "revitalization" but the problem on SGR is a lack of good retail spaces. Apparently there is a list of major retailers who want to open up on that street but cannot because there are no suitable spaces.

A Chapters location would be good for Barrington but again there is a lack of really good retail space. That's probably a big part of the reason why the street is not doing very well. If there are not enough spaces then there won't be enough stores and the street ceases to become a destination for shoppers and instead only caters to those who happen to be hanging around.

Completly agree with you, but at least, Halifax has the potencial to attract quality tenants in downtown core meanwhile others cities has problems to attract them in their town... I just hope the space problems that you mentioned will be resolved in the next few years.

[Wishblade]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

Personally I would have rather they just expanded champlain mall, or made a new mall up there...probably the latter would have worked better. But this new "Power Center" thing is a growing trend all over north America, so I guess its a necessary evil, it has worked well in Moncton I find, at first it caused many traffic issues, but that has settled for the most part. Personally I enjoy shopping at Trinity, if I have a car, if not Id rather a mall. Of course retailers understand that most people with disposible income have cars, so it doesnt matter to them.

argh...friggin mooseheads just scored twice in like 2 mins lol

Yeah, Dartmouth Crossing is a perfect example of this trend. It's absolutely massive, and its located next to the 118 (supposidly to attract more folks from towards the Valley and Truro, and cater to Dartmouth residents). So like you said, cars don't really matter to retailers as the place had many retailers eat up spots instantly.

What should be interesting with this development is the on site hotels, as well as the 'medium to high density' housing that is also slated for the area. Remind anyone of Bayers Lake/Clayton Park?

[someone123]

Originally Posted by HalifaxMtl666

Completly agree with you, but at least, Halifax has the potencial to attract quality tenants in downtown core meanwhile others cities has problems to attract them in their town... I just hope the space problems that you mentioned will be resolved in the next few years.

It is kind of a sad situation.

I have heard that retailers approached the province when a gallery left the storefront space at the bottom of a building on Barrington but they declined to lease out the space. Instead, they are putting in offices and a boardroom, things that could go on any floor.

The rationale is that they don't want to compete with private landlords, but if that is the case then why did they purchase an unsuitable building in a retail district? Either way, if I were a landlord I'd rather have a busy commercial space next door than a blank storefront dragging down rent values.

The province has also contributed to the situation with the infirmary lands, and the city owns a lot on Barrington that they have left vacant for over a decade.

Neither the city nor the province seem to care about the downtown area.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by someone123

It is kind of a sad situation.

I have heard that retailers approached the province when a gallery left the storefront space at the bottom of a building on Barrington but they declined to lease out the space. Instead, they are putting in offices and a boardroom, things that could go on any floor.

The rationale is that they don't want to compete with private landlords, but if that is the case then why did they purchase an unsuitable building in a retail district? Either way, if I were a landlord I'd rather have a busy commercial space next door than a blank storefront dragging down rent values.

The province has also contributed to the situation with the infirmary lands, and the city owns a lot on Barrington that they have left vacant for over a decade.

Neither the city nor the province seem to care about the downtown area.

They just do not realize that Halifax downtown is the heart of the province and is the financial heart for whole atlantic Canada. With Universities right in the downtown, Halifax stay a vibrant city but they could do much better than now. At some point, the Twin-Towers appeal is very critical for the downtown futur, they could open the doors to others great developments but those doors could be close for a while if they lose. Moreover, i do not know how Halifax could lose this mainly with their poor arguments and how could allow itself to lose 150-millions private investment as well. A city should help to provide economic opportunities but in your city it seem to be clearly the opposite.