[New Westminster] Plaza 88 | 33, 35 & 37 Floors | u/c

[DKaz]

I chatted with an old classmate from NWSS, she dislikes that Safeway was chosen for that site.

[SFUVancouver]

Safeway is the most expensive of the non-gourmet grocery stores (Urban Fare, Whole Foods), and there is a Marketplace IGA a block away. The River Market is also across the street, and railway tracks. Has anyone been there since it was relaunched?

[DKaz]

Safeway is a mixed bag. They're normally expensive but when they have sales, the sales are usually very good. I would've preferred Save On Foods or No Frills for sure, but most people will be dropping by to grab say a few stalks of celery and some fresh salmon fillets before they head down to the bus loop to make their final connection. For that purpose, I don't think Safeway was a bad choice. I'm sure the other grocers had a chance at the space and Safeway won the bid, they're not expensive for nothing.

On a separate note, I was in Banff for three weeks and it was either them and Nesters (like Whole Foods), it gave me a different perspective on Safeway. I was pretty grateful they were there.

[McPaul]

Theater will be open on Friday!

the neon sign up, the movie posters are up, the concessions and ticketing areas are coming along... it is by no means complete but they will be open on Friday! great news!

I'm in Kamloops for Mothers Day weekend but does anyone want to get together next weekend for an SSP movie night? Not sure if there are any urban development related movies playing currently, I highly doubt it, but a movie at a newly and nearly completed development is a good excuse!!

[ryanmaccdn]

Originally Posted by DKaz

I chatted with an old classmate from NWSS, she dislikes that Safeway was chosen for that site.

Safeway is perfect for that location... end of story.

Do most people plan on doing big "shops" at that location.... NO.

It's meant for a quick stop to pick up odds and ends... usually items that require freshness and shop ability. Thus Safeway has a great selection of ready eat food items and good variety on moderately priced items.

On top of that stores like No Frill possibly could not afford the rent for that location... and I mean really... No Frills is based off a model that sells product that is on the verge of expiration or over bulk buys of can goods/forozen stuff.

I'm sure its product mix varies due to availabilities and should not be counted on for having all the basics.

[McPaul]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Safeway is the most expensive of the non-gourmet grocery stores (Urban Fare, Whole Foods), and there is a Marketplace IGA a block away. The River Market is also across the street, and railway tracks. Has anyone been there since it was relaunched?

it's a Donald's Fine Foods now.

[SpongeG]

i went passed on the train today - the theatre was all lit up, all the signage - there was a number of people hanging out in the lobby and the doors were open

perhaps a soft opening?

[SpongeG]

as for safeway if u have the card and collect air miles its not bad at all - they often have deals where you buy two big things of toilet paper for like $6 each you get 50 bonus airmiles - and it only takes 190 miles to get two free movie tickets with popcorn and drinks

i know a few people who will shop everywhere based on the flyers, they waste all that gas driving from store to store to save a few cents

extra foods will match all flyer prices - i was happy (not) to be stuck behind some woman there one day who had to show every item she bought to the cashier to match all the prices in the stack of flyers she had

[McPaul]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i went passed on the train today - the theatre was all lit up, all the signage - there was a number of people hanging out in the lobby and the doors were open

perhaps a soft opening?

Yes, the doors were open tonight as well with people in the lobby. however I passed one of the guys that works there on the way down the stairs and he said Friday. so perhaps take that as you will, but I'm sure if they were actually open he would have wanted my business today.

[SpongeG]

they were all dressed up like suit types - maybe giving the place a look over, looked really good - the lighting and signage really makes the place feel better

either way there is still a lot of fencing there and will be a bit of a tight squeeze getting through there from the train to the theatre - i didn't really notice but i don't think the new stairs or escalator were open yet - they still looked fenced off

[SpongeG]

landmark hasn't listed the new west location on their site yet so no idea whats playing yet...

and apparently they have $3 tuesdays at some of its locations :O can u imagine if they will have that here! 7.50 tuesdays is good enough at cineplex but $3! woot

[memememe76]

I really like Safeway's fresh baked bread. I buy all my french bread at Safeway.

[huenthar]

Originally Posted by McPaul

it's a Donald's Fine Foods now.

I shopped at Donald's all the time on Commercial Drive and at Hastings/Nanaimo, one of my favorite local grocers, they have a great assortment of stuff and their prices are reasonable. I remember filling out a survey for the River Market a couple years ago when they were looking for an anchor grocer, and I recommended they choose Donald's! So glad they took my suggestion

[jlousa]

It appears the the complex (non-residential) was just sold to First Capital Realty.

First Capital Realty has announced the acquisition of The Plaza at New Westminster. The property consists of 194,000 square feet of gross leaseable area and a 422 stall paid parking garage. The project is fully integrated with Skytrain and a bus terminal. Tenants include Safeway, Landmark Theatres, Shoppers Drug Mart, Dollar Tree, CIBC, RBC, Starbucks and A&W.

The acquisition price was approximately $100 million with the potential for furhter performance incentives.

[SpongeG]

went by on the train again tonight - around 9 pm the lobby was completely empty except for two staff members just standing there

i saw about half a dozen people walking up or down the stairs to the theatre though

but do people know its open? there should be more activity going on there - its playing two of the biggest movies right now - the avengers and Dark Shadows

[SpongeG]

i noticed the bridge that goes over the tracks is up - i never noticed it before and you don't really see it from the train

third night in a row passing the theatre and only one person in the lobby around 9 pm...

they have a tuesday special $11.99 for movie and popcorn and drink - which is cheaper than cineplex if you plan on buying popcorn and a drink...

[s211]

Originally Posted by jlousa

It appears the the complex (non-residential) was just sold to First Capital Realty.

Was wondering which company was going to buy the retail component.

[tybuilding]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Safeway is the most expensive of the non-gourmet grocery stores (Urban Fare, Whole Foods), and there is a Marketplace IGA a block away. The River Market is also across the street, and railway tracks. Has anyone been there since it was relaunched?

I went to the market on Saturday. It was a fun outing. I checked out the shops, lunch on the patio of the Paddlewheeler, which was packed. I moved to 3 different tables to get a good one. I went for a walk on the Esplanade which is beautifully done with all of the flower gardens, I took the free tour of the Sampson V paddlewheeler. Bought a little bit of produce and then went back to skytrain. The market has a circus school upstairs. It sure looked fun like fun for the kids!

I noticed that the river boat casino is gone, when did that happen?

[SpongeG]

years ago, the casino combined their royal towers casino and paddlewheeler one and moved to queensborough

[McPaul]

http://www.landmarkcinemas.ca/new-westminster