St. Laurent Shopping Centre
 

An application has been submitted to change the IL (Light Industrial) zones and the GM24 (General Mixed Use) zone of these properties to a new GM zone to permit expansion of the St. Laurent Shopping Centre up to 125,000 square meters

Looks like a Simons store (Québec City Based) would be added (northwest corner) to an almost doubled St.Laurent Shopping Centre...

http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__7OTIRU

There is only one good place for Simons and it's in the abandoned two 4 storey building near Rideau Centre.

Betcha it is Simons. The site plan has an 70 or 80,000 sq ft department store on one level. That’s too big for an H&M, but quite similar in size to many of Simons’ stores in Quebec.

I agree that the Rideau Street location is better but if there is one at St.Laurent, we will take it...

Looks like it is a Simons according to this link:
http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image%..._Transportation_Study_D02-02-09-0054.PDF

You'd think they'd build a Simons in Gatineau before Ottawa, but I suppose they would have studied such a proposition beforehand and concluded St-Laurent would be a better location.

I guess Les Ailes de la mode did the same thing with Bayshore.

Anglos == more money. They thought that Les Ailes would work in Bayshore. That's why I find it more appropriate for a Simons to be downtown, you have all the QC folks, plus the trendier people of the market.

I agree, it would have been fantastic for downtown (in the location you described).

Indeed... It would have been fantastic. The stretch between the Rideau Centre and King Edward could afford something new... other than Tattoo parlors... A Simons store would have brought a couple of other stores for sure... Let's hope that the Rideau Centre potential expansion will do just that.

I guess that means they'll be demolishing the old Sears. Too bad, I kind of like that building, built in a time when the anchor stores were uniquely designed to have a distinct character. Originally the Eaton's it has a bit of Japanese style in it especially in the entrances with the shoji-like glazing. I think the horizontal strips imbedded in the brick used to light up.

I remember when the Bay used to be where the foodcourt area is now. it was also a cool building, one storey with a great big dome in the centre. The mall then was a simple "dumbell" design, but I guess since the mall opened at the same time as Expo67, it had some quirky characteristics that rubbed off from the world's fair. The sweeping central roof is still evidence to this, but I wonder how long it will be until they take that down and put a second storey throughout the mall.

Though I agree it's almost certainly them, I can't find in the document where it says it is Simons.

Here's the concept plan:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3773250537_c13a209f52_o_d.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/3774061590_1a30318aa3_o_d.jpg

There were rumours in Gatineau that the Métro supermarket at Les Promenades de l'Outaouais that closed last year would become a Simons, perhaps with a second floor added on top of the 30 000 sq ft on the ground floor.

In the end, the former supermarket became a huge (for this type of chain at least) Urban Planet store that just opened this spring.

I think Simons is on somewhat safer ground at St. Laurent than Les Ailes de la Mode was at Bayshore. The company probably does not feel that way, but east end Ottawa is still a bigger gamble than Gatineau would have been - they're a well-known name across Quebec and tons of people from Quebec City live in Gatineau. Whereas in Ottawa they have to make their name, even among most Franco-Ontarians. Plus, the chain has one store per 200,000 people in the Quebec City region, and a store in Sherbrooke which is a city of 185,000 people. The urban Outaouais has close to 300,000 people (and a higher per capita income than Qc City and Sherbrooke), so it would surely be able to support this kind of store by itself.

Not sure either if the "Quebec pride" factor will hurt them. Les Ailes thought people from Gatineau (most of whom already knew the brand) would flock to their Bayshore store, and make up for the fact that Ottawans needed a bit of time to get to know the store. That didn't happen, and I overheard many people in Gatineau say that they refused to go to Les Ailes because a well-known Quebec chain had snubbed Gatineau in favour of Ottawa.

Simons is probably on safer ground at St. Laurent though, which is a much more popular more shopping destination for Gatineau residents than Bayshore is. Though it's not a good a choice as Rideau, as others here have mentioned.

Anyway, if the St. Laurent store turns out to be a success, it is quite possible that some other Simons stores will eventually pop up in the region, likely at Bayshore and in Gatineau and maybe Rideau.

Aren't they going to have a parking problem?

Downtown would have been better of course, but I am sure St. Laurent gave them a much better deal than Rideau Centre would have.

Don't mean this as a diss but people aren't as obsessed with parking issues as they used to be. Most shopping centres in North America have hugely overbuilt parking lots, that are maybe completely full only one day a year like the last Saturday before Christmas.

St. Laurent has excellent transit connections, and also owns land I believe across Coventry Rd. near the Perkins restaurant that it can use for surface parking or even a new multi-level parking structure.

For shopping centres in increasingly urbanized areas like St. Laurent's area, too huge surface parking lots are a waste of potential money from new, valuable retail space. So you build up part of the parking lot with stores and then replace the eliminated spots with multi-level garages that take up less space on the ground.

Do you live downtown? There's a parking problem already at Rideau Centre and the Byward market. St. Laurent has massive amounts of surface parking. If they put in a building where the current surface parking is, no biggie, they'll just move the parking underground of the new building.

As you can see from the site plan, they are already accounting for that space by relocating Coventry Road entirely. I hope they are paying for this, not taxpayers. Parking will be a nightmare on that site, considering they are taking out the multi-level garage currently behind Sears, and proposing to build over the other two in the future

The portion of Coventry near the corner of St. Laurent Blvd. and Perkins appears to be remaining intact. Where the big changes are is in the area where there is that odd curve in the road and a sort of no man’s land towards the west, and then where the other curve is that goes towards the baseball stadium.

It also looks as though the mall’s footprint is expanding west towards the vacant land where the Cirque du Soleil had their big top last year, not too far from Elections Canada.

Bottom line is that people in North America are way too hung up on parking. If you’re living a largish, dense city, you’re not always going to be able to park right in front of the door of your every destination.

I am a lefty but if there is one thing I know that big businesses won’t do is shoot themselves in the foot. Morguard wouldn’t do this if there was any risk at all that more than enough customers to make the expanded mall viable could not have easy access to it.

I think in terms of personal preference a self contained store in the downtown area would be ideal, but St. Laurent isn't a terrible location either. It's probably the next best in Ottawa. It's close enough that Orleans residents will be able to get to it. It's not completely out of the way for Gatineau residents and many Ottawans know the Simons brand from Montreal. I just wonder how well the department store, mall model will work in the future.

Most Ottawans have most likely been to the stand-alone Simons in downtown Montréal. However, Simons also has other stores in the Montréal area, which are contained in malls and seem to do just fine, including the stores at Promenades Saint-Bruno in Saint-Bruno on the South Shore and the one at Carrefour Laval.

Also, keep in mind that for the most part, Simons is more moderately priced and affordable than Les Ailes de la Mode, which may also play a role in it's success.

I dunno, it's kind of out of the way for me.. however I have a wife from Quebec City and I will most likely be dragged here on numerous occasions.

At least we'll be able to visit the Kiddytown warehouse on St-Laurent at the same time. I am peeing my pants in anticipation.

Wow, that's a bold statement. I, for one, have never even heard of Simons, let alone been to it, and I'd be willing to bet that most Ottawans have never heard of it either. Should we start a poll?

Well Ottawa and fashionable people usually don't go in the same sentence. So I'm sure that most people wouldn't have heard of the store.

OK, I had to go look it up. And, well, IMO, fashionable (as in SAKS, Holt Renfrew, etc.) this is not.

Yes, fashion is in the eye of the beholder (or the wallet holder) but come on... is Ottawa really going to go for this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/3776228417_ef721c95f3_o_d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/3776228453_58c9562749_o_d.jpg

http://www.simons.ca

You haven't been to Paris or Milan recently haven't you? Also there are more higher end brands at Simons than Holt Renfrew. Plus Holt Renfrew is mostly for middle aged women that want to show the pink bag to their friends so they look like they have money.

It reminds me of an old coworker that put her Giant Tiger bag into the HR bag, because she didn't want to look poor.

But yeah, if you find that SAKS or HR are fashionable, you're at least 2 years old on trends. Simons has a reputation for NEVER having clothing in their store for more than a season. I got a 2009 Armani blazer for 75% off.

(sorry to being a prick, but I manage fashion shows and select models so).


This was presented at Rome this Spring. You can't even have the 2009-2010 glasses in Ottawa, or even in Toronto, I had checked for them.

http://www.simons.ca/DocumentLibrary/UploadedContents/Fashion/A09-H6313_1.jpg

When I lived in Sherbrooke, it was always full, even if it's a small town. What I really enjoy about the store is you may find a $1100 pair of pants besides a $40 one. It's like no one judges you about what you can afford, and they try to attract the best designers for every price range. I think the success is mostly that they have killer sales since you know they don't keep the clothing season for long. I remember buying a D&G shirt for $30 while it was still $275 at Harry Rosen's.

Anyways, I found an old article when it was assumed that one was opening in Eaton Centre.

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/companies/article.jsp?content=20050926_70881_70881

Maybe I should clarify. If anyone from Ottawa knows and has been to Simons, it's more than likely to the downtown store in Montréal. I don't think many people from Ottawa take the 2.5 hour drive to go to, say, the location at Promenades Saint-Bruno on the South Shore.

I hear this all the time and it always surprises me. In the past 25 years I have never had the slightest problem parking at either Rideau Centre or Byward Market. This falls into the "urban myth" category, in my view.:shrug:

No, but I understand that these large fashion-conscious cities are far more akin to Montreal than to Ottawa.

No offence taken.

To me, this is butt-ugly style. But then again, to the people buying this, my Levi's 501s and Mountain Equipment Coop GoreTex is probably pretty ugly too.

If Simons can make a business of selling this kind of merchandise, then good for them, but who *actually* buys this stuff? Is it the same people who are willing to pay $483/sq.ft. for a 393 sq.ft. unit in 360Lofts?? (see thread)

The stores are among the most successful in QC. So yes, the demand is there in QC. I never said that it would work in Ottawa. But if it can be successful in a 160k people town, it stands a chance. But I enjoyed living in Sherbrooke much more than I did in Ottawa, culture-wise.

I could never wear my 3/4 pants D&G suit in Ottawa. I would have been frowned upon. I have no problem whatsoever doing it in MTL.


I bet you haven't been to the Plateau in MTL either, or DT Toronto if you complain about the price per sf and the size of the units. :haha:


Anyways, this is something that you would never see in Ottawa either:

http://men.style.com/slideshows/mens/fashionshows/S2009MEN/RLMEN/RUNWAY/00200m.jpg


Part of growing up Ottawa is embracing culture. I was told once at work that my clothing wasn't appropriate for meeting clients. I told them that at least my clothing wasn't designed in the 80s. (at least a link to the Skyscrapers). I never heard from him afterwards.

I think it's more about "free" parking.

If a US-based fashion retailer (say, Macy's) came to Canada, would it do well?

:previous:

If only. Nordstrom's would be even better.

He is dressed like a girl...

Look, I know I'm far from fashionable, or know what fashionable is these days, but common sense tells me this is straight up ugly, and if dressing like that is "fashionable", then thank god Ottawa isn't "fashionable".

While you would never catch me wearing an outfit like this either, I actually think that this is one of the least offensive of the styles listed on the Simons website. It looks vaguely reminiscent of the "Preppy" style from the 70s and 80s.

That outfit is palatable only because the model is young and good looking. To prove my point, here's our mayor wearing it:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3779425781_3018ffb384_o.jpg

oooh so fashionable

That's the funniest thing I've seen all week :haha:

Just missing the Giant Tiger handbag.

I must report a similar experience. There is a problem with parking if you expect to park right outside the front door of your Byward Market restaurant or right on Rideau itself if you are going shopping at the Rideau Centre.

As d_jeffrey said, people think there is a parking problem because they expect free parking.

:previous:

I suspected as much - my attitude is that if you can't afford the parking, you shouldn't have purchased the car! Too many people in Ottawa are still in the "circle for an hour looking for the shortest walk" category. I suspect they would have stress attacks were Ottawa ever to graduate to the valet parking category.

Jacques will be so enthralled with scoring the first Simons in Ottawa for his ward that he'll be showing up at 110 Laurier looking like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/3781595654_23a2c03cf6_o.jpg

And Diane, in hopes of seducing them to put up their next store on Sparks Street to usher in the renaissance of the ailing pedestrian mall will don this fetching outfit:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3780782233_196e8c49e7_o.jpg

LOL, or it just shows that Ottawa people are really ugly and don't have style :P

There is nothing preventing older people of looking fashionable. My mom is still called a MILF by all my friends. It's a good compliment.

You should have put Diane's head on a guy's body, it is more suitable.

to be fair the majority of trends showed by d_jeffrey are called "fashion forward" meaning slightly more "avant-garde"

the following from simons are what would be considered "casual fashionable"

Yes, red X square skirts are all the rage this year!

There is almost always free parking available north of St. Patrick.

90 George has Valet Parking for $5 for 30 minutes. Outrageous considering 10 feet away there are usually meters available. I walk by there everyday and haven't seen anyone using it yet. Maybe demand will increase when the high end restaurant opens?

:lurk:

That would be nice if Simon's were to settle into Ottawa, it's usually the first place I go to when I arrive in Montreal (last Friday actually). Some of the styling on their website is too "Euro" for my tastes though. I see they've updated the underwear page... hmmm

No wonder Ottawa isn't considered "fashionable". 1) there are not any good stores, 2) people just don't care or don't have time, because they live robotic lives: sleep, eat and work!

We don't have that many, if any, nice high fashion stores. Ottawa is a capital city... we need these stores! ANY NEW store is better than nothing.

People are willing to blow their money on overpriced, few seasons ago items that never go on sale, at holts/shad/harry rosen and etc... wait, there is no etc... that is it!

Not everyone can afford to shop at those stores either, that is why people gave up on fashion... Fashion isn't American Eagle and Sirens/Urban Behaviour... A Simons store would be perfect! Like someone already mentioned, there is a pair of $1100 jeans beside a $40 jeans... It's up to you to decide what you want or can afford. And nobody will judge you, in case you have a sensitive ego. :P

So many people DO know about Simons. I personally have not met one person that has never heard of the store!!! Yes, people are willing to drive to Montreal just to shop at Simons and all the other stores that Ottawa does not have. People are also willing to drive down to NY to shop, because our city would rather have us give our money to someone else???

Plus, I am sick of shopping at the same stores, just so I would walk out the door and see at least 10 girls wearing the same thing!!! There are definitely not enough stores in Ottawa, they just keep re-opening the existing stores.

Another thing, I don't like the fact that it will be at St.Laurent. Do people still go there? No offense! Downtown Ottawa is small as it is, we need to expand... Downtown is where the money is at! What's next, they are going to open H&M on South Keys?

And regarding parking, parking in Ottawa isn't SO bad compared to other cities... (I don't even consider Ottawa a city, it's more like a town). It's not suburbs where you can complain to your neighbor for parking to close to your house (even though it's not your property). My neighbour called the bylaw on me a few times, for blocking my own driveway :rolleyes: Just for the heck of it... people have nothing better to do! That was one of the reasons I hated living in the suburbs and decided to move downtown.

No offense to anyone, but IMO the way Ottawa is "designed" is to serve retired and handicapped...

Paying for parking is normal. I wonder what would Ottawans do if public bathrooms were charging you 50 pfening per use, oh, and a few extra pfenings if you need toilet paper, like in Germany for example :haha:

Another thing, those abandoned buildings on Rideau, is a big shame! Would be a perfect spot for retail... or even some nice open concept NY style lofts!
But one can only dream :cheers:

Hey sky.high, your perspective is welcome and it's nice to have a girl on the Ottawa forum, welcome!

You've just rhymed off everything my wife has been saying for years. She's from Montreal, so it's understandable. And as a guy who grew up here I can confirm that we as a city lag behind, although in the last few years I have noticed that younger women are dressing much better and taking much better care of their appearance (or maybe it's me growing older :D ). My theory is that the younger generations are not polluted with the old-fashion "loser" attitude that was so common in Ottawa until about 15-20 years ago. One way or another, there definitely is a need for more. And more will come. The first ones to spot the need and profit from it will be the ones smiling wider.

In that respect, there's a bunch of girls on Dalhousie who run some pretty good shops and my wife is a big fan of Red Velvet's on Elgin. I know that for her birthday a gift certificate from that place will always be a sure thing. In fact, this is what makes Ottawa all the more charming: at this stage of its development, we don't yet have all the Big Names, but there is a surging number of boutique places run by people who do it for the love of it, and finding those beats going to a mall any day.

Agreed 100%. There are plenty of opportunities left for retail infill and they have to be aggressively "sold" to retailers. The Rideau Centre tends to want to suck everything into its confines, but they are not expanding any time soon. An interesting contra-trend was how Roots decided to bolt out of Rideau Centre and go streetfront on William (they later reopened another outlet at the mall). Dog knows there's enough sketchy retail space around Rideau Street that could probably be rented for a fair price. What it takes is a retailer who's big enough to not need a mall location (Simons, come on down!) to take advantage of a low-price opportunity and create a streetfront anchor on Rideau that will then make the "water level rise" for the rest of its block.

Ahh, the frustrated lament of unrequited love. Yeah, Ottawa does that to you. It grabs you and stomps on your heart. That's why we're all here. :D It's unbearably always on the verge, but we couldn't see ourselves elsewhere.

And dream is what we must do. Because dreams come true.

(you wrote at 2:54 am, and I'm writing this at 8:40 am, wide awake...)

When my wife and I moved here from Montreal in 2006, one of the first things she noticed is that most of the teenaged girls dressed the same and had the same hairstyle.

Maybe her perception was skewed from seeing so many assorted weirdos in Montreal.

The thread reminds me of the debate I had with d_jeffery last year about Abercrombie and Fitch. Those were the days.