[Moncton] Retail Thread

[OUIR@random]

This is a very bad business decision. Why are they opening another Pretzel store in Champlain? A snack/food tenant like Pretzelmaker is a niche product, they will lose half of their sales and will continue to pay a full rent/lease. If I was the pretzelmaker franchisee I would be livid!!!!! This is just ridiculous, this (Champlain) ain't a behemoth mall like the Toronto Eaton Centre or West Edmonton Mall... where 2 of these can survive in the same space.

[MonctonRad]

This is a smaller IKEA "pick-up & order point" that recently opened in Kelowna BC:

• Video Link

This is much smaller than the compact full service IKEA store that just opened in London ON, but still has a small selection of showrooms, and you can purchase commonly used items right on site. Sorry, no meatballs though.......

I am optimistic that either a compact IKEA full service store or a pick-up & order point may eventually come to Moncton. There is commonality between Kelowna and Moncton. Kelowna is only about 20% larger than greater Moncton.

IKEA wants to build their presence in Canada. They have however pretty much maxed out their growth opportunities for their larger full size format store. They will have to pivot towards compact full service stores or pick-up & order points for growth in mid sized markets.

If not a compact full service IKEA at Champlain Place, how about a pick-up & order point in the former Ashley at the Mapleton Centre?

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by OUIR@random

This is a very bad business decision. Why are they opening another Pretzel store in Champlain? A snack/food tenant like Pretzelmaker is a niche product, they will lose half of their sales and will continue to pay a full rent/lease. If I was the pretzelmaker franchisee I would be livid!!!!! This is just ridiculous, this (Champlain) ain't a behemoth mall like the Toronto Eaton Centre or West Edmonton Mall... where 2 of these can survive in the same space.

I agree. I might eat 2 soft pretzels a year, so I might just go buy one at Pretzelmaker/Mrs Fields just to show support.

[Leroy321]

This looks like the Emmerson Park retail development:



I wonder if it's still slated to begin next week.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Very sad news - Scholar's Choice at the Lounsbury Centre is closing.

The nationwide chain nearly slipped into bankruptcy during the pandemic, with only four stores surviving, including the one in Moncton. These were strategically located in all four principle regions of the country and served partially as local fulfilment centres for online sales (and as bricks and mortar resource centres for teachers).

That was six years ago. I thought the Moncton location was safe.

It was not only a sales and resource centre for teachers, it also had a broad selection of high quality educational toys. It had unique offerings. I was in there before Christmas looking for gifts for my granddaughter.

With the demise of TRU last year, the only choices for bricks and mortar toy purchases in the city now are Walmart and Mastermind Toys (and to some degree Indigo Kids at Chapters, and Clement). This is a tremendous change from when my own kids were small and there were over a half dozen good places to buy toys around the city, including some independents.

This is sad for a couple of reasons, the primary being that it is most likely driven by the fact that kids are spending time indoors and online rather than playing with toys and other kids.

It seems like the only way to survive in brick and mortar these days is to sell groceries.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by habs33

Chapters is going to have a coffee shop again. Brix is opening there
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS9VATudW/

Reposted from the Dieppe thread.

Excellent news. A coffee shop at Chapters has been sorely missed since they parted ways with Starbucks.

My son knows the owner of BRIX, and he has told me in the past that he was interested in moving into this space.

[DyAm00394]

Warehouse One and Bootlegger are closing down all their stores across Canada. Websites will also be shutting down and liquidation sales will start after May 15th.

This means the closure of Bootlegger in Champlain Place and Warehouse One at Regent Mall in Fredericton.

[MonctonRad]

Another blow for Champlain Place.

Body Shop is apparently closing.

Difficult negotiations with Westcliff over a proposed five year lease apparently.

The Body Shop locations at Regent and McAllister are safe.

Is Westcliff having delusions of Cadillac Fairview here? CF thought Champlain Place should be a high end fashion mall and treated lease negotiations as such. They finally gave up on this concept when they sold the mall th Westcliff. I guess Westcliff has the same inclinations (especially after recent successes such as JD Sport).

Westcliff should be carefull. Champlain Place has fashion mall tendencies, but, given the local market, can not rely on this type of format entirely.

[MonctonRad]

Yet more disappointing news for Champlain Place. The former Shoppers space was previously reported as being "under contract." Well, the contract is apparently for Spirit Hallowe'en.

No offence to Spirit Hallowe'en, but I had been hoping for a more permanent (and higher class tenant) for this space.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Yet more disappointing news for Champlain Place. The former Shoppers space was previously reported as being "under contract." Well, the contract is apparently for Spirit Hallowe'en.

No offence to Spirit Hallowe'en, but I had been hoping for a more permanent (and higher class tenant) for this space.

So is this just temporary? I thought they were more of a seasonal or pop-up retailer.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

So is this just temporary? I thought they were more of a seasonal or pop-up retailer.

It is temporary. This means there wasn't a permanent tenant in discussions for the space like we've thought. It was only Spirit securing the space again for this year.

[MonctonRad]

I have heard a rumour that Spirit Hallowe'en at Champlain Place will transition to "Spirit Christmas" after the end of the Hallowe'en season. As such the store may be open from September through to the end of January.

[MonctonRad]

I see that Nespresso is coming to Avalon Mall in St. John's. There is also a Nespresso in HSC in Halifax.

By most metrics, Champlain Place is the #3 mall in Atlantic Canada, and usually gets the same type of stores as HSC and Avalon.

Could Nespresso be on the way here soon as well????

[DyAm00394]

Dunkin’ and Foodtastic sign deal to open hundreds of locations in Canada


https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...to-open-hundreds-of-locations-in-canada/

"Foodtastic, one of Canada’s leading restaurant operators, announced Tuesday it has signed a master franchising agreement with Inspire Brands to open hundreds of Dunkin’ locations across Canada.

Under the new agreement, Foodtastic said it will have exclusive rights to develop the Dunkin’ brand nationally through both corporate and franchise-operated locations. This expansion strengthens Foodtastic’s relationship with Inspire Brands and adds a globally recognized coffee and donut concept to its Canadian portfolio, it added.

“Bringing Dunkin’ back to Canada is a significant growth opportunity for Foodtastic and our franchise partners across the country,” said Peter Mammas, Foodtastic Founder and CEO. “This agreement demonstrates the strength of our relationship with Inspire Brands and the confidence we have built together through our work with Jimmy John’s in Canada. We are committed to growing the Dunkin’ brand thoughtfully to meet the needs of Canadian guests and communities.”

The first Dunkin’ location in Canada is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027. Foodtastic will manage market development, franchisee recruitment, and operations in Canada. The menu will feature a wide range of hot and iced coffees, espresso beverages, teas, donuts, sandwiches, and snacks, said the company.

Foodtastic is a leading Canadian restaurant franchisor with a portfolio of 27 diverse brands and over 1,200 establishments across the country. Brands include Rotisseries Benny, La Belle et La Bœuf, Monza, Second Cup, Quesada, Freshii, and Pita Pit, among others".

[MonctonRad]

They are relying on franchisees for the expansion. This will be a tough ask, given the market dominance of Tim Hortons, and the continuing expansion of Starbucks . And, there are other competitors like Second Cup and Robins, as well as a number of independents.

Prospective franchisees will require sizeable balls and a capacity to withstand at least initial disappointment while they wait for their stores to become profitable. I predict the roll-out of Dunkin' across Canada will be pretty slow.

Having said this however, the Dunkin Donut stores that used to exist in Moncton when I first moved here were popular. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

They are relying on franchisees for the expansion. This will be a tough ask, given the market dominance of Tim Hortons, and the continuing expansion of Starbucks . And, there are other competitors like Second Cup and Robins, as well as a number of independents.

Prospective franchisees will require sizeable balls and a capacity to withstand at least initial disappointment while they wait for their stores to become profitable. I predict the roll-out of Dunkin' across Canada will be pretty slow.

Having said this however, the Dunkin Donut stores that used to exist in Moncton when I first moved here were popular. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Blueberry Commercial Real Estate shared this news on their FB page. Foodtastic is their client and mentioned they are looking for sites in Atlantic Canada that are perfect for Dunkin. They are the ones behind the Dollar Tree and Noodlebox expansion here in Atlantic Canada.

Also, Foodtastic said it will be both corporate and franchise locations for Dunkin here in Canada. So if they really want to open a location somewhere, they could run it corporate until a franchise owner comes along. And the CEO in interviews said that they plan for 1 Dunkin location to open every week.

[Taeolas]

Honestly, I think the par-baked branding of Tims might be weakening enough for Dunkin to do a return. Granted Dunkin isn't much better, but a proper major competitor for Tims is probably good for both companies and the consumers in general.

Regaining a foothold in Canada won't be easy, but if they ptu the effort in, it should be good.

[MonctonRad]

Jesus, Regent is getting Purdy's Chocolatier as a replacement for Laura Secord, abd McAllister Place is getting a Miniso???

C'mon Westcliff, its time to up your game!!! Champlain Place is falling behind........

[Sunnybrae]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Honestly, I think the par-baked branding of Tims might be weakening enough for Dunkin to do a return. Granted Dunkin isn't much better, but a proper major competitor for Tims is probably good for both companies and the consumers in general.

Regaining a foothold in Canada won't be easy, but if they ptu the effort in, it should be good.

I don't care who it is, just get me a drive through coffee shop on Hillsborough Rd. please.

[MonctonRad]

A week of disappointments for Champlain Place:

1) - we found out that the former Shoppers space is contracted for a Spirit Hallowe'en/Christmas rather than a new permanent upscale retailer.
2) - Body Shop is leaving the mall because of difficult lease negotiations. Meanwhile they will carry on at Regent and McAllister.
3) - Regent is replacing their Laura Secord with Purdy's Chocolatier. Purdy's is the current darling of the Canadian chocolate retail trade. Laura Secord meanwhile is hanging on at Champlain. Laura Secord is a tired and senescent brand, slipping into a terminal torpor,. This is a relative loss for Champlain Place.
4) - McAllister Place is getting a Miniso. This is the type of first-to-market retailer that would always come to Champlain Place first before showing up elsewhere in the province.

What gives Westcliff..........