Canadian Retail Thread

[SpongeG]

Oakridge Park, part one, opened to the public today. Several first to Vancouver retailers inside, such as Miu Miu and Maison Margiela, and the third largest Rolex store in the world, apparently.

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[hipster duck]

^Thanks for posting that.

I'm surprised nobody is talking about this on the Canada forum. I'll have to lurk in the Vancouver forum to see if this is generating posts, but Oakridge is probably the biggest project to open in Vancouver since the Olympics. It's certainly a bigger deal than anything that opened up when I lived there from 2010-2017.

I also think this is probably the beginning of the end of high end shopping downtown, either on Alberni or around Pacific Centre. Vancouver is full of rich people, but it's not a huge city, and it probably can't support two full-sized Louis Vuittons, for example.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by hipster duck

^Thanks for posting that.

I'm surprised nobody is talking about this on the Canada forum. I'll have to lurk in the Vancouver forum to see if this is generating posts, but Oakridge is probably the biggest project to open in Vancouver since the Olympics. It's certainly a bigger deal than anything that opened up when I lived there from 2010-2017.

I also think this is probably the beginning of the end of high end shopping downtown, either on Alberni or around Pacific Centre. Vancouver is full of rich people, but it's not a huge city, and it probably can't support two full-sized Louis Vuittons, for example.

It should be with a price tag of $6.5 billion.

Personally I'm of the opinion (not popular in the Vancouver forum) that this project is built for a world that no longer exists. The initial developer (Westbank) is now floundering because they built for offshore money and the scale of that flowing in is great diminished. There's been nary a peep at where condo sales in this project have landed at and they've certainly been dragging their feet over completion. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it will be a nice mall and the rooftop public park is cool but I'm skeptical of the financial success of it.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Personally I'm of the opinion (not popular in the Vancouver forum) that this project is built for a world that no longer exists. The initial developer (Westbank) is now floundering because they built for offshore money and the scale of that flowing in is great diminished. There's been nary a peep at where condo sales in this project have landed at and they've certainly been dragging their feet over completion. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it will be a nice mall and the rooftop public park is cool but I'm skeptical of the financial success of it.

It does feel a bit outdated now. There was the view that China would dominate the world economically and Vancouver's best role in the new world would be as a prostitute for global bucks from the nouveau riche. They would engage in conspicuous consumption to flaunt their wealth, buying expensive condos, sports cars that they would flip into ditches, and ugly luxury brand items. Those high end condos are really struggling right now.

Downtown has been under pressure a bit with Simons going to Park Royal and Nordstom and Hudson's Bay closing. I don't think it is the end of the world and there are lots of normal people who live and work nearby, but it's an adjustment. I wouldn't personally mind if Alberni transitions to normal businesses.

Oakridge has been under construction for so long that I've kind of forgotten about that mall and project. Maybe that is why it flew under the radar.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by someone123

Downtown has been under pressure a bit with Simons going to Park Royal and Nordstom and Hudson's Bay closing. I don't think it is the end of the world and there are lots of normal people who live and work nearby, but it's an adjustment. I wouldn't personally mind if Alberni transitions to normal businesses.

Oakridge has been under construction for so long that I've kind of forgotten about that mall and project. Maybe that is why it flew under the radar.

It might say you're in Vancouver, but you are more than a bit out of touch. Simons have recently started fitting out the Nordstrom space, along with a new flagship Aritzia store. Onni have just been announced as the buyers of the HBC building, so no doubt there will be plans coming forward soon for a significant project there too.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Changing City

It might say you're in Vancouver, but you are more than a bit out of touch. Simons have recently started fitting out the Nordstrom space, along with a new flagship Aritzia store. Onni have just been announced as the buyers of the HBC building, so no doubt there will be plans coming forward soon for a significant project there too.

Not sure why you have to be rude about retail news. Nothing I said is incorrect, and parts of my post are tongue in cheek, but SSP is pretty humourless these days. I heard about Simons opening a downtown location, but I didn't know they are actively working on it. It's been rumoured for many years now.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by someone123

Not sure why you have to be rude about retail news. Nothing I said is incorrect, and parts of my post are tongue in cheek, but SSP is pretty humourless these days. I heard about Simons opening a downtown location, but I didn't know they are actively working on it. It's been rumoured for many years now.

Simons have been rumoured to be looking for some time - as has Uniqlo, who haven't been confirmed yet, but until Nordstrom closed there was no obvious appropriate space.

In terms of Alberni, Retail Insider had this to say:

A Different Luxury Offering Than Alberni Street

Oakridge Park’s luxury roster immediately positions the project as a major complement to Vancouver’s established luxury corridor along Alberni Street.

The two districts are different. One of the most notable aspects of Oakridge Park’s luxury mix is the absence of brands owned by Kering, one of the world’s largest luxury groups. Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga all maintain a presence in downtown Vancouver, but none have opened stores at Oakridge Park. Richemont brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, IWC, Panerai, Vacheron Constantin, and Jaeger LeCoultre, all with stores in downtown Vancouver, are also not present at Oakridge.

That absence is notable given the scale of Oakridge Park’s luxury offering and the presence of other major luxury groups and independent houses within the project. It also shows that Oakridge Park has not replaced Alberni Street. Instead, it has created a second luxury retail destination with a distinct brand mix.

[SpongeG]

UNIQLO Announces Five New Canadian Store Openings for Fall 2026

News provided by
UNIQLO
Jun 09, 2026, 13:00 ET

TORONTO, June 9, 2026 /CNW/ - UNIQLO, the global Japanese apparel retailer, today announced it will open five new Canadian stores in Fall 2026. Locations include St. Vital Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Quartier DIX30 in Brossard, Quebec, Tsawwassen Mills in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill, Ontario and Conestoga Mall in Waterloo, Ontario.

...

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/un...re-openings-for-fall-2026-824771649.html

[GreatTallNorth2]

Footlab World, owned by Cristiano Ronaldo, is opening it's first Canadian location occupying 37,000 square feet at White Oaks Mall in London.

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/fo...-oaks-mall-london-ontario-898353572.html

[SpongeG]

Zellers!

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[Loco101]

I watched that Zellers video a couple days ago and left a comment as follows:

I don't think that the new Zellers will be profitable. This store has too much of a "pop-up" look and isn't anything exciting. There are many reasons why Zellers went out of business and today there are even more reasons why it won't succeed.

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And I will add that it seemed strange having WAY too many employees for a small floor area. Nothing seems innovative about the store. They are banking on nostalgia but they did a pretty lame job with that as well.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Loco101

I watched that Zellers video a couple days ago and left a comment as follows:

I don't think that the new Zellers will be profitable. This store has too much of a "pop-up" look and isn't anything exciting. There are many reasons why Zellers went out of business and today there are even more reasons why it won't succeed.

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And I will add that it seemed strange having WAY too many employees for a small floor area. Nothing seems innovative about the store. They are banking on nostalgia but they did a pretty lame job with that as well.

We are so deprived on the west coast, where will we go to buy our $25 bath robes, decanter for storing whisky or spoons.

Looking at that video there is nothing "special" or unique there not already covered by walmart. While I would rather shop at a Canadian retailer, many don't care. It not going to be a destination with unique product like Ikea. They will be going after the same customers in the local area that are going to walmart or giant tiger.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by casper

We are so deprived on the west coast, where will we go to buy our $25 bath robes, decanter for storing whisky or spoons.

Looking at that video there is nothing "special" or unique there not already covered by walmart. While I would rather shop at a Canadian retailer, many don't care. It not going to be a destination with unique product like Ikea. They will be going after the same customers in the local area that are going to walmart or giant tiger.

the Designer Depot in Tswassen mills looks exactly the same, it even has the same red and white colour scheme. They may as well have just called it Zellers when they moved.

[SpongeG]

Canada's first Flying Tiger is now open in Toronto

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[Klazu]

Tsawwassen Mills has become a place that we drive to couple of times a year to eat, shop and have fun.



The recently added FlyO'Land indoor park is incredibly fun for kids. I read that Nanaimo has also had one of these open.









This place is guaranteed to make you sweat!









There are so many slides and so much to do!









Towards the bak there are even more areas for play.









I can see it being a lot of fun to have your birthday in here.



Tsawwassen Mills is also otherwise a lot of fun for kids.





Next door, a rather weird store had opened up since our last visit. Question is, how long will it last with such a niche business idea...









The new food court looks awesome and was very busy. I wasn't aware of such being built, but I like their implementation. Besides food stalls, there are also small stalls selling stuff to the side of the food court.







Considering how controversial it was originally and how much concern there was over the takeover by a Chinese billionaire, I think it is evolving in an interesting way and is pretty unique in Metro Vancouver.

[zoomer]

Interesting - the main food court at Tsawwassen Mills is one of the nicest in the lower mainland, bright, air, modern with a good selection yet that TM Wander looks more old school. Hard to tell unless you're in the space I suppose and I wonder how much traffic it'll divert from the main food court.

Ruby Liu also owns Mayfair in Victoria as well as the a former Bed Bath and Beyond across the street which she's turned into Deerland - same concept I guess as above. Makes sense with all the deer that run around the city. She'll also be bringing that TM Wander food concept to Mayfair. She's interviewed in the news story below.

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[zoomer]

I thought we had a restaurant thread, but this probably fits here as well in terms of retail/food economy instead of talking about fav restaurants, photos of the meals, etc.

I posted this in the Victoria thread, but curious what's happening in other cities across Canada? The past few months there's been a boom in new restaurants in downtown Victoria - rough estimate 17 new or about to open with only one closed and not being replaced yet. Quite a few are large investment restaurants as well, some taking up to a year to build out.

Is this trend occurring country wide? Doesn't seem logical with what we hear in the news about inflation, cost of living, food service industry challenges, etc.

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Now, has anyone else noticed what appears to be an explosion of new restaurants, cafes and food services places downtown? Victoria already has the highest percentage of restaurants in the country, and we were led to believe that the industry was going downhill across the country for a dozens of reasons. I'm not sure why the sudden surge the past few months and it doesn't make sense considering unlike other provinces the BC government still allows for full time work from home for most employees.

This list is just what I've noticed walking around downtown and I know I'm missing a couple because I forget the names and there are about three others in the early stages of being built. Not a comprehensive list below.

The following two are in that former art gallery at View and Government which has been empty for quite a while, looks a fairly big investment resulting in Vancouver based Ayoub's Dried Fruits & Nuts (the Purdy's of fruits and nuts by the looks of it, lol) opening soon as well as still under construction the following two:

Meat and Bread Vancouver based (new to location - formerly at 721 Yates, closed in 2017 after two years of business)

Lee's Donuts - yet another Vancouver based chain, famous for their donuts, Seth Rogan's favourite donuts.

Kyoto Garden - right across the street in the former Monks Office supply store is Kyoto Garden, which is under construction, peeked in the door tonight, looks nice and quite big. A local independent Kyoto inspired Japanese tatami tea house with desserts, etc.

Citrus and Cane, just opened up this month. A tropical cocktail bar (plus food) is just down the Trounce Alley from the Kyoto Gardens. It's in the former Park's Kitchen (Korean) and they've been working on this location for a year now, looks really high end. Citrus and Cane is a local and used to be in the old Paul Motor's Inn, in the copper dome restaurant section.

Café Dépôt - Quebec based affordable coffee/cafe at 1483 Douglas (behind the bus stop before Pandora). Looks to be their first location in BC, opened a couple months ago.

Oakberry Açaí - Brazilian chain, 891 Fort in the former Starbucks at Fort and Blanshard which closed last year I believe.

Horin Ramen - a Japanese chain opened in January on Blanshard replacing Menbow Ramen

Driftwood Chinese Buffett - Island based chain opened in February replacing the closed Azuma Sushi.

Pretty Patty - Smash burgers plus - local independent, opened in April on the 600 block of Yates. Replaced a small pizza place I think.

Don Jose - Just up from that next to Circle K is this Vancouver based Mexican carnitas restaurant will be opening soon.

Birdman - lower Johnson opened in May and replaced the former Friends of Dorothy. Local restaurant by creators of Wind Cries Mary and Rudi. Trendy southern food.

Ful Canteen- local healthy food place (bowls, gourmet sandwiches, smoothies, etc.) in the Rotunda building opposite City Hall. Opened this month and replaced the bike shop that moved to the Atrium. Conveniently located a couple storefronts down fro Tacofino.

Dough Eyes Pizza a trendy pizza place on Pandora, opened this month and replaced Virtuous Pie (vegan pizza). Local restaurant by the owners of Cafe Brio and Brasserie L’Ecole.

Le Croissant Chaud - opened in May, a local French artisanal bakery and café on Broad street across from the under construction Marriott. I can't remember what used to be in that space but it wasn't food related.

Taste of Lebanon(600 block of Fort St) - local, replaced an Asian tea place. Opened in April

Otto - local, gourmet sandwiches, opened this month at the former Picnic location on Fort Street. I've been there twice already as it's nearby to me.

Montanka Cafe - don't know much about this one other than it appears to be local and they're spending a lot of money on the interior and it's a large space. Opening soon as they say. Ah, here's a description - " a Ukrainian-inspired café in the heart of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. We serve handmade crepes and croissants with a variety of savory and sweet fillings, fresh salads in to-go cups, desserts, and specialty coffee and matcha drinks. Our kitchen is built around wholesome cooking — all fillings are baked, not fried, prepared fresh with quality ingredients and minimal oil. No deep fryers, no shortcuts. Rooted in Ukrainian culture and folk art tradition, Motanka Cafe is a warm, welcoming space where good food meets good company"

Hey Happy - just outside of downtown in Cook St Village we have local coffee shop opening their third location in the former Starbucks location in September or October.

C.S. Chan - Also just opened a couple months ago in Cook St Village - a dumpling and wonton restaurant that has a location up in Sidney and a line of dumpling sauces sold in local grocery stores. Replaced part of a former health food grocery store.

From what I can recall/see online the only downtown restaurant that closed in 2026 and wasn't replaced (yet) was Odd Burger. Seems odd.. should be more?!

So that's 17 plus two in Cook St. Village with a loss of one.

[Wigs]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Zellers!

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This is still one of the all time best Canadian parody songs ever
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I wish the new Zellers success, but like others have already stated they really need some stuff to differentiate from Giant Tiger and Walmart besides just the Zellers branded merch.