Official Retail thread

[victorian fan]

Goodbye Birks. I'm still wearing a watch I bought there.

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Holden West

Birks jewelers doing poorly, will close Hillside Centre store.

I was at Hillside just a few weeks ago and thought to myself Birks has been at that mall location for 30+years at least, along with Purdy's, I think. Other stores have moved around the mall like Tip Top, Specht's Pets and Bolen Books. I can't think of any other stores still in their original or long-time locations.

I honestly do not understand jewellery. Well, I get nice looking jewellery on a pretty lady, but I don't understand the attraction with a $10,000 ring that looks the same as a $200 ring.

[Mike K.]

Originally Posted by Holden West

Birks jewelers doing poorly, will close Hillside Centre store.

I was at Hillside just a few weeks ago and thought to myself Birks has been at that mall location for 30+years at least, along with Purdy's, I think. Other stores have moved around the mall like Tip Top, Specht's Pets and Bolen Books. I can't think of any other stores still in their original or long-time locations.

Unless the location has recently changed, Specht's has always been next to the lottery/real-estate booths near the Zeller's entrance, no?

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Mike K.

Unless the location has recently changed, Specht's has always been next to the lottery/real-estate booths near the Zeller's entrance, no?

Oh, poor little child. Specht's has been in the mall since I was a wee lad. I can assure you, it's moved, but it has always been in that wing. Bolen Books started at about 800 sq. ft. too.

[gumgum]

The Source has cleared out of the Bay Center. Which is complete balls.
Their website is still up so I assume they haven't gone out of business.

Is there another electronics store left d/t?
Also, there's not one place downtown where one can buy a new DVD other than the odd random one.

[sebberry]

Originally Posted by gumgum

The Source has cleared out of the Bay Center. Which is complete balls.
Their website is still up so I assume they haven't gone out of business.

When they charge $90 for an HDMI cable... what do you expect?

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by gumgum

The Source has cleared out of the Bay Center. Which is complete balls.
Their website is still up so I assume they haven't gone out of business.

Is there another electronics store left d/t?
Also, there's not one place downtown where one can buy a new DVD other than the odd random one.

Boy, that does suck. Quaele Electronics (strictly utility electronics, no consumer devices) is sort of downtown now, on Government by Acklands. DVDs eh? Good question, London Drugs selection is lame compared to FutureShop etc. Maybe Lyle's has stepped up their selection? I can't see there being much money in used, or even in new CDs now.

[BCguy75]

Originally Posted by gumgum

The Source has cleared out of the Bay Center. Which is complete balls.
Their website is still up so I assume they haven't gone out of business.

Is there another electronics store left d/t?
Also, there's not one place downtown where one can buy a new DVD other than the odd random one.

The Source is actually expanding at the Bay Centre... they're temporarily closed for renovations (they've 'swallowed' the former CD Plus location).

[gumgum]

Well my bad BCguy.
That is good news.
It really is stupid that there is no sign there or anything.

[BCguy75]

Originally Posted by gumgum

Well my bad BCguy.
That is good news.
It really is stupid that there is no sign there or anything.

There was a sign there a few weeks ago: "The SOURCE is Expanding- Now Hiring."

I walked by the store earlier this evening and I noticed (via an open door) that the store's expanded interior is mostly complete (though without merchandise). I imagine that they'll be reopening before Valentine's Day.

On the other hand, there are definitely some high-profile retailers that are gone from the mall: Tip Top Tailors, Fairweather, and Artevo.

[gumgum]

Weird. I saw no sign and I was there tonight.

[G-Man]

The sign is down because they are almost done.

[sebberry]

I suppose when they make $70 on that $90 HDMI cable they can afford to expand..

[arfenarf]

Originally Posted by gumgum

Is there another electronics store left d/t?
Also, there's not one place downtown where one can buy a new DVD other than the odd random one.

Not sure whether you mean electronic toys or bits of wire and capacitors and things. If the former, does Atlas A/V in the old Compusmart building count as downtown?

[Caramia]

There is a Winter Scavenger Hunt going on downtown. The hunt ends on the 13th. If you want to participate, go down to lower Johnson Street and find a store with one of the posters in the window, and ask them for a passport. There are about 20 stores all within a few blocks - on Broad St, LoJo, and Store. Two of the stores are located upstairs in the Duck building, so it is a chance to see inside that old gal.

There are about 20 prizes up for grabs: The first prize is a $1000 spending spree among participating retailers & restaurants. The second prize is a $300 gift certificate to Il Terrazzo. You have to fill out the entire thing in order to be eligible to win, and everyone who fills it out also gets two for one Vegetarian Curry or Fish & Chips at Swans.

It takes an afternoon so the number of fully complete passports isn't going to be that many. In fact, a little birdy told me that the chances of winning something if you did complete it are pretty good.

Here's the poster listing participating merchants:


Have fun!

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Caramia

There is a Winter Scavenger Hunt going on downtown. The hunt ends on the 13th. If you want to participate, go down to lower Johnson Street and find a store with one of the posters in the window, and ask them for a passport. There are about 20 stores all within a few blocks - on Broad St, LoJo, and Store. Two of the stores are located upstairs in the Duck building, so it is a chance to see inside that old gal.

There are about 20 prizes up for grabs: The first prize is a $1000 spending spree among participating retailers & restaurants. The second prize is a $300 gift certificate to Il Terrazzo. You have to fill out the entire thing in order to be eligible to win, and everyone who fills it out also gets two for one Vegetarian Curry or Fish & Chips at Swans.

It takes an afternoon so the number of fully complete passports isn't going to be that many. In fact, a little birdy told me that the chances of winning something if you did complete it are pretty good.

Here's the poster listing participating merchants:


Have fun!

Great idea! Can't find anyhting on FaceBook though, wonder why they don't have a group to spread the word.

[Caramia]

True, it's not on facebook. Maybe I can get that corrected.

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Caramia

True, it's not on facebook. Maybe I can get that corrected.

Too bad it ends on Saturday, one more full weekend would be good. But ya, get it on FaceBook and I'll help push.

[Caramia]

Ask & ye shall receive: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?ei...2355515&ref=ts

Thanks VHF!

[Mike K.]

Oh wow, almost one month in and I hadn't heard a peep about this

[Holden West]

Only Human, the designer furniture and lighting retailer, is on the move again. It's the fourth expansion for owners Chris Rothery and Christina Stack, who have secured a lease at 616 Yates in the former Design House, where they will a have 3,000-square-foot showroom.

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/busines...#ixzz0gkPWCjZd

I didn't realize they had closed down. Design House was a cool store.

Bonus trivia: it appears there is a Korean language school on the second floor of every building in downtown Victoria.

[Jill]

The Ambrosio market in Cadboro Bay Village appears to have ceased operations, in one of those here today, gone tomorrow closings.

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Jill

The Ambrosio market in Cadboro Bay Village appears to have ceased operations, in one of those here today, gone tomorrow closings.

Temporary, maybe? Yesterday on Craigslist:

Founded in 1999, Ambrosio Markets and Deli - Oak Bay is a local business dedicated to providing fresh local produce, fine imported grocery items, a wide deli selection, and delicious lunches made fresh in store.

To assist in our continued growth we require a full time Assistant Manager to ensure satisfaction to our customers and strong leadership to our staff.
As Assistant Manager you will be responsible for scheduling, product control, ordering, and staff/customer relations along with various other day to day duties.
Compensation will be hourly based in the range of $10- $12 for the first 3-5 months, and will grow to salary once completly trianed. As a bonus you will be entitled to profit shares, health benefits, and staff discount.
Industry experience is a must, and management background a strong asset.

We are looking to fill this position by mid March.

[Bob Fugger]

Originally Posted by VicHockeyFan

Temporary, maybe? Yesterday on Craigslist:

Retail industry experience and management experience are prerequisites for a $10-$12 hr training wage? John must be high on the crack rock.

[sebberry]

Originally Posted by Bob Fugger

Retail industry experience and management experience are prerequisites for a $10-$12 hr training wage? John must be high on the crack rock.

You don't get much more than that in retail...