8289 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

The robbery was at the 7/11 I thought? But close enough.

This recent convo brings back memories of growing up in Esquimalt and Vic West, and always having to deal with the “wow, that’s the sketchiest part of the region!” comments from people who had *no* idea what they were talking about. My response was “you clearly haven’t spent time on Burnside Road, have you? Or Tillicum at Burnside? Or the half-dozen places in Saanich where you’ll actually get jumped, not make-believe think you’ll get jumped?” Anyways...

[Victoria Watcher]

there was also a robbery at 7/11 a bit earlier this fall or summer.

[Victoria Watcher]

The Bay store in Coquitlam closed Saturday as the company’s financial disputes with landlords continue to grow across Canada and in the U.S.

Landlords of several Hudson Bay Co. ULC locations — including a former Home Outfitters store in Nanaimo — say the company stopped paying rent early in the pandemic.


https://www.timescol...rent-1.24243453

 

this seems quite serious if they are willing to let a location get boarded up.  can't make the employees at other locations feel too secure.

[Mike K.]

HSBC has closed its branch next to the Starbucks on Jacklin.

[grantpalin]

this seems quite serious if they are willing to let a location get boarded up.  can't make the employees at other locations feel too secure.

I'm not sure that forcing out the tenant (the Bay) is a great strategy on the part of the landlord. Aside from the job losses (right before Christmas no less), does the landlord reasonably expect to get another tenant to fill that much space any time soon? Granted, we have Walmart going into the former Hillside Mall Sears space, but that's been years in the making.

[Victoria Watcher]

at some point you have to cut your losses. it does cost the landlord some amount to have an active tenant in the space. even over the cost of nobody there.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 November 2020 - 04:02 AM.

[Barrrister]

I just started using Amazon during this Covid period. Have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised at how well it works for a lot of purchases. Got an upright freezer, rowing machine, patio heater and a bunch of shoes and jeans. While I am elderly (polite way of saying old) my wife is very computer savvy (and much younger) so we have had fun shopping online. 

 

Downtown has become a rather creepy sh*thole to say the least even before covid.

Cant say we miss it.

[spanky123]

I just started using Amazon during this Covid period. Have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised at how well it works for a lot of purchases. Got an upright freezer, rowing machine, patio heater and a bunch of shoes and jeans. While I am elderly (polite way of saying old) my wife is very computer savvy (and much younger) so we have had fun shopping online. 

 

Downtown has become a rather creepy sh*thole to say the least even before covid.

Cant say we miss it.

 

What I can't believe is that after all of these years, the Feds still allow Amazon the loophole of shipping from a US warehouse and not charging taxes. I get it that if that happens then the customer is supposed to self-asses and pay taxes but really how often do we think that happens (I always do by the way for any CRA people reading this).

Edited by spanky123, 23 November 2020 - 07:48 AM.

[RFS]

Does anyone know what happened to Sitka clothing? They had a nice downtown store and for a while you would see the hoodies everywhere. They seem to have vanished off the face of the earth

[Rob Randall]

They left their big Yates St. store and greatly downsized to a unit on Gov't. St. near W&J Wilson. They've since rebranded as ecologyst. It's a great place to go if you want a hoodie but you have the budget for a suit.

[RFS]

Bizarre business decision to luck out with a a recognizable brand that gets traction and then change it completely

[Rob Randall]

I think they were trying to pivot away from the skateboarder vibe into something more adult.

[TwilightZoneVictoria]

They also keep putting out ads to become an investor in their company. 

[Jackerbie]

Does anyone know what happened to Sitka clothing? They had a nice downtown store and for a while you would see the hoodies everywhere. They seem to have vanished off the face of the earth

 

Restructured in 2016 due to significant debts, and then rebranded as they only owned the Sitka trademark in Canada. A big American outfit owns the trademark to Sitka Gear in the USA and several other global markets, so it was a pre-emptive change to avoid potential lawsuits in the future.

 

via https://www.timescol...ute-1.23824236 

Edited by Jackerbie, 23 November 2020 - 03:13 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

They also keep putting out ads to become an investor in their company. 

 

https://www.frontfun...om/en/ecologyst

[Redd42]

They left their big Yates St. store and greatly downsized to a unit on Gov't. St. near W&J Wilson. They've since rebranded as ecologyst. It's a great place to go if you want a hoodie but you have the budget for a suit.

 

Who, young or old, pays a big amount for a hoodie?

[Rob Randall]

^Differentiating oneself from the hoi polloi with fine clothing is something old as the hills

[Victoria Watcher]

that’s true. that’s why they have school uniforms. it’s not so you can identify the kids that belong to your school. like say a war uniform.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 November 2020 - 08:33 PM.

[Redd42]

Oxford foods officially closed their doors today. I almost never go there but it still is sad.

[mbjj]

We went to Oxford several times a week. Have been scoping out other places. Our grocery bill will rise substantially with them gone. Also had to drive to Oak Bay to use the RBC ATM. And please don't say we don't need cash. Neither my hairdresser nor other personal care lady accepts credit cards, same as a couple of other small businesses I've been to. Cash or cheque only. 

 

When we were in Oxford last time I asked the fellow where they got their chicken. He said Lilydale, but another customer and I commented that Oxford chicken was by far the most tender and best priced in town and that other store's Lilydale chicken wasn't the same. Really sad they're gone.