1156 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Yikes, that part of town is not particularly welcoming now. The old CT has quite the ensemble of smoke marks from a fire that started by squatters.

[FogPub]

London Drugs leaving Harris Green would be a terrible blow to downtown. It’s a major draw and source of so many goods you can’t as easily get elsewhere in one location.

Vic West might be a target for a relocation. Eventually Bayview and Dockside will have larger retail units. Also there’s the Reliance project in Rock Bay that could work.

If they move to Vic West they'll lose just about all their business from anywhere east of Cook St., which would likely hammer them pretty hard.  What they'd pick up from Esquimalt wouldn't begin to cover it.

[Victoria Watcher]

If they move to Vic West they'll lose just about all their business from anywhere east of Cook St., which would likely hammer them pretty hard.  What they'd pick up from Esquimalt wouldn't begin to cover it.

 

I feel they gets lots of money from there, for sure.  Fairfield, Oak Bay etc.

[Mike K.]

No doubt. It’s a prime location they’re in.

But eventually storefronts age out. And if something new were to materialize elsewhere they may jump.

Chapters did, despite having a flagship downtown store. The Gap did as well.

[Awaiting Juno]

No doubt. It’s a prime location they’re in.

But eventually storefronts age out. And if something new were to materialize elsewhere they may jump.

Chapters did, despite having a flagship downtown store. The Gap did as well

 

I'm guessing shoplifting costs will weigh on their decision. I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to go elsewhere - maybe when Fairfield Plaza redevelops, or if an opportunity arises in James Bay or Quadra Village it would be competitive. Keep in mind with government workers no longer having to go to the office, that much of their bread and butter just isn't going to return. What is left, would likely follow them - and might even prefer the new location if parking is better and it feels safer.

[Nparker]

Has the commercial parking component to the Harris Green proposal been reduced?

[Mike K.]

Not as far as we know.

[Nparker]

Has the commercial parking component to the Harris Green proposal been reduced?

Not as far as we know.

So I am not sure why all the speculation on London Drugs future as part of the proposal. Of course if Starlight cancels the HG project, that is an entirely different matter.

[Mike K.]

That’s why we’re talking about it, in case it gets cancelled.

[Victoria Watcher]

Because although Starlight clearly stated they had an agreement with the Market, they have only said they are happy to work with other tenants. Does not sound so firm.

[Mike K.]

It’s a long ways out, the new digs, even if shovels hit the ground today. So presumably a lease would be signed as phase 2 was getting underway. So we’re talking 2026-2027, with move-in by 2030. Phase 3 will complete in 2033-2035, realistically, if all goes well.

[Victoria Watcher]

Well, I think the Market has a deal to move to phase 2 or 3, so that is being developed to suit them. LD would need something similar, these retail units need loading docks, they are not like smaller retail or restaurants.

[Mike K.]

Market is moving into phase 1, so up at Cook and Yates.

Or was, in any case. London Drugs would be (if I were to guess) a phase 2 move, provided phase 2 doesn’t require the redevelopment of where LD is now, then they would have to close or relocate for several years.

[Mike K.]

So LD’s decision could be based on what phase 2 encompasses and what happens to the LD space as part of phase 2. They might have some say in how 2 and 3 proceed, maybe.

[Victoria Watcher]

Market is moving into phase 1, so up at Cook and Yates.

Or was, in any case. London Drugs would be (if I were to guess) a phase 2 move, provided phase 2 doesn’t require the redevelopment of where LD is now, then they would have to close or relocate for several years.

 

OK, what I meant is that Market is planning to not close, move from where they are right into the other phase when it's ready.  That must be planned, big loading docks.  LD needs the same.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 February 2023 - 01:45 PM.

[Mike K.]

Right. So I’m thinking, if LD remains a tenant, I would imagine phase 2 would be Yates at Quadra as opposed to Yates at Vancouver, to keep LD open. If LD walks, the phasing could change.

That’s just my musing.

[spanky123]

I think that if LD needed to relocate for construction they likely won’t come back which is why they haven’t committed. Moving once is a pain and results in customers changing habits, moving twice is a non-starter unless they couldn’t find suitable space.

[Mike K.]

Yes, very much so. So LD is keeping its options open, I guess.

Let’s say they do move. Where would they move to? Is there a possibility of The Bay sizing down or consolidating at Mayfair?

[m3m]

Gosh, I sure hope London Drugs is coming back. That's our main drug store and where we get our prescriptions. You mean we're going to have to drive even farther? 

 

There's like 6 other pharmacies within 2 blocks of London Drugs... 

[Mike K.]

You mean, like six methadone dispensaries.