The problem with IKEA is given its location and size of the city, a lot of people from further away don't go there much. It is quite a trek from the north side and even for people in central areas. A smaller central location could easily address that quite nicely.

Putting something in the west end would be a bigger undertaking, but could allow them to cover over half the city, which I suppose is better than what they are doing now with what they have way down on the south side.
 
Edmonton likely wouldn't get another store for another decade as it inches towards 2 million. Unless IKEA changes how they do things. But there are a lot of other places that are probably better for them to go first. A 3rd store in Montreal, a 4th full-sized store in the GTA, a store in Kitchener-Waterloo, London, maybe Victoria.
 
David A said:
The problem with IKEA is given its location and size of the city, a lot of people from further away don't go there much. It is quite a trek from the north side and even for people in central areas. A smaller central location could easily address that quite nicely.

Putting something in the west end would be a bigger undertaking, but could allow them to cover over half the city, which I suppose is better than what they are doing now with what they have way down on the south side.
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As someone that drives to the south side (south of Ikea from St Albert.). the drive is way easier and as much as 20 min faster than when I drove downtown.
 
Ikea would replace the current one. A new one could house all of there product as well as have proper warehouse facility. That said A Marshal/Homesense make sense since we already have a winners down there.


Wow you can always tell when I have a break in my day when I go on line like this.
 
If Ikea's model is just big box store's then I doubt a smaller downtown location will happen. Its too bad because the opportunity and the space is there.

On the weekend, my experience is once you get past a certain point the drive downtown is fairly quick as there is no commuter traffic. There is much more congestion and traffic in suburban areas.

If find as I get closer to Ikea coming from a more central area the congestion gets worse. Maybe it is better for people going during the day, during the week.
 
I will pass on my secret to Ikea trips since I had to make a few runs there this last month. (happens when scope creep kicks in on the new kitchen floor job). anyway. I get off the Henday at 91st go around on Ellwood drive onto 99st head north then come in by the Lowes(Rona). Then get out the same way. You miss all the idiot drivers on Gateway.
 
Unfortunately, I am in a more central area of Edmonton, close to Calgary Trail, so that is the main option. I agree it is a most horrible road to go on, very busy with lights and on the weekends lots of people going slowly, coming to and from adjacent strip malls, mixed in with people traveling to the airport or beyond trying to go faster.
 
Caffe Sole has opened in the former Starbucks space next to the TD Bank and its never-ending renovations

20231214_122406.jpg
 
This is Caffe Sole's second location, after their 99 Street/72 Avenue location.

caffesole.ca

Caffe Sole | Coffee, Cacao & Tea Purveyors

We take great pride in providing the high-quality espresso drinks and developing an extensive selection of some of the most aromatic, flavorful and high-quality teas available. You can find our premium line of teas in all the Italian Centre Shop stores all around Edmonton, Canada.
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A good spot right next to the office tower. I believe those larger companies that gave this spot up before, will be kicking themselves at some time in the future when they can't get it back.

Smaller businesses are often more nimble and able to take advantage of opportunities.
 
From this perspective, our mall perhaps has a competitive advantage to pivot since it's virtually empty. But will it happen?

 
I think it already is changing. With the Gap and the most of the popular suburban chains gone, there are some unique, smaller local stores coming in.

However, I don't think it will Yorkdale. I went to Southgate recently and noticed how upscale it has become. I remember years ago it was more a mall for the average shopper. Now it is more like Yorkdale.

On the other hand, I feel City Centre could look at the Well and get some ideas both for now and the future but I don't see the demand for residential development around City Centre right now.
 
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