[David A]

We have to remember that unity square/brewery, whether we like it or not, or consider it DT or not, hits a lot for people. Big stores like Staples would ideally be more like 108st/103ave. But they’re 10 blocks west.

Best Buy, winners, MEC, petland, London drugs, dollarama (some of these are also in CC too). All west of 109st, but probably prevent more stores like them from being DT.

Yes, I work downtown . I used to be able to go get office supplies in City Centre which is an fairly walkable distance I could do with other errands or lunch, but Staples is further away.

So I actually I seldom go there now. Likewise for London Drugs, although fortunately there are several Shoppers Drug Marts in the core that have a decent selection.

 

[Stevey_G]

Ace Hardware or Home Hardware would be excellent for downtown if the businesses could make a go of it. Not sure how viable it is, but with all these projects starting to pop up you'd think they'd do pretty good.

 

[Tropical]

Ace Hardware or Home Hardware would be excellent for downtown if the businesses could make a go of it. Not sure how viable it is, but with all these projects starting to pop up you'd think they'd do pretty good.

Downtown adjacent, but I've long believed that a hardware store would do excellent business in Unity Square/Brewery District.

 

[buildings]

a hardware store that catered to the needs of renters and condo owners for minor household repair and decorating would be soooo welcome. I don't mind driving to the westmount home depot but would rather I didn't have to.

 

[Gronk!]

I've always wanted a Home Hardware or a Canadian Tire in the downtown neighborhood, preferably in ECC (in the old Bay space) although Unity Square would be acceptable.

Or here's a spitball idea: how about a resurrection of the historic WW Arcade hardware store near The Quarters?

 

[buildings]

^loved that place.

 

[Edmcowboy11]

Well thinking of it from the side of the retailer I think they think that there isn't a market for any type of hardware store in the core and also they don't know how to get enough product floor space. Funny thing is the best way to have more floor space is to open multi level retail spaces. Or have micro stores with a customer counter and larger back room.

 

[buildings]

if you can have one in manhattan..... just loose the contractor building materials and keep the same items but just less of them on site. https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7421941,-73.9911684,3a,75y,231.78h,95.63t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sv6BB3qiWelFxUike9Zt_eA!2e0!6shttps://streetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com/v1/thumbnail?cb_client=maps_sv.tactile&w=900&h=600&pitch=-5.626211204984045&panoid=v6BB3qiWelFxUike9Zt_eA&yaw=231.78441410333562!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDUyNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

[buildings]

sorry for derailing the thread. I'll stop now.

 

[Greenspace]

Now going to call it the Lee Valley Line, can't get that out of my head.

 

[_urbanite]

Well thinking of it from the side of the retailer I think they think that there isn't a market for any type of hardware store in the core and also they don't know how to get enough product floor space. Funny thing is the best way to have more floor space is to open multi level retail spaces. Or have micro stores with a customer counter and larger back room.

I think it could possibly work, but maybe not as a pure hardware store. A store with more diversified product mix that includes a good selection hardware essentials + some everyday items + office supplies. Ideally located closer to 124 street so it can draw in some homeowners from the Westmount area. But as you stated, finding an appropriate sized space for this would be challenging. Any spaces in that area that I can think of that would be ideal for this are already leased up. It would need to be south of 111 Ave as well IMO

 

[David A]

Well thinking of it from the side of the retailer I think they think that there isn't a market for any type of hardware store in the core and also they don't know how to get enough product floor space. Funny thing is the best way to have more floor space is to open multi level retail spaces. Or have micro stores with a customer counter and larger back room.

Just because something does not currently exist does not mean there isn't a market for it. Only that someone hasn't realized the market there or figured out how to make it work.

 

[David A]

I've always wanted a Home Hardware or a Canadian Tire in the downtown neighborhood, preferably in ECC (in the old Bay space) although Unity Square would be acceptable.

Or here's a spitball idea: how about a resurrection of the historic WW Arcade hardware store near The Quarters?

A Canadian Tire in the old Bay space would be a great idea.

 

[Tropical]

I think it could possibly work, but maybe not as a pure hardware store. A store with more diversified product mix that includes a good selection hardware essentials + some everyday items + office supplies. Ideally located closer to 124 street so it can draw in some homeowners from the Westmount area. But as you stated, finding an appropriate sized space for this would be challenging. Any spaces in that area that I can think of that would be ideal for this are already leased up. It would need to be south of 111 Ave as well IMO

Aren't we basically describing London Drugs in Unity Square?

 

[crisp]

A Canadian Tire might work, has a great variety from fixing things to cleaning things and also great for seasonal decor. I often went to the urban format Cdn Tire in Beltline Calgary when I was living in Beltline. One thing I would say though is that the store was never busy from my perspective.

A hardware store though? Absolutely would not work. There just wouldn't be enough DIY people living downtown, at least not yet. If we're talking major renos, well then it's safe to say such projects have people willing to drive out further with a truck to pick up stuff.

Let's not forget Sobey's failed attempt at a grocery store downtown Edmonton. We juuuuust finally got enough people in the area for grocery stores to work now. A grocery store, not a hardware store. And that's mostly due to new buildings and a lot of rentals, none of these new bodies downtown need much use of a hardware store.