IanO
Superstar
Top 5 in Edmonton for me.
That home is beautiful.Top 5 in Edmonton for me.
View attachment 633834
Elements Outfitters is leaving Old Strathcona for South Edmonton Common.
TBH, I don't think their location was the best. He likely would have found better success with 'prime' frontage on Whyte or somewhere on 124 Street.That's a real shame, but indicative of where people shop now.
I was invited by the owner for some bourbon while in Canmore to discuss why this store was underperforming his others by 'a large amount' and proceeded to have a 2hr talk about Edmonton's marketplace, WEM's impact, SEC, Downtown's total lack of shopping etc.
He was originally sold on Whyte as being THE place for pedestrian traffic, unique stores/offerings and the university crowd.
When Edmonton was half the size it is now 40 years ago, WEM was new and it was the largest mall around, yes it had a big impact. Now, less so.TBH, I don't think their location was the best. He likely would have found better success with 'prime' frontage on Whyte or somewhere on 124 Street.
WEM's impact, WTF does that even mean? A 'mega' mall like most other large cities have. I don't buy that argument anymore.
TBH, I don't think their location was the best. He likely would have found better success with 'prime' frontage on Whyte or somewhere on 124 Street.
WEM's impact, WTF does that even mean? A 'mega' mall like most other large cities have. I don't buy that argument anymore.
Yeah WEM is old and aging, and you can see it but it's coasting on it's position as the largest mall and its reputation. I'd argue if something like City Centre bites the bullet, renovates all of it into a new glassy showpiece centre rather than a Soviet era bunker, then that could compete in the future.It particularly hurts downtown, which in most cities has much more high end retail than here. For instance, stores like Holts and Birks which closed in Manulife.
Although for the most part, West Ed has the same chains as our other big malls. Ironically, the now aging mall itself does not seem so high end, perhaps parts of it.
It's a product of a lot of things, but a real shame how much retail has left Whyte. Sure we love going down for a stroll still, hit the market, have brunch, go to a couple remaining clothing stores, but it's a shadow.