IanO
Superstar
Top 5 in Edmonton for me.
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TAS
Senior Member
That home is beautiful.
In Highlands along Ada Boulevard, this is in my top 5. Not the best pic from Google. This one needs to be seen in person.
Offworld
Active Member
^ So much greenery, it almost has a West Side Vancouver feel to it.
Gronk!
Senior Member
Elements Outfitters is leaving Old Strathcona for South Edmonton Common.
IanO
Superstar
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.
Gronk!
Senior Member
I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that Elements is relocating from a trendy pedestrian-friendly area to a suburban car-centric hellhole. I avoid SEC like the plague, therefore Elements will just be one more place I'll refuse to shop at.
A shame, really, considering that Elements is a sponsor of the "Dirty Windshields Radio Hour" on CKUA (Saturdays at noon).
A shame, really, considering that Elements is a sponsor of the "Dirty Windshields Radio Hour" on CKUA (Saturdays at noon).
cmd uw
Active Member
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.
David A
Senior Member
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.
Many out of town visitors go there, but a lot of people who live here go there seldom or avoid it, especially those who are not close by.
It has a lot of the same stores as other places, which are closer for people who live in other parts of the city such as the south, east or north.
archited
Senior Member
^ Yes but it also has many forms of entertainment that is unusual in other malls.
IanO
Superstar
They had looked at moving to the old Lulu, which I did confirm and suggest, but maybe it was too late.
WEM continues to have a disproportionate impact to where retailers choose to locate and where shoppers go. If anything, it's FAR more pronounced than ever and what I would call a bit of a sad state of affairs given that 95% of our high end retail is in an aging mall at the edge of the city. Telling.
David A
Senior Member
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.
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.
Kosy123
Senior Member
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.
archited
Senior Member
My understanding is that WEM is mortgaged to hilt. 555 should have left room for some residential expansion towers in TOD-style -- they could have in the process of doing that given the mall a whole new facade and brought the monster up to date. Same for Southgate.
IanO
Superstar
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.
TAS
Senior Member
It's amazing when you think Edmonton's population has increased 250,000 people (more than 2 Red Deers) and business is decreasing? along the city's trendiest mainstreet?
I guess all the new shoppers are going to places like SEC, and malls and other power centres.