[Gronk!]

Retailers continue to face challenges on Edmonton's Whyte Avenue but hospitality sector thrives

Special events are playing a significant role in supporting restaurants, bars and the area’s nightlife venues.

retail-insider.com

 

[JMatt88]

Retailers continue to face challenges on Edmonton's Whyte Avenue but hospitality sector thrives

Special events are playing a significant role in supporting restaurants, bars and the area’s nightlife venues.

retail-insider.com

As someone who lives off Whyte, 124th street seems way more vibrant compared to Whyte. Maybe because I don't go down 124th as much but I can't recall seeing that many vacant storefronts). It might also be that 124th is not as wide as Whyte which I feel gives it a more urban and vibrant look. There are so many vacant storefronts on Whyte Avenue and sometimes it can feel quite depressing. Granted, Whyte Ave east of 99th is thriving!

 

[David A]

As someone who lives off Whyte, 124th street seems way more vibrant compared to Whyte. Maybe because I don't go down 124th as much but I can't recall seeing that many vacant storefronts). It might also be that 124th is not as wide as Whyte which I feel gives it a more urban and vibrant look. There are so many vacant storefronts on Whyte Avenue and sometimes it can feel quite depressing. Granted, Whyte Ave east of 99th is thriving!

Yes, 124 Street seems to have done better with retail lately, whereas Whyte Ave is more a collection of restaurants and bars now with a lot of the older retail that used to be there now gone.

It may be in part because Whyte Ave is a more expensive street to be on but it doesn't really draw a more upscale crowd. It is close to the university, but that probably more benefits the nightlife.

 

[thommyjo]

I think 124 is more stable. Whyte is bigger highs and lows.

124 has some horrible streetfronts of vinyl and solid walls without windows. The galleries are quiet. Next to no “nightlife”.

Whyte ave has a ton of trendy and cool spots. Major bars and event spaces. More touristy feeling spots, way more retail and foot traffic. Much more vibrant imo.

But whyte also has more noticeable vacancies, disorder, noisier traffic.

Tough to compare. 124th is mostly 30-60 year olds grabbing beers or wine sorta vibe. Whyte ave is sports and music bars, cool retail, gimmicky stores and food.

 

[ChazYEG]

I think 124 is more stable. Whyte is bigger highs and lows.

124 has some horrible streetfronts of vinyl and solid walls without windows. The galleries are quiet. Next to no “nightlife”.

Whyte ave has a ton of trendy and cool spots. Major bars and event spaces. More touristy feeling spots, way more retail and foot traffic. Much more vibrant imo.

But whyte also has more noticeable vacancies, disorder, noisier traffic.

Tough to compare. 124th is mostly 30-60 year olds grabbing beers or wine sorta vibe. Whyte ave is sports and music bars, cool retail, gimmicky stores and food.

Plus 124 benefits from bookending Winketowin, being within walking distance to far more people on a day-to-day basis, and the demographics that the restaurants and retail tends to attract probably has a little bit more disposable income.

 

[David A]

Plus 124 benefits from bookending Winketowin, being within walking distance to far more people on a day-to-day basis, and the demographics that the restaurants and retail tends to attract probably has a little bit more disposable income.

Yes, 124 Street now gets the benefit of the growing population just east of it, which is probably more on the younger side of the 30-60 age range, as well as the well off established areas to the west which are probably more towards the older side.

It certainly doesn't have the touristy feel of Whyte Ave, which also interestingly still has little of the chain retail and hospitality that other cities major retail streets seem have. Perhaps in part this is because no hotels on or near 124 Street or nearby.

 

[thommyjo]

I'm glad this development was finally confirmed today. The Ritchie Hub will replace the Certified Radio lot.

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[UrbanEnjoyer]

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Kind of a lame “Hub” so far. I thought I saw some early renderings showed all the west CRU’s sharing a pretty big patio space. I really don’t understand why a dental clinic felt inclined to lease that spot at what I presume is pretty high rent.

 

[thommyjo]

Kind of a lame “Hub” so far. I thought I saw some early renderings showed all the west CRU’s sharing a pretty big patio space. I really don’t understand why a dental clinic felt inclined to lease that spot at what I presume is pretty high rent.

Beljan has a lot of vacancies across their projects. I’m sure a dentist gives a stability the fancy donut shops don’t.

 

[IanO]

You bet, but to give them the primo spot when their business is not one that requires frontage is unfortunate from a retail standpoint.

 

[Gronk!]

Beljan is an excellent developer but somewhat lousy when wearing the landlord hat.

 

[northlands]

Unfortunately, they still have an fiduciary responsibility to their financial partners to make money

 

[UrbanEnjoyer]

Yeah, admittedly I’m personally disappointed in what this “Hub” is turning out to be. But i’d suggest they’re ultimately being short sighted by going with stable daycare/dentist tenants and forgoing any vision of a retail/restaurant hub which I think had some real viability here.

On a similar note: Epic Food Hall has shut down at station park. They’ll have to get creative to fit the ol’ cannabis store/daycare/pharmacy combo in there since it was purpose built as a food hall lol

 

[David A]

Beljan has a lot of vacancies across their projects. I’m sure a dentist gives a stability the fancy donut shops don’t.

Dental clinics can be a gold mine, so they took the spot because they can afford it. I also feel it doesn't add much, but maybe the dentists feel it is more prestigious for them.

Perhaps some more typical restaurant, bar or retail tenants looked at it and hesitated because the cost was higher.

 

[Tropical]

Yeah, admittedly I’m personally disappointed in what this “Hub” is turning out to be. But i’d suggest they’re ultimately being short sighted by going with stable daycare/dentist tenants and forgoing any vision of a retail/restaurant hub which I think had some real viability here.

On a similar note: Epic Food Hall has shut down at station park. They’ll have to get creative to fit the ol’ cannabis store/daycare/pharmacy combo in there since it was purpose built as a food hall lol

I'd love to see another bar in that space. Its existing layout lends well to that.