[interchange42]

Am I the only one who thinks the basement of a secondary retail building is an ... odd retail move for a market-first location for a major retailer?

It's Bloor-Yorkville PATH connected, there's a busy book/lifestyle retailer across the hall. it's got a very busy grocery store just down the hall, the city's premier high-end stereo/tv store is around the corner, Eataly in the other direction, there are plenty of other shops and a busy Cineplex just up the escalators... this ain't the Aura basement!

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[Bayer]

It's Bloor-Yorkville PATH connected, there's a busy book/lifestyle retailer across the hall. it's got a very busy grocery store just down the hall, the city's premier high-end stereo/tv store is around the corner, Eataly in the other direction, there are plenty of other shops and a busy Cineplex just up the escalators... this ain't the Aura basement!

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I agree; according to their website they initially intend to close at 7 pm, which is not a brillant idea; it's busy down there later at night with Eataly, Indigo, Cineplex, Earl's etc.

 

[innsertnamehere]

I don't mean to say that this is Aura level, it's obviously not. But LL Bean is a large retailer and I would expect them to find a space in a major shopping centre like the Eaton Centre or Yorkdale, or even just a retail unit with direct frontage onto Bloor St as a market entry space.

Manulife Centre is a busy retail centre with lots of entertainment-focused tenants - people generally aren't going there to buy clothes.

 

[fiendishlibrarian]

I don't mean to say that this is Aura level, it's obviously not. But LL Bean is a large retailer and I would expect them to find a space in a major shopping centre like the Eaton Centre or Yorkdale, or even just a retail unit with direct frontage onto Bloor St as a market entry space.

Manulife Centre is a busy retail centre with lots of entertainment-focused tenants - people generally aren't going there to buy clothes.

Yes and no, it's kind of a chicken-and-egg, build-it-and-they-will-come type of situation. I've lived there long enough to remember when there were more clothing stores in the mall - Quattro, etc. - and Ron White shoes and Over the Rainbow seem to do well. LL Bean is a higher price-point, moreso than the old Banana Republic and Club Monaco stores nearby (I worked at both during uni) and a different mix than Harry Rosen so I suspect this was a good lease for the mall: adds to the mix without settling for something lower-tier. I think they'll do well in that sweet spot between fast-fashion and really high-end (don't forget Arc'teryx and Lululemon are both nearby and they ain't cheap). People said the same about Eataly - why Manulife, why not Yorkdale or financial district etc. - and that place is always packed. Basically LL Bean is a clothing equivalent of Eataly, not too fancy, not too down-market. Logistically they have a dedicated and climate-controlled loading dock downstairs and they'll probably validate parking as well which will definitely be a draw. Incidentally I wonder if they looked at the former BR and CM spots and passed on them.

 

[zang]

I don't mean to say that this is Aura level, it's obviously not. But LL Bean is a large retailer and I would expect them to find a space in a major shopping centre like the Eaton Centre or Yorkdale, or even just a retail unit with direct frontage onto Bloor St as a market entry space.

I think L.L. Bean is a lot bigger (at least brick and mortar-wise) in the US. They only have 16 stores in the entire country of Canada. The only people I know who buy from them are seniors.

EDIT: Turns out they're incredibly small in the U.S. as well, with 68 stores nationwide. Notoriety through catalogue/online sales then.

Manulife Centre is a busy retail centre with lots of entertainment-focused tenants - people generally aren't going there to buy clothes.

Over the Rainbow would likely beg to differ with you on that.