STATE OF THE MALL: As the city eases restrictions and stores re-open, I'm seeing the effects of poor sales from low foot traffic pre-Covid and the lengthy Covid closure. The following stores are closed permanently; GNC health products, Ricki's ladies wear, Flock chicken and IQ Foods. Most food...

Pivot occupancy is set for October. The website will be available in August showing rental rates and virtual viewings of various units with possible onsite tours in September.

Exterior finishes being applied; white metal panels around the base, rectangular concrete patio tiles form the floor, pergolas and flower beds. Looks like they're on schedule for a late summer-fall opening. No rent costs established yet as Riocan continues to monitor a changing rental market.

Dollarama will soon be moving from their current 6,745 sq. ft. store to a 14,934 sq. ft. location near What a bagel with convenient entrance next to Shoppers Drug Mart. Moving into their old spot will be DSW, (Designer Shoe Warehouse); brand names at discount prices.

Riocan will set rental rates this summer as Pivot is not due to open until Fall. They will be watching vacancy rates and rent values in the city (currently at a low 1% vacancy) before they set their rates. Pivot built small, condo sized units with 1 bedrooms under 500 sq. ft. In comparison, the...

Longo's is now selling beer and wine from 2 coolers near the checkout. Subway Sandwiches opened today leaving one unit to open for a fully occupied food court; Caribbean Cookhouse.

New opening in food court: Tacorrito opened today with a solid lineup through the lunch period. Subway's building permits were issued Oct. 24, more delay.

SunnyRay; The walkways between buildings 2, 4, 6 and the mall are owned by Riocan, not Axes Investments, the owners of Forest Laneway. When Dollarama moves to the new unit, the store will be 3173 sq. feet larger than their current location. Dollarama tells me they will not be taking the...

SunnyRay: You said that the wall east of Shoppers would be opened up (shown as red lines on the retail map) for mall access to Dollarama. A double door was installed at the indicated location when that area was renovated earlier this year. Of course, the current doors are not the finished...

It's a scam to take your money and there are enough gullible people to keep the scam going. Health Canada and FDA would be interested in reading all the phony health claims being made such as protecting you from disease. A single pendant stone may be cheap on Amazon but 2 other vendors are...

RETAIL UPDATE: Another retailer is placing a bet at the Sheppard Centre but in this case I think Riocan is getting desperate to fill the empty units and collect the monthly income. It's certainly not part of Riocan's stated goals of finding an attractive mix of stores that will bring people in...

Retail update: Reitmans ladies clothing is returning to the second floor opposite Fuzz Wax Bar and Virgin Mobile phones is taking over the abandoned Mo's Pretzels kiosk.

The food court is finally fully leased with the addition of Subway next to Tacoritto in the old Potbelly Sandwich location and The Island Caribbean Cookshop between Popeye's and Potatopia. Retail uptake is still slow with 19 units available, which includes the 2 large Sheppard Ave. units...

Real Fruit Bubble Tea opened today near Tim Horton's.Other recent additions are Fuzz Wax Bar and Forest Nails and Spa.

Update on the "Pivot" building: Balcony railings and glass are complete to the 7th floor, drywall is done to the 6th floor and concrete is being poured on the 25th floor. What looked like another sodded green area going in between the loading docks and the apartment bldg. is now filled with...

Saturday, July 20 it's going to be hot and humid. What better than FREE ROOT BEER at any A&W store. See you at the Sheppard Centre store.

Can you elaborate on that?

Tim Horton's re-opened today after months of renovation. Bright, new look, slightly wider, but no increase in seating.

Riocan has placed bee hives in 2 locations on the green roof; one is on the Longo's roof next to the north office building and the other is on the Yonge St. side. You might be able to buy limited edition honey in Longo's. There are workmen on the roof but the bees don't bother them.

The black cladding has an insulation layer on the back side.