I think there's a more complex dynamic...like what even is modern retail with so much online shopping? Many other regional malls have been faltering for some time. As someone else said, other retail destinations have reasons to be there. Eaton Centre is downtown, with so many within walking distance and is often used as a thoroughfare. Yorkdale's got momentum from all the strong retail they can attract. Heck, even Promenade is useful as a community gathering place (well, putting aside COVID).
Hopefully, as COVID fades away, whenever that may be, YSC will find its place. There certainly is a local population with all the buildings attached that could sustain it, not to mention all the other buildings within walking distance!
I think Longo's, Dollarama, Shoppers, are all steady if a bit boring tenants.
LA Fitness takes up so much space, but I suppose it is a draw as well.
I wonder if there's an appetite to have more of a 'pop-up' style, or local market style retail. Not a flea market, but kind of a year-round Etsy style maker place. I recall there's supposed to be a farmer's market in the retail space under construction in one of the condos near Empress.
