[TAS]

Mainly because of theft. No idea why they didn't just hire security. It was always busy.

That's exactly what I heard the issue was, too - store theft. They have security in their mall outlets but don't know when that started.
I'd be surprised if they open a Lulu in Westmount, too, as Kingsway isn't that far away and WEM is their best performing store, at least at one time. If they do open, though, the potential for a dt location is even more dire.

 

[Markyeg]

I also can't see the empty food court area being turned into a parking lot, seeing that GYMVNT is still there. But never say never.

Just because it’s there now doesn’t mean First Capital hasn’t bought out their lease/refused to renew it.

 

[Edmcowboy11]

Me neither, but this is probably the cheaper option, rather than do a lot of maintenance to for it to remain an indoor mall which struggled ever since the huge mall further west was built.

The cost is a whole lot less for the property owners. When Capilano Mall closed there were two or three security guards, a maintenance man, and a couple office workers including the mall manager at the time. When the mall was torn down and the strip mall was built all those jobs except for one disappeared. The strip mall management was centralized to somewhere else and simply added to that portfolio for management. All maintenance was handled by a central company that simply added this property to the portfolio as well.

 

[supplanter]

I suspect housing will not be proposed because it's not on the LRT network. Time to add more LRT lines!

Fairly important transit centre though. I think a limited stop route to downtown and the UofA would be make some density here pretty appetizing

 

[Tropical]

Fairly important transit centre though. I think a limited stop route to downtown and the UofA would be make some density here pretty appetizing

That's actually a very compelling idea.

 

[David A]

That's exactly what I heard the issue was, too - store theft. They have security in their mall outlets but don't know when that started.
I'd be surprised if they open a Lulu in Westmount, too, as Kingsway isn't that far away and WEM is their best performing store, at least at one time. If they do open, though, the potential for a dt location is even more dire.

I'm not that optimistic about a downtown location, but at least there is still an indoor mall which is what they seem to prefer there. I really don't see Lulu being drawn to a strip mall in an older area which is what this is turning into.

 

[Airboy]

When was that? My recollection of it (from skipping class in high school, so many, many years ago) was of a regular (if somewhat dull) mall.

Early to mid 60s, I remember walking through a covered but open mall to Johnson Walkers, and Then it was full enclosed.

 

[ADob]

I'm not that optimistic about a downtown location, but at least there is still an indoor mall which is what they seem to prefer there. I really don't see Lulu being drawn to a strip mall in an older area which is what this is turning into.

I mean, I can hardly blame Lulu. I am not drawn to strip malls myself. I hit Capilano mainly because of its proximity to the H&W and the fact that that particular Wal Mart carries my favourite kefir. The mall itself is pure sadness.

 

[northlands]

Say what you want about Capilano (strip) mall, but it was a very well executed repositioning of a struggling asset.

Lots of opportunity at the current Westmount mall site, curious to see what they propose. Rumors of a Lulu there sound far fetched but I could see FCR trying to make a push for this to become some sort of fitness/athletics/triathlon/outdoors apparel/equipment hub given the proximity to Coronation rec centre. Partial demo in between Safeway->GYMVMT to open it up for better interaction along 112 ave and 135st would be a nice start.

 

[trevorhayden]

There is currently a limited stop service to the U of A

 

[Gus Haynes]

Just because it’s there now doesn’t mean First Capital hasn’t bought out their lease/refused to renew it.

I'm also struggling to picture how that will work... the former Revolver space (which faced the food court, just like the gym) was just recently renovated into a dental clinic.

 

[TAS]

I'm also struggling to picture how that will work... the former Revolver space (which faced the food court, just like the gym) was just recently renovated into a dental clinic.

And soon the windows of the dental clinic will be looking outside at a parking lot - which explains why currently a customer has to enter through two sets of doors to get into the clinic from inside a mall.