Discussions

Home
Discussions
Brandon Chatter
Shoppers Drug Mart moving to the mall

Shoppers Drug Mart moving to the mall

Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Shoppers Drug Mart moving to the mall
8/2/2017 at 10:23 AM

Via press release this AM, the Mall is adding an 18,000 sqft Shoppers Drug Mart location into a portion of unused former Target space... a relocation from their space across the street. ETA late 2018. Going to assume it's the space on the "redevelopment" page that shows a store front in the area of where Five Guys was?
https://shoppersmallbrandon.com/redevelopment/
The_Young_Man
Joined: This month
Posts: 1626

The_Young_Man
Joined: This month
Posts: 1626

Why?
8/2/2017 at 10:46 AM

Why though?...Shoppers Drug Mart has a fairly new large store just across the street from the mall.

Edited by The_Young_Man, 2017-08-02 10:49:25
JessieJay
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 796

JessieJay
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 796

This
8/2/2017 at 11:16 AM

is very disappointing. I will be changing to a different pharmacy-I do not find the mall parking as accessible and prefer not to have to go there regularly.
Kiwiyop
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 679

Kiwiyop
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 679

This is great!
8/2/2017 at 11:32 AM

The sooner, the better! I think I would access it more often then I do now. Fill up that mall!
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

SDM
8/2/2017 at 11:53 AM

Am told it will in fact be the space just to the South of Sobeys and the new entrance that's being built.

I imagine reason for the move has some similarities with Sobeys. A lot of value in being connected to an area where lots of people already are, especially in winter! I'm taking a wait and see re parking. Not convinced there will be many issues outside of perhaps peak grocery times.
Degenerate108
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3801

Degenerate108
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3801

.
8/2/2017 at 12:35 PM

Fine and dandy, what happens with the empty spaces these stores are leaving by jumping into the mall?
Suckie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 208

Suckie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 208

SDM
8/2/2017 at 12:41 PM

Those people saying its a dumb idea to move because its just across richmond ave.... I say this:

Sobeys moved just across 18th st.

Personally i dont think its a smart move just for parking reasons. As it is, I refuse to go to the mall since Sobeys opened up and they are now loosing more parking for 4 restaurants. Not for me, wont go to the mall ever again, No stores there for me. All the stand alone stores elsewhere is good for me.
MrDobalina
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 259

MrDobalina
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 259

Excellent!!!
8/2/2017 at 1:10 PM

Finally I can park once and do everything. especially in the winter. I like going to the mall, looking around grab a few things get some groceries...or get some groceries and then run into the mall for lunch...perfect.
memo99
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 88

memo99
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 88

What????
8/2/2017 at 1:53 PM

There's 30-40 more parking spaces needed at one time that wont be there in the first place once the 4 restaurants are built morgaurd is digging thier own grave people are crazy if they think there's gonna be enough parking look at it even now ive been to the new sobeys once just the other day and i wont be back not because of the store but spending 5 mins sitting waiting to get out of the parking lot its not worth it
NA
Joined: This month
Posts: 495

NA
Joined: This month
Posts: 495

Hours
8/2/2017 at 2:00 PM

Will they keep their current hours I never went there till late anyway, after the mall was closed, they have a better selection than 7-11 at a little more reasonable prices usually, I would assume if they took the Five Guys spot it will be for the separate entrance I hope.
Giddyup
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 473

Giddyup
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 473

new stores please!!
8/2/2017 at 2:07 PM

Any chance we could get some new/different stores in this city??!! All we get are the existing stores moving around but nothing new ever comes. This city is severely lacking in many retail areas. I honestly don't care where the stores are located: in the mall, stand alone store fronts...Brandon is small enough that I'll frequent them regardless of location. Just bring us some new retailers please. I want to shop in Brandon, but it's getting more difficult to do. And before the online shoppers get on my case...Yes I shop online but prefer to actually go shopping for sometimes and more stores in the city = more jobs, which is always nice.
Amber O
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 31

Amber O
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 31

Changes
8/2/2017 at 3:19 PM

I have noticed a lot of changes within the mall. Such as Ricki's is now in the worst little spot ever by Guild Insurance. Now Shoppers Drug Mart is now moving into the mall..... this brings me to wonder if the Liquor Mart will continue to be a stand alone store across 18th street or will it move back into the mall again. Personally I love the strip malls or stand alone stores. The mall has too much of nothing in it and I only go a few times a year to specific stores and leave. I am sure the people behind the business know what they are doing, it just is not appealing to me.
lovetooshop
Joined: This month
Posts: 175

lovetooshop
Joined: This month
Posts: 175

Bad move
8/2/2017 at 3:28 PM

Personally I think this is a very bad move. I shop there regularly because their present location is easy to get in and out of and parking is not a big issue. I use the post office regularly for parcels and will no longer use that store when they move. Can't see them doing the grocery business either being next door to Sobeys. Will find a more convenient location to pick up pres:cription.
JacqPDJ
Joined: This month
Posts: 146

JacqPDJ
Joined: This month
Posts: 146

what about...
8/2/2017 at 3:29 PM

Sobeys pharmacy? Will this not take away from their business?
PrimeConvoy

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 561

PrimeConvoy
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 561

what?
8/2/2017 at 4:09 PM

Sobeys and shoppers are competitors, of course it will take sales away from the sobeys pharmacy, that's probably why they're moving.
snowman5
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1022

snowman5
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1022

Exactly...
8/2/2017 at 5:01 PM

PrimeConvoy said "Sobeys and shoppers are competitors, of course it will take sales away from the sobeys pharmacy, that's probably why they're moving. "

Nothing new with that tactic. Shoppers is part of that Superstore/Loblaw Company Limited and their strategy has been to build as near to their competitors. Remember when Stupidstore tore down a whole block to build right across tenth street of the Safeway? Easy way to bring in more customers by saving the public time and effort to do "comparative shopping". Although, Shoppers may be shooting themselves in the foot with this move. Shared parking will be a inconvenience to those who are accustomed to parking near the doors at the current location. Also, there seems to be better access to and from 18th street where they're at right now. The only advantage I can see in having it at the mall is to have more 'walk in traffic'. And by possibly turning the store into an 24 hour outlet could generate interests for the large senior segment living behind the mall that could trump over Sobey's available services.

Personally, I think that unless it becomes 24 hour store, the gains would be too little. I would have prefer to see them remain where they are and have a London Drugs be the tenant in that spot.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Brenda..
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9544

Brenda..

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 9544

Ricki's

8/2/2017 at 6:04 PM

Amber O said "I have noticed a lot of changes within the mall. Such as Ricki's is now in the worst little spot ever by Guild Insurance. Now Shoppers Drug Mart is now moving into the mall..... this brings me to wonder if the Liquor Mart will continue to be a stand alone store across 18th street or will it move back into the mall again. Personally I love the strip malls or stand alone stores. The mall has too much of nothing in it and I only go a few times a year to specific stores and leave. I am sure the people behind the business know what they are doing, it just is not appealing to me. "

was only there temporarily,while renovations were being done. They are back in their old location.

Now, I just saw where Cleo is in that location, while their store is being renovated.

Edited by Brenda, 2017-08-02 18:12:31

Brenda..
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9544

Brenda..
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9544

really like Shopper's
8/2/2017 at 6:05 PM

there is another one in town that is easy to get to, open the late hours and a big parking lot.
Dange
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 252

Dange
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 252

Am I missing something here?
8/2/2017 at 7:48 PM

Are Brandon''s urban planning folks considering conjestion in that lot with the decisions being allowed/made? How is all this going to affect 18th st. or Richmond avenue movement? What about Aberdeen and 20th street behind the mall? I am beginning to scratch my head.
Secondly Sobey's has a large health and vitality department along with a pharmacy. How can this new store allow a Shoppers Drug Mart to move in next door? What next? Are we going to see another large box retailer try and squeeze its way in somewhere? what happens when the south end of the mall is redeveloped eliminating more parking? Is a skywalk over 18th Street from the former Sobey's lot in the works? Because they are going to need it....unless people really intend on walking or using public transit?

Edited by Dan Forsythe, 2017-08-02 19:58:47
thatswhatshesaid
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 218

thatswhatshesaid
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 218

.
8/2/2017 at 8:37 PM

Toys r us/babies r us
should go where sobeys was.
Simonwalcal
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 839

Simonwalcal
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 839

. . .
8/2/2017 at 9:12 PM

Not sure what I think about this.

I don't go to that store much anyway (closer to Shoppers East) so it might not change much. On the other hand, it may be more convenient, at least when I happen to be at the mall for some reason.

We shall see.
GeeGee of two
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 216

GeeGee of two
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 216

.
8/2/2017 at 9:23 PM

I only shop at shoppers for the convenience of NOT having to go to the mall or Walmart. Quick in and out, not having to fight my way thru all the shoppers and long line ups.
lovetooshop
Joined: This month
Posts: 175

lovetooshop
Joined: This month
Posts: 175

Cosmetics
8/3/2017 at 2:14 AM

I understand this Shoppers will be going out of the frozen foods/groceries dept and big into the cosmetics dept. Will this draw customers?
MrDobalina
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 259

MrDobalina
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 259

I don't understand the ";inconvenient"; part...
8/3/2017 at 7:08 AM

It will have it's own doors...just like it does now. You don't have to "Go to the mall" you just have to park outside, like you do at five guys and go inside...grab your toothpaste and walk back out...easy peasy lemon breezy...
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Shoppers
8/3/2017 at 8:00 AM

A lot of passion on this topic!
A few random thoughts….

I just really have a hard time believing that if someone pulls up to new Shoppers Drug Mart at 11:00pm for a last minute 4L of milk that there'll be much if any difference in the amount of steps from their car to their milk but I guess time will tell

Re Sobeys pharmacy, I wouldn’t automatically assume that Sobeys just found out about this just because we just did (have no info on timelines myself, just speaking to the fact that the public and private sides of business deals may be different). Re multiple pharmacies, wasn't that long ago that there were Target and Safeway pharmacies in the same mall so theres precedent.
Re London Drugs, was in one of their bigger stores a couple months ago and was impressed by how far they get into electronics and seasonal (SDM no slouch themselves). I’m just getting creative here but it’s entirely possible that Shoppers has some kind of clause in their lease re similar businesses. For all we know this came about because London (or Rexall?) were looking at the mall and Shoppers made this move to pre-empt them
Re post office, fingers crossed that it will follow to the mall location. We have a PO box and would be so handy to stop in for mail while doing anything else we have to do at the mall.

Re a skywalk across 18th st. Not sure what option is best to be looked at but I agree 5000% that there needs to be a better pedestrian connection from the mall to 18th. Start by making the crosswalk that lines up with Burger King more pedestrian friendly, more importantly something needs to be done about 18th and Aberdeen which is a natural place for foot traffic to want to cross to connect with the bike path system. Going to guess that skywalk/bridge is a pretty over the top financial commitment but if the Province, City and Morguard put their heads together there has to be some way to make crossing better than it is right now!

Re the comment that Shoppers will be reducing grocery at the new store. Just to make sure we’re dealing in fact in stead of rumour, can you share where that info came from?

But one things for sure.... Boxing Day 2018, mark it on your calendar. Yikes!
Edited by Adam, 2017-08-03 08:53:11
owyhee
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 177

owyhee
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 177

I'd go to other Shoppers
8/3/2017 at 9:27 AM

Lots of info here - thx for it.
I think parking would keep me away: think it w/b terrible.
NOYB
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 611

NOYB
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 611

convenience store
8/3/2017 at 10:26 AM

I treat shoppers as a convenience store. Quick stop for a couple items. Not going to go to the mall for that
pudds
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 247

pudds
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 247

.
8/3/2017 at 1:38 PM

JessieJay said "is very disappointing. I will be changing to a different pharmacy-I do not find the mall parking as accessible and prefer not to have to go there regularly. "

The current shoppers' parking situation is already pretty terrible - narrow spots and aisles, people parking by the curb where they shouldn't, and a terrible corner coming in and out on 18th. The mall can only be an improvement, IMO.
Johnbisonbear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4183

Johnbisonbear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4183

I look forward
8/3/2017 at 2:35 PM

to a brand new store, the only thing is... I hope the store only has an entrance to the parking lot and not to the rest of the Mall.
ultraguy
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1096

ultraguy
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1096

.
8/3/2017 at 3:02 PM

Why? That would be very inconvenient for people in the mall who want to go there.