This week Craig & Lee talk about the opening of Ladurée in downtown Toronto and how it’s different, the Hammam Spa by Céla’s experiential addition to Toronto’s Bayview Village, and the third Summerhill Market opening in Toronto as the company looks to open a fourth amid a strategy of buying store real estate outright.
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Discussed this episode:
Ladurée opening in downtown Toronto, and related articles:
(March 2016)
(December 2017)
(July 2018)
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Canada Computers & Electronics has opened its flagship location in Toronto’s North York area in what it calls the biggest computer retailer store in Canada.
The store at 6600 Yonge Street features a unique Smart Home area in the store as an interactive experience for customers as well as a unique store-in-store concept for popular brands.
Haingjin Moon, Marketing Manager for the company, said the retail space for the store is about 45,000 square feet.
PHOTO: CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS
CLICK FOR INTERACTIVE MAP
“It’s located right at Centrepoint Mall in Toronto. It’s right at the corner where a major bus stop is. We used to have a store located in North York and that was one of our biggest revenue generators. However, we had to close the store because the building was set to be demolished for a condominium development. We closed that store in October of last year,” said Moon.
“When we were building the store space in North York, we had an overwhelming welcome from our customers. After our previous store closed, customers had to travel all the way to Midtown Toronto or Vaughan. Now that our new flagship is open, everyone’s really, really excited.”
Because the space is so huge, Moon said Canada Computers is doing something different from most other stores. That includes introducing a store-in-store concept with key brands that have dedicated space within the flagship. Smaller size store-in-store formats are about 10 feet by 10 feet, with bigger formats measuring about 20 feet by 30 feet.
Popular brands carried in the store include Corsair, Logitech, Asus and Razer.
PHOTO: CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS
The stores have 13 brands located in the store-in-store open concept spaces.
“We also have a Smart Home area at the back of the store. The whole reason to place that Smart Home within the store at the very back is because we wanted to have a proper customer experience in that location, and we wanted to make sure that the customers are walking through to the back of the store. We don’t want you to miss anything,” said Moon.
The Smart Home area has various products for a home that can be controlled through someone’s phone or tablet. The Smart Home has areas for home theatres, gaming, music, creators and an area for products for bedrooms and home offices.
PHOTO: CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS
PHOTO: CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS
“The store is right in the heart of the Midtown area – very close where students from university would be commuting using the transit system and is accessible from multiple highways within five to 10 minutes,” said Arun Sharma, Director of Retail Operations.
Although the North York location is currently open, it will have a grand opening on Saturday December 14 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30am. Door crasher sales will be offered that day and will feature deals that will be available that Saturday as well as on Sunday December 15.
On the grand opening, there will be prizes, snacks, refreshments and a lucky draw for customers.
PHOTO: CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS
Canada Computers was founded in 1991 as a retailer of personal computers, IT and components, as well as consumer electronics.
The first Canada Computers location was in Kingston, Ontario.
The retailer does custom built PCs and has its own pre-built house brand computer system and in-house brand iCAN (brand features: office furniture, cables, keyboards, mouse pads, household appliances, etc.)
Today, the company has 37 locations – five in British Columbia, one in Nova Scotia, five in Quebec, and 26 in Ontario. Last week Retail Insider reported on the new Halifax store which held its grand opening on Black Friday.
Upcoming stores are expected in Cambridge and Oakville, Ontario next year.
Calgary-based FYidoctors/Visique, the world’s largest optometrist-owned eye care company, has expanded into the growing field of medical aesthetics.
The company has acquired ReNue, a chain of doctor-led medical aesthetics clinics based in Calgary. This acquisition marks a significant growth opportunity for FYidoctors, said Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO and Chairman of FYidoctors.
“To our core, FYidoctors is dedicated to enhancing the lives of our patients,” said Ulsifer. “We are committed to doctor-led patient care, which makes joining forces with ReNue a natural fit. As patients continue to seek out a personalized health care approach, we are positioned to support them on that journey.
“Our DNA in FYi is enhancing life and (ReNue) really aligns with our thinking. The world’s changed from medical aesthetics when it used to be something that was taboo. It’s growing quite dramatically because of all the changes in technology around non-surgical treatments to have people feel younger and better and it’s become less taboo. Early days, people didn’t talk about these sorts of things and we’re seeing more and more people now – it’s almost like an everyday routine.
“The market in Canada is around $10 billion in revenue so far bigger than you would have ever dreamed of. And shockingly one of the big market segments is Millennials that are getting into that space.”
Recently, FYidoctors acquired Grimard Optique, a Quebec-based vision care and retail chain with 22 locations, bringing its total portfolio to 250 locations across Canada – 70 of them added in 2019 alone – and it supports about 50 independent optometrists.
ReNue was founded in 2002 by Dr. Jason McWhirter as an extension of his established medical practice. It provides holistic patient-centric care that helps patients look and feel confident. Blending the safety, security and technology of a medical practice with a highly refined aesthetic sensibility, ReNue offers patients advanced skin care, hair removal, body services, as well as minimally invasive cosmetic options, all in a private and relaxed setting.
It has three locations – one in downtown Calgary, one in the southeast neighbourhood of Seton in Calgary, and one in Airdrie.
“Partnering with a powerhouse like FYidoctors that shares our values of putting patients before products, will enhance our footprint and, ultimately, the quality of care we provide,” said McWhirter. “By bringing together our medical aesthetics expertise with FYidoctors’ established system for business support and growth, ReNue is ready to expand operations to bring our trusted, modern and holistic approach to many more patients across Canada.”
Ulsifer said ReNue has shown tremendous growth since its inception and he thought the business was a good one for FYidoctors to become involved with and help grow.
“We spent 11 years building infrastructure for consolidating independent optometrists adding value through automation systems, marketing and frankly saw the same opportunity with (ReNue),” he said.
“It’s a fascinating business and for us to get into it it was really about leadership. And really we’re the engine for Jason and his colleagues to go forward and really try to execute on a similar vision as what we did with FYi.”
FYidoctors has been continuously expanding its footprint across Canada, adding almost 70 new locations in 2019 to date. Currently, operations occupy more than 480,000 square feet of retail space, with an additional 47,000 square feet for their state-of-the-art ophthalmic laboratory and distribution centre in Delta, BC.
The company was founded in April 2008 with a location in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
“The plans (for medical aesthetics) is to mimic what we’ve done at FYidoctors. It’s to bring a bunch of independent brands that are offering high quality care and to help elevate that and to help create a message to the market around that quality care being meaningful in people’s lives and how important it is,” said Ulsifer.
“It’s an industry that’s looking for help. Just like in optometry, there’s all kinds of new technology, changes coming out, there’s costs involved in that, we’ve been able to simplify a complicated world for optometrists and hope to do the same in this industry.”
A robust industrial real estate market has pushed vacancy rates in major Canadian markets to such low levels that rents are soaring across the country due to the space crunch.
It’s having a significant impact on retailers trying to meet the demand in their stores, and more particularly, in the growing ecommerce sector of the business.
MATT POWERS, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, RETAIL & E-COMMERCE DISTRIBUTION, JLL
“If you look back historically at rising rents, retailers had flexible options and the opportunity to relocate in rural areas, for example. At the end of the day, they’re trying to deliver to their store base. The ability to be in the rural markets with more readily available land, transportation available centrally and enough employees for those operations is essentially what they’re trying to achieve,” said Matt Powers, Executive Vice President, Retail & E-Commerce Distribution, JLL, based out of Chicago and formerly Walmart’s Real Estate Director in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
“What ecommerce has done is turn things on its head,” continued Powers. “Same-day and next-day delivery are highly in demand, which necessitates being in direct proximity to the larger markets. Retailers who have traditionally been low-cost in their approach to locating real estate are now having to swallow much larger leasing costs. When you start weighing everything out, it really is the transportation and labour that are much more expensive than the real estate costs. So, if you’re able to be closer to a metro area, you’re still saving significantly on transportation, and this offsets that increased rent.”
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Marshall Toner, Executive Vice President and National Lead, Industrial, JLL Canada and based in Calgary, said lease rates are a small percentage of the total end costs for a distributor or retailer.
MARSHALL TONER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND NATIONAL LEAD, INDUSTRIAL, JLL CANADA (BASED IN CALGARY)
“Occupancy costs are significant but not as big of a number as people may think. We’re in a completely new era right now. Historical data is very tough to forecast with because ecommerce is a complete disruptor. Today, there’s a whole shift in philosophy and in the way retailers have been doing business in the past with the advent of ecommerce. People are working out of fulfillment centres, stores are reducing in their size, and the warehouse footprint is growing,” said Toner.
“With this whole ecommerce disruption, we just don’t know how many retailers are going to embrace it, how big it’s going to get,” added Toner. “I would say forecasting where industrial real estate’s going to go in the next three to ten years is probably going to be the biggest challenge for developers, for the retailers themselves, and for people on the brokerage side. We’re in a game-changing time with less variables to go on for forecasting than we had in the past.”
Matt Powers also said retailers are willing to stay relevant to maintain market share and spend more money to be closer to today’s consumer.
PHOTO: SHIPBOB.COM
Toner added that with the increasing amount of product coming from Asia, being close to intermodal lines is becoming increasingly more significant, as well. It’s a key part of the supply chain.
THOMAS FORR, NATIONAL RESEARCH DIRECTOR, JLL CANADA
“The distribution box of the past was just a box with as many doors as possible. Storage and delivery today are a much different story. When you start moving toward last-mile delivery or fulfillment centres, parking for employees becomes an important factor; so does power for material handling. That wasn’t always the issue in the standard distribution buildings of the past,” added Toner.
A recent third quarter market report by JLL said vacancy has held steady in Canada below the three per cent mark in the industrial real estate market. That has caused rents to surge 10.9 per cent above what they were a year ago. Under construction space also grew to 28.4 million square feet, up 24.5 per cent year over year.
“Tight market conditions in the overall Canadian industrial market persisted in Q3 with vacancy holding steady at 2.7 per cent,” said Thomas Forr, National Research Director, JLL Canada. In Toronto and Vancouver, the nation’s hottest markets, vacancy is below the two per cent mark. Meanwhile, Montreal joined the sub three per cent vacancy club this quarter at 2.8 per cent and Ottawa clocked in at 2.3 per cent. While the major eastern markets and Vancouver all experience sub three per cent vacancy, the Prairie markets remained more balanced with vacancy rates ranging from 4.2 in Winnipeg to 7.3 in Calgary. This mirrors the slower economic growth in the region for the past few years due to a sluggish energy sector, said the JLL report.
“Industrial real estate is a very desired commodity and a very active market segment in commercial real estate,” said Toner. “Total inventory in the Vancouver market is 320 million square feet, Toronto is 800 million square feet and Montreal is 220 million square feet.”
AMAZON’S MASSIVE WAREHOUSE ON BOUNDARY ROAD IN OTTAWA. IMAGE: BROCCOLINI
While vacancy has hovered at a cyclical low since Q1 2019, occupier growth has slowed notably over that time. Occupied industrial space grew rapidly between Q4 2017 and Q1 2019, averaging 7.8 million square feet of positive net absorption per quarter over that time. However, the past two quarters saw less than three million square feet of positive net absorption per quarter. While Toronto and Vancouver drove occupier growth through Q1 2019, these markets are now lacking vacant space to accommodate growth. Interestingly, Ottawa accounted for almost 40 per cent of occupant growth despite only accounting for 2.1 per cent of the nation’s industrial inventory. This disproportionate number was due to Amazon’s occupancy of its one million square foot distribution facility on Boundary Road.
The amount of space under construction in Canada rose to 27.7 million in the third quarter, up 22 per cent from a year ago, and a cyclical high
The report also states that ecommerce retailers accounted for 18.9 per cent of the leasing volume in Canada in the third quarter. Amazon’s one-million-square-foot deal at 6351 Steeles Ave East in Toronto helped propel this sector ahead of the pack in third quarter. Another notable Greater Toronto Area deal includes Bridgestone’s 500,000-square-foot deal at Prologis’ site in nearby Hamilton. Other deals this quarter included Diageo Canada Inc., an alcoholic beverages vendor, renewing at 825 Boulevard des Érables for 485,000 square feet in the Montreal area and McKesson Canada inking a 350,000-square-foot deal at the Panattoni Apex site in Edmonton.
RENDERING OF AMAZON’S WAREHOUSE AT 6351 STEELES AVE EAST IN TORONTO IMAGE: BROCCOLINI
“We’re definitely seeing a healthy industrial market [in the U.S.],” said Powers. “Demand is pretty evident if you’re in New York City or on the West Coast in L.A. We’ve seen about 73.6 million square feet of new industrial completions hit the market just here in quarter three of 2019. There’s a lot of faith in what the future holds.”
Exponential growth in e-commerce and a population boom in the heart of Canada’s major urban centers has increased demand for consumers’ goods to be rapidly delivered to these cities. This sudden surge in demand is putting strain on existing warehouse supply resulting in stubbornly low vacancy rates and rapid rental rate appreciation.
The coming years will test the innovation of landlords, retailers and real estate brokers to find solutions to these challenges.
Vancouver-based footwear company Casca has launched its proprietary 3D technology, unlocking personalized fit for consumers, thanks to a $3.5 million investment led by Khosla Ventures and joined by Tobias Lutke, founder of Shopify.
“At Casca, our vision is to set a new standard for the future of footwear,” said co-founder Braden Parker. “A big part of this is the way we manufacture. Casca challenges traditional manufacturing with a fresh approach that is customized, automated, and decentralized. Leading to a better quality shoe, and a better overall customer experience.”
Parker said Casca aims to redefine the everyday shoe through timeless design and purposeful material and manufacturing innovation. Casca’s holistic approach to design incorporates advanced technology, high-performing premium materials, and the pursuit of zero waste initiatives to create the perfect everyday shoe.
PHOTO: NEIL BARBISAN
PHOTO: NEIL BARBISAN
“We originally started Casca along with this movement of athleisure and the way that people were wearing all-day clothes sort of shifting. We found that people were really wearing three specific types of shoes. You have the kind of like high-performance running shoes that were being worn every day. And then you have people who were wearing Converse and Vans and sort of everyday shoes but they didn’t provide any sense of support for high performance. And the third group was the premium classics. Well-designed shoes,” said Parker.
“So out of necessity, my co-founder and I had a similar problem. We felt that there wasn’t a shoe that combined all those various elements. So we set out to do just that – to create the perfect everyday shoe, and we wanted to design it in a way that could be worn in any environmental or social setting. That was really where the original intent came from.”
Parker said the company’s use of 3D-printing technology dramatically increases efficiency and reduces waste, specifically within the manufacturing phase. Casca hopes to fully decentralize the supply chain and manufacture 100 per cent custom-fit shoes in store by 2029.
3D PRINTERS PHOTO: NEIL BARBISAN
3D PRINTERS PHOTO: NEIL BARBISAN
“Every individual is incredibly unique and their feet are incredibly unique. So we were wanting to go out and find the solution that could provide a customized support for every individual and that’s really what led us into the 3D printing realm and so now we basically are creating our shoes using some traditional manufacturing techniques and integrating it with some advanced digital manufacturing techniques on our quest to create a perfect everyday shoe.”
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Casca recently opened its doors to the company’s first retail space at 4166 Main St, in Vancouver, BC. The store has about 500 square-feet of retail space with another 500 square-feet of 3D printing space where it has about 36 printers.
“The human foot is more unique than a fingerprint and customized insoles help provide optimal support,” said co-founder Kevin Reid. “Working with podiatrists, we provide advanced orthotic support that is typically overlooked in mass-produced footwear. We’re determined to create holistic solutions that are healthier, higher functioning and stand the test of time.”
Parker said the store’s sleek interior invites guests to try on Casca’s signature sneakers and experience the entire FootB3DTM process from start to finish, with the brand’s operating 3D printers on display.
Reid described the design of the retail space. “Designed by Dublin-based designer Eponine Leahy, the space reflects Casca’s combination of craft and tech, providing an immersive environment to display our innovation and welcome in the Vancouver community.”
The company’s debut model, Avro, features a custom FootB3DTM printed insole and proprietary support system to deliver a precise fit and advanced comfort. Avro is available in two climate-oriented options; Avro crafted from waterproof leather and Avro Knit, constructed with a highly-breathable, seamless knit upper. Both models feature Casca’s patented orthotic system, Lift OS, designed to secure the foot and provide support in all the right places.
FootB3DTM is 3D printed according to precise arch and foot measurements, as well as adjustments to the shoe cavity by raising or lowering the FootB3DTM height. Casca shoes and FootB3DTM are delivered to your door in 14 days or less.
CO-FOUNDERS KEVIN REID AND BRADEN PARKER. PHOTO: NEIL BARBISAN
Parker said the company does have a goal to expand its retail operations.
“We don’t have anything immediately in the pipeline. This is really our first store. So the existing plan is to really create that perfect customer experience. In the next six months we’ll start looking at new locations,” he said.
“We’ll take a look at Toronto, potentially Calgary, and maybe doing a few pop-ups as well to sort of test demand in all the various cities before we go in.”
A newly launched boutique fitness concept has officially opened in downtown Toronto. Located at 225 Yonge Street, on the corner of Yonge and Shuter, Sweat & Tonic is the city’s newest hotspot for fitness enthusiasts at a time when other concepts are also expanding in the city.
Encompassing 16,000 square feet in a historic three-storey facility steps from the CF Toronto Eaton Centre – North America’s busiest mall – Sweat & Tonic positions itself as a state-of-the-art, world-class boutique fitness and wellness hub.
Providing members with a cocktail of fitness classes, such as yoga, HIIT, and ride, Sweat & Tonic’s dynamic space also houses a premium cafe and bar, a spa and wellness area, and an event space, all offering room for guests to recharge, recover, socialize, and work.
PHOTO: SWEAT & TONIC
CHI JUNKY YOGA STUDIO. PHOTO: SWEAT & TONIC
CHI JUNKY YOGA STUDIO. PHOTO: SWEAT & TONIC
“The wellness aspect of Sweat & Tonic is just as important to us as the fitness aspect. We ensure that members have room to relax before and after class, and have areas to get some work done or socialize with friends”, says Morgan Thomas, Sweat & Tonic’s General Manager.
With over 150 fitness classes offered to members weekly, Sweat & Tonic prides itself on proving top-quality fitness and strength training all offered by expert instructors, each who have designed their individual classes to ensure optimal physical and mental strength.
The yoga studio by Chi Junky is a warm and inviting space located on the top floor of the building. Chi Junky, which also operates out of a studio in Toronto’s Leslieville area, says that it believes that yoga and meditation are often interrupted by the dragging of mats, moving of props, and the general inconveniences that come along with attending a yoga class. Chi Junky says that it is currently the only yoga studio in Toronto that provides members with everything required for a productive class and will also take care of the clean up afterwards, ensuring that the benefits of Savasana continue throughout your day. This ideology has been carried through to their Sweat & Tonic studio, making the experience both luxurious and immersive.
HIIT STUDIO. PHOTO: SWEAT & TONIC
HIIT STUDIO. PHOTO: SWEAT & TONIC
The HIIT studio, located on the ground floor, is brimming with TechnoGym treadmills (that have the ability to turn into sled pushes and a multitude of other sweat-inducing activities), free weights, resistance bands, punching bags, and more. This high-intensity training is provided at different intensities, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to avail of the studio, regardless of your fitness level.
RIDE STUDIO. PHOTOS: SWEAT & TONIC
The ride studio can be found in the basement providing a range of immersive spin classes. Incorporating both metric and rhythm rides, the music, lights, and comfortability of the bike allow for a transformative and exciting workout. The TechnoGym bikes are comfortable and ahead of competitors in terms of technology.
The wide variety of classes means there is something for everyones’ ability and preference, according to Sweat & Tonic. Yoga mats, boxing gloves, and cycling shoes are all provided free of charge.
The three fitness studios in the facility are joined by the elite Tonic House — an event and workspace designed to host corporate retreats and pop-ups, and also for people to catch up on business before and after classes. There is even a dedicated soundproof pod for people to take important or confidential business calls while working in Tonic House.
RENDERING OF TONIC HOUSE.
Creative lounge spaces inspire collaboration and innovation, and these characteristics embody what Sweat & Tonic is all about. “So many people work flexible schedules or work remotely in today’s society. We wanted to create a conducive space for people to work before or after their work out. It was important for us to create a one-stop-shop so to speak. We want people to spend time in this space and feel productive and/or relaxed while doing so,” said Ms. Thomas.
Given its proximity to the Toronto Eaton Centre and local hospitals, Sweat & Tonic has broadened its available class times. There will be classes offered as early as 5:30am and as late as 9:00pm to facilitate those who work shifts at the hospital or retail at the mall. This commitment further drives home the feeling of community, inclusiveness, and convenience that all create the backbone for the studio.
Also under the Sweat & Tonic roof is ‘nutbar’. Described as a “superfood snack cafe”, nutbar was founded by Toronto-based holistic nutritionist Kate Taylor Martin, and works in collaboration with Sweat & Tonic to provide members with the full wellness experience. A range of nutbar snacks are available to both members and others who are passing by the studio. The nutbar concept has two other locations within the city — one in Summerhill and the other in Leslieville.
NUTBAR. PHOTO: SWEAT & TONIC
NUTBAR. PHOTO: SWEAT & TONIC
In addition to the nutbar cafe, a full bar is available to those who need to wind down after a workout. The Sweat & Tonic bar celebrates the heritage of the building it now resides in which opened in 1947 as The Silver Rail, Toronto’s first cocktail bar. The bar was designed with this in mind, even including one barstool upholstered to match the original pink seating.
The wellness experience continues into the locker rooms, with post-workout luxuries such as rain showers, all-natural spa products, and towel services all available. The lockers feature usb charging stations so that devices will be ready to work after one’s class.
Spa services round out the wellness experience at Sweat & Tonic. Infrared Saunas, made locally by SaunaRay and featuring all-natural solid Ontario basswood, are available to members, as well as Somadome meditation pods, express facials, and RMT massage.
A retail space featuring an assortment of apparel such as Lululemon and Sweat & Tonic gear, as well as a curated variety of wellness products are accessible to members and the public alike.
This innovative wellness hub is unlike anything in North America to date. The community aspect that has been intertwined into every corner of the studio sets it apart from its competitors.
RETAIL SPACE. PHOTOS: SWEAT & TONIC
The magnificent and intricate studio design was imagined and executed by award-winning design, architecture, and project management firm, Cutler, based out of Vancouver. Their vision was a vital part of ensuring Sweat & Tonic became Toronto’s newest, hottest gym. To learn more or to sign up for a membership or credits visit sweatandtonic.com.
An impressive spa concept has opened at Toronto’s Bayview Village and it’s unlike anything in a Canadian shopping centre to date. Called the Hammam Spa by Céla, the massive space caters to an affluent demographic that is known to frequent the area.
Located on the south east end of the Bayview Village mall and across from a Pusateri’s Fine Foods grocery store, the Hammam Spa by Céla spans across two levels. The ground floor operates as a retail space and the second level houses an impressive spa component. It is contained in part of the space vacated by a Chapters bookstore last year.
This 13,000 square-foot spa is a transformative, otherworldly space. A modern interpretation of traditional Turkish baths, and tailored to relieve everyday stresses, Hammam Spa by Céla transports you to Eastern Europe with soft music, aromatic smells, a lavish tea room (with treats such as baklava and Turkish delight), and a full-service Turkish-inspired spa.
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BAYVIEW VILLAGE MALL FLOOR PLAN, SHOWING THE MAIN LEVEL ENTRANCE TO THE HAMMAM SPA. MOST OF THE SPA’S SPACE IS LOCATED UPSTAIRS. CLICK IMAGE FOR INTERACTIVE MALL FLOOR PLAN.BAYVIEW VILLAGE. IMAGE: QUADREAL
At the spa, one may “discover a place where ancient traditions create a modern retreat, where nature’s beauty works in harmony with your own, and where renewal and growth are elementary”, its website states. Hammam Spa by Céla says that it is designed to host guests and their many needs by indulging one in a range of transformative treatments inspired by age-old rituals. Services provided include intensive facials, many of which use the SkinCeutical skincare line. That includes a range of luxury massage services, high-end manicures and pedicures, a variety of detoxifying wraps, and what it is best known for, Turkish baths.
BAYVIEW VILLAGE. IMAGE: QUADREAL
BAYVIEW VILLAGE. IMAGE: QUADREAL
A Turkish bath promises to sooth and cleanse one’s body with purifying and refreshing bathing techniques that are designed to exfoliate and moisturize the skin. It begins in the Hammam by Céla steam room before heading to the the Turkish suites, where each suite houses a heated Marble bed to relax on while one’s senses are ignited by a mixtures of hot and cold water, layers of moisturizing bubbles, and eucalyptus black soap.
The Hammam tea room provides an opportunty for the relaxation to perpetuate after one’s treatment. Designed with hand-painted murals on the walls and intricate wooden bucket chairs that envelop you as you sit, Hammam’s tea room is always stocked with tea and Turkish treats. The colour palette of deep greens, navy blues, greys, and burnt oranges create a tranquil space to lounge in. Hammam’s tea room was created to provide a space for people to rest either before or after their treatment and it is the perfect space for silent reflection or group interaction, says Hammam Spa by Céla founder, Celine Tadrissi.
PHOTO: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (TEA ROOM)
PHOTO: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (TEA ROOM)
Adjacent to the tea room is a dedicated manicure and pedicure space. A row of manicure chairs are lined up at a long, light-wood table, with individual sinks installed for convenience and ease of operation. Behind is the pedicure area. Designed with privacy and comfort in mind, each pedicure chair is somewhat enclosed and independent to those next to it, with a curtain partition between each one. The same beautiful wooden chairs that can be found in the tea room are placed intentionally within this space, inviting guests to switch off.
PHOTO: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (MANICURE & PEDICURE SPACE)
Much of the space was designed by Antonio Tadrissi, Celine’s husband and the President of Prototype Design Lab. Antonio is an internationally celebrated artist, recognized for his work in architecture, interior design, and industrial deigns, to name a few. Prototype Design Lab is a multi-platform design studio and workshop based in Toronto.
PHOTOS: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (PRIVATE FACIAL ROOMS)
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In addition to the above amenities, there are multiple private massage and facial rooms as you walk further into the spa. Each room provides ultimate privacy and silence, with some set up for couples massages.
Perhaps the most breathtaking aspect of Hammam Spa by Céla is the steam room. Covered from floor to ceiling with small, iridescent tiles, the large room creates an other-worldly experience. This immersive experience can be enjoyed before or after a treatment or on its own.
PHOTO: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (STEAM ROOM)
PHOTO: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (STEAM ROOM)
For the past 14 years, Hammam Spa has been servicing the people of downtown Toronto at its 602 King Street West location. Located on the north-west corner of King Street West and Portland Street, the original Hammam Spa services approximately 900 guests a week. It’s a telltale sign that a second location was needed, said Celine.
At just over 7,000 square feet, the King Street location features a very different decor from its new sister spa. While providing the same luxury and full-service treatments, its rustic decor set just below ground level offers a very different feel than that of the location at Bayview Village which resides on the second storey and hosts high ceilings and an open concept.
PHOTOS: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (RETAIL SPACE AND FRONT ENTRANCE)
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As part of the retail aspect in both locations, Celine’s skincare range, Céla is available for purchase, along with particular SkinCeuticals products, and other high-end brands for skin and hair.
PHOTO: CELA
Launched last year, Céla, was a product of trial and error, created with Hammam clients in mind and perfected partly due to their feedback, Celine says. Born of Celine’s love of skincare and natural ingredients, Céla came to be in the back room of the King and Portland location. “I played around with ingredients and guests would give me feedback on the different concoctions.” Finally she developed the perfect blend of ingredients to service her clients’ needs and today Céla is available for purchase in both Hammam locations.
Céla pays homage to Canada and the extensive abundance of northern botanicals housed within its borders. Canada is not often utilized to its full extent when it comes to natural ingredients usable for skincare, says Celine, which turns out to be ten times the amount found in Switzerland, a country renowned for its miracle skincare contributions. Céla is the first, and currently the only, Canadian, luxury skincare line and aims “to nourish the body and soul alike”. Céla products are used in many of the spa treatments provided at Hammam, primarily in the full body treatments.
Hammam also offers a range of medical aestheitc treatments under the guidance of Dr. Sean Rice. “I’m very excited to be partnering with Hammam Spa and SkinCeuticals to establish Hammam Medical Aesthetics. Celine and I share the same approach and focus to provide exceptional client care and service which is why this is such an inspiring collaboration. The extension of offering Medical Services of Injectables, Industry leading Laser and Skin treatments only complements the high level of products and luxurious services Hammam and SkinCeuticals have become known for. I know Hammam Spa at Bayview Village and Hammam Medical Aesthetics will become a destination for those seeking an elite level of personalized beauty and care, in the most stunning surroundings.”
PHOTO: HAMMAH SPA BY CELA
Bayview Village is currently the only shopping centre in Canada to feature such a spa concept. At 13,000 square feet, the Hammam spa acts as an anchor while at the same time providing heightened experiences for guests. For several years now, Bayview Village has been curating experiences at the centre in an effort to attract affluent locals to the centre, while at the same time differentiating Bayview Village from other shopping centres in the area. Bayview Village is owned by QuadReal Property Group. Under the direction of Melissa Evans-Lee, VP of Marketing at QuadReal, Bayview Village has been positioned as a “glam” destination. In the spring of 2017, Retail Insider was welcomed to the centre and given a tour that included a meal at one of Bayview Village’s restaurants, as well as treatments at a local beauty retail concept. The addition of the Hammam spa takes the experience at Bayview Village to a whole new level and will no doubt attract affluent locals from nearby areas such as the Bridle Path — while Yorkdale is home to luxury retailers, it lacks the experience that Hammam will provide to Bayview’s guests.
Direct access to senior leaders from Canada’s biggest retailers is the hallmark of Retail Council of Canada’s exclusive Leaders in Retail Breakfast Series. These events provide access for vendors and suppliers to hear directly from senior retail executives about their business strategies and future plans – without retail competitors or media in the room.
Next week, the final two events in RCC’s 2019 series will feature two powerhouse retail companies whose influence is far reaching across Canada: Canadian Tire Corporation on December 10th, and Loblaw Companies Limited on December 12th.
Both events will take place at the Delta Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre. Take full advantage of networking opportunities as team members from these companies will also be present to answer questions from attendees.
On December 10th, vendors and suppliers will hear first-hand insights from Canadian Tire Corporation’s Executive Vice-President of Retail, Allan MacDonald. This is the ideal event for those looking to expand their business – not only into home improvement and hardware retail, but sporting goods, clothing and apparel as well.
Allan is responsible for nearly 1,700 Canadian Tire retail outlets across Canada, as well as Mark’s and FGL Sports’ businesses (Sport Chek, Atmosphere, National Sports, Hockey Experts, and Nevada Bob’s Golf among others). Allan’s reach covers Canadian Tire Corporation’s high-quality product assortments and world-class brand marketing, private label portfolios, stores and eCommerce channels, and fostering relationships with Canadian Tire’s Associate Dealers. The chance to hear Allan’s perspective on retail in Canada is one that shouldn’t be missed.
For the first time ever, the December 12th event will feature a panel with four senior leaders from Loblaw’s Customer Executive Team:
· Garry Senecal, Chief Customer Officer, Loblaw
· Christine Farrugia, Vice President, Customer Centre of Excellence
· Herman Paek, Senior Vice President, Loblaw Digital
As one of Canada’s largest grocery and pharmacy retailers, Loblaw Companies Limited’s portfolio includes more than 2,000 retail outlets across Canada (notable chains include Shoppers Drug Mart, T&T Supermarket, Fortinos, Provigo, Real Canadian Superstore, Zehrs, no frills, to name a few) and the popular private label brands, President’s Choice, Joe Fresh, no name and Life. Those in attendance will be inspired to expand their business potential as they hear an in-depth conversation about the customer’s influence on eCommerce, grocery, pharmacy, healthcare, merchandising and more.
To register for these events, visit RetailCouncil.org/leaders. Individual tickets are available, but vendors and suppliers can receive a 10% discount when they register five or more team members.
GLASS FACADE AT THE YORKDALE BALENCIAGA FLAGSHIP. PHOTO: NORMAN KATZ
Kering-owned French luxury brand Balenciaga has opened its first standalone Canadian storefront at Toronto’s Yorkdale shopping centre. It’s part of a direct-to-consumer boutique expansion for Balenciaga that began late last year with a concession expansion. More standalone boutiques are expected for Canada as Balenciaga sees growth in the Canadian market.
The open-concept Yorkdale Balenciaga flagship features the brand’s collection of ready-to-wear, footwear, and accessories, including an expansive assortment of leather goods and bags. Apparel ranges from the conservative to some of Balenciaga’s edgier designs which includes a range of streetwear pieces including sneakers which have seen strong sales for the brand globally.
Over the past several years, Balenciaga’s designs have skewed towards being more casual in nature reflecting the latest fashion trends — at one time, the brand was known for its ornate ball gowns designed by founder Cristobal Balenciaga. Under the direction of creative director Demna Gvasalia, who has been with the fashion house since 2015, Balenciaga’s casual designs have targeted a younger demographic.
PHOTO: NORMAN KATZ
Product in the Yorkdale Balenciaga storefront is displayed on a new system of racks and shelves, according to the brand. Shelving is made from extruded aluminum and with racks lining the walls with apparel displayed from branded hangers.
Carpeting is a soft lilac colour and features Balenciaga’s logo edged into the design. Rough pebble finishes are found both on flooring as well as walls. Seating in the boutique is inspired by public transportation, and tract lighting on the ceiling is described as being ‘utilitarian’ in nature.
Soon, a sculpture by artist Tobias Spichtig will be featured in the space — it’s part of a worldwide project where artworks are placed in freestanding Balenciaga stores worldwide.
PHOTO: TINA PRESTON FOX
PHOTO: TINA PRESTON FOX
The Yorkdale Balenciaga flagship includes 3,326 square feet of retail in a leased space spanning about 4,700 square feet. The boutique is located across from Yorkdale’s flagship Holt Renfrew store and is next to recently opened flagships for luxury brands Bottega Veneta and Valentino. Another major luxury brand will locate on the other side of Balenciaga in 2020 as the stretch of Yorkdale’s 2012 expansion wing is repositioned as a place for luxury brands by landlord Oxford Properties.
Balenciaga takes the place of a Hugo Boss store that occupied the space for several years. Earlier in the fall, Hugo Boss relocated to a larger space up the hall that includes a 6,663 square-foot main level with an additional 2,000 square feet of space on a mezzanine level, according to a lease plan.
Holt Renfrew, which faces Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, and Valentino, recently saw an expansion that has added several large boutique spaces. Balenciaga itself has a presence at Holt Renfrew despite the freestanding store being so close by — a temporary space in Holts men’s department is dedicated to Balenciaga, for example.
PHOTO: BALENCIAGA
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Several months ago, Gucci opened a stunning ‘world of’ boutique at Holts Yorkdale which spans about 6,000 square feet with entrances both from within Holt Renfrew as well as from the mall. Next to it is a 1,900 square-foot Fendi women’s concession as well as a recently opened 3,800 square-foot ‘world of’ Christian Dior concession that houses separate rooms for accessories and bags as well as women’s and men’s departments. Most recently, a ‘world of’ Burberry boutique opened at Holts Yorkdale in a central space across from Chanel and Prada, and next to a new-concept Miu Miu concession.
The 2012 Yorkdale expansion wing also houses retailers such as Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, John Varvatos, Stuart Weitzman, Club Monaco, and others — a Longchamp boutique will re-open at the end of December next to a recently opened Furla boutique on the other side of the main entrance to Holt Renfrew, while the spaces currently occupied by Longchamp and Ted Baker, both next to Balenciaga, will be merged for one soon-to-be-revealed luxury brand flagship store. Ted Baker also just opened its largest Canadian store up the hall from Balenciaga in part of a space vacated by the North Face several months ago.
Balenciaga has quietly expanded its presence in Canada by opening several leased concessions within Holt Renfrew stores.
In December of 2018, Balenciaga opened its first direct-to-consumer boutique in Canada at Holt Renfrew in Vancouver. The ‘world of’ concession, located on the main floor of the flagship Holts, is part of a luxury floor which houses many of the world’s best-known luxury brands. The Balenciaga boutique is situated in the centre of the floor with partitions and signage indicating its presence — a unique green/yellow carpet defines its borders. Included is ready-to-wear for men and women as well as accessories, bags and footwear.
‘WORLD OF’ BALENCIAGA CONCESSION AT HOLT RENFREW IN VANCOUVER. PHOTO: HELEN SIWAK
In the fall of this year, Balenciaga opened its second ‘world of’ concession in Canada at Holt Renfrew’s flagship store at 50 Bloor Street West in Toronto.
The concession spans more than 2,000 square feet, spanning much of the east side of the main floor of the Holt Renfrew store. As with the Vancouver concession, the Toronto boutique carries the full line of Balenciaga fashions and features purple carpeting. Rather than being open concept, however, the Bloor Street Balenciaga is housed in an in-line boutique space between a David Yurman jewellery boutique and a soon-to-open Miu Miu accessory boutique.
In the spring of 2019, Balenciaga unveiled a men’s concession on the fourth floor of Holt Renfrew Ogilvy in Montreal. The expansive men’s floor houses about 25 concessions for some of the world’s biggest luxury brands. Within several months, Balenciaga will open an accessory boutique on the main floor luxury hall of Holt Renfrew Ogilvy and may also open a women’s concession in the spring of 2020, though the company hasn’t yet confirmed those details.
CLICK FOR INTERACTIVE MAP OF YORKDALE SHOPPING CENTRE
Several other high-end retailers in Canada carry Balenciaga. Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship at CF Toronto Eaton Centre features a dedicated Balenciaga shop on its women’s designer floor which is a licensed boutique operated by Saks. The men’s floor at Saks also carries Balenciaga men’s clothing and accessories while an area on the street level features a range of Balenciaga bags and accessories. Footwear for the brand can be found at Saks as well.
Nordstrom is also an important vendor for Balenciaga and in Canada, two of Nordstrom’s stores carry the brand. Nordstrom’s Vancouver flagship, which is among the chain’s top performing stores, features a Nordstrom-operated Balenciaga accessory boutique on the main floor as well as a dedicated women’s Balenciaga boutique space on the women’s floor. Balenciaga footwear can also be found at Nordstrom’s stores in Toronto and Vancouver.
SSENSE in Montreal and a handful of other retailers also carry products from Balenciaga as wholesale accounts.
Sources, including landlords and brand consultants have said that Balenciaga is considering opening more standalone storefronts in Canada. That could include a location in downtown Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville area as well as in Vancouver and possibly Montreal. The world of luxury retail in Canada is about to see a significant shake-up as developers target major brands in new developments which will be discussed in Retail Insider in the coming weeks.
French multi-national conglomerate Kering owns the Balenciaga brand, as well as other big names that are also expanding into Canada. Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga opened his first storefront in San Sebastián, Spain, in 1917, prior to expanding into Madrid and Barcelona. The Spanish Civil War forced Mr. Balenciaga to move his operations to Paris where he opened a couture house on Avenue George V in 1937.
Upscale Toronto-based grocery retailer Summerhill Market opened its third store in Toronto’s trendy, upscale Annex neighbourhood last week, and construction is already underway for a fourth location that will open next year. The retailer is known for carrying products unavailable elsewhere within the Canadian market and for owning the real estate where its stores operate.
Summerhill Market’s newest store is impressive. Located in the Annex area at 1014 Bathurst Street, the 6,000 square-foot store includes the full complement of Summerhill Market’s prepared meals and baked goods, with both a hot bar and cold salad bar. Also on offer is an expansive selection of grocery items and a variety of fresh produce.
This opening marks Summerhill Market’s third location, with an expansion to four stores planned by the spring 2020. Regarding the opening of the Annex store, Co-Owner and President Brad McMullen said, “After scouting a dozen locations for over a decade, we’re thrilled to finally be opening here on the West side. This location is central to so many great neighbourhoods and we think we’ve found the perfect spot with an adjacent parking lot to suitably serve the neighbourhood.”
The open-concept interior of the Annex store was designed by Pencil Designs, and emulates the alternative style of the Annex neighbourhood it resides in. Two twenty-foot long skylights allow natural light to flood the space and a unique artistic-inspiration of the community is conceptualized in custom-designed light fixtures and hand-woven, abstract tapestries on the walls that were crafted by Loom Studio.
The store’s mid-century modern design is seen in the pale white oak shelving and whitewashed ceilings, making for an airy atmosphere and allowing for the product packaging to bring the colour and speak for itself.
The street-level storefront has one main entrance and adjacent customer parking enough for 13 cars at any one time. “Creating convenience for our shoppers is a huge priority,” said McMullen, “we want people to be able to run in, grab a prepared meal of the highest quality, and be on their way again.”
We toured the store last week and got a glimpse of its operations, which include a basement kitchen and storage facility. The basement was excavated over the course of several months and features ceiling heights tall enough to make the space useful. The basement is serviced by an elevator as well as stairways leading to the street-level retail space.
Summerhill Market’s growing popularity is sure to stem from its commitment to providing high-grade and exclusive groceries to its customers. Scouting for the newest food trends is a large aspect of its business model and an area that often sets Summerhill Market apart from competitors. Exclusive-to-Canada brands only found in the US or Europe can be discovered in all Summerhill Market locations. Some first-to-market products include Harmless Harvest, Siggi’s Dairy, Beyond Meat, RXBar, Just Egg, Right Rice, Siete, Oatly, and Vital Proteins.
Synonymous with integrity and honesty, Summerhill Market says that it prides itself in providing clean, wholesome options using superlative ingredients. Every day over 2,000 prepared food items are made from scratch and delivered daily to each store. A culinary team consisting of more than 100 people ensure diversity within Summerhill Market’s daily offerings. Some global cuisines that can be found ready to pop in your oven are Thai and Indian, with many vegan options to ensure inclusivity for those with dietary restrictions.
In addition to finding the right, reasonably-priced real estate within Toronto, a key piece to Summerhill Market’s expansion was opening a production facility. This came to be late last year in a location just outside the city but still close enough to service its stores.
Over the years, Summerhill Market has managed to successfully service a substantial customer base despite its limited preparation space at the North Rosedale flagship store. However, this new 20,000 square-foot commissary with state-of-the-art production equipment, including a bakery, meat room, production-style kitchen, packaging area, blast chiller, storage freezer, and chilled preparation room was completed earlier this year to facilitate Summerhill Market’s growing popularity in Toronto.
Open 365 days a year and renowned for its exclusive products and high-quality prepared foods and baked goods, Summerhill Market has been in operation for 66 years. Its first store is located in Toronto’s wealthy North Rosedale area at 446 Summerhill Avenue. A second Toronto location opened in 2011 at 1054 Mount Pleasant Road. That store, again, is proximate to affluent residential areas including nearby Lawrence Park.
Spring 2020 is set to welcome Summerhill Market’s fourth location in Toronto’s Forest Hill neighbourhood. The store will be located at 484 Eglinton Avenue West and is currently under construction. McMullen said that the store will span nearly 7,500 square feet over two levels connected by an elevator. While its design is still in the planning phase, it will likely include more customer service amentities and a larger grocery offering for shoppers, along with the prepared options traditionally associated with the Market.
Owning the buildings that Summerhill Market operates in is unusual for grocery retailers – most other chains rent store spaces and are vulnerable to rent fluctuations, which pose a challenge, given slim profit margins. Summerhill Market has managed to maintain healthier margins than many competitors, though the price-point on many products is competitive with other major chains. One source informed Retail Insider that Summerhill Market had paid about $4.5-million for its new Annex location, which includes two adjacent semi-detached residential buildings that also provide parking spaces for the new store.
Mr. McMullen explained that Summerhill Market will look to future growth opportunities in the Toronto market, though it will be calculated and would involve purchasing real estate for new stores. Given that Summerhill Market primarily targets an upscale consumer, new stores will likely be located close to affluent neighbourhoods. The city of Toronto is home to various high-income neighbourhoods with pockets such as the Beaches in the East, the Kingsway in Etobicoke, and the York Mills areas of North York also being potential targets for Summerhill Market in years to come.
We’ll follow up this story in the spring when Summerhill Market opens its new two-level Forest Hill location on Eglinton Avenue.
