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Aburi Restaurants Launching WA-BAGEL Retail Concept in Canada with Vancouver Launch [Interview]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Seigo Nakamura and Yukiko Iikura at her Kepo Bagels in Japan

Aburi Restaurants Canada is opening its brand new WA-BAGEL concept in the heart of downtown Vancouver in late-spring bringing a unique Japanese-style bagel to the market with plans for expansion.

The concept will open in 1,887 square feet at 666 Burrard Street.

Huy Tran, National Director, Marketing, Aburi Restaurants Canada, said the location is anticipated to open in June or July.

Seigo Nakamura

He said WA-BAGEL follows in the footsteps of its sister restaurant, WA! CURRY, as a counter service spot to start, offering take-out and delivery options. Guests can also order and dine across the hallway in the building’s spacious communal concourse.

“Japanese-style bagels are my favourite type of bagel because they are more light and smaller in-size, often with a filling, similar to another Japanese snack-favourite, the onigiri,” said Seigo Nakamura, founder and CEO of ABURI Restaurants Canada. “They are becoming more and more popular in Japan, and there is really nothing like it in Canada yet. I thought it would be a great idea to introduce something new to the Canadian market. There are so many different kinds of flavours. Have you ever had a mochi cheese bagel or a lemon peel and azuki bean bagel? They are delicious!”

Image: WA-BAGEL
WA-BAGEL by Aburi

WA-BAGEL’s bagels are made with Canadian flour and a koji-based yeast. When it opens, WA-BAGEL will have 14 flavours of bagels and bagel sandwiches to start, including red bean paste and cream cheese, sweet potato and black sesame, Aburi Market’s fresh cut salmon lox & scallion cream cheese sandwich, and eggplant and bacon with miso and cheese. There will also be a variety of drinks, such as coffee and tea.

Yukiko Iikura, Head Baker, WA-BAGEL, founded her own popular bagel shop in Japan called Kepo Bagels for the past 15 years.

“I love baking and I also love chewy-textured things and WA-BAGEL’s dough features the texture and aroma of mochi,” she said. “In Japan, we use many different types of flavours and fillings for our bagels, and we’ll definitely be using some very Canadian-inspired ingredients in some of our options. I’m very excited as Canada has some of the best flour in the world, and we’ll get to use it in our bagels.

“Instead of mixing the ingredients in the dough, I roll the ingredients into the dough . . . For me, the texture is most important. I’m using Canadian flour. I think Canadian flour is the best for me in the world. I love Vancouver’s water. I’m so excited I can make bagels here in Vancouver.”

Image: WA-BAGEL
Image: WA-BAGEL

Tran said when Iikura creates her bagels, and the reason why it’s very unique, is because she actually puts the ingredients inside the dough and rolls the dough over it.

Huy Tran

“And the reason for that is that it doesn’t compromise the dough itself and it preserves the taste,” he said.

“Vancouver is a very, very rich cultural hub. It’s very diverse. Aburi has been known for being innovators. Thirteen years ago we opened the first Aburi concept in Vancouver and we also introduced Aburi cuisine to North America. So we always want to be that concept of first to market and we realize that Vancouver has a lot of audience especially people who crave diverse tastes and constantly trying to chase new trends.

“So that’s why we wanted to bring this concept to life with Yukiko to introduce to the audience there.”

Tran said the company does foresee more locations in the future.

“We have plans for Toronto and probably beyond Canada,” he said.

The Aburi Restaurants brand includes Miku, Miku Toronto, Minami, Minami Toronto, TORA, Hana, WA! CURRY, WA-BAGEL, grocerant ABURI To-Go, and ABURI Market.

Another Slow Month for Canadian Retail Sales [J.C. Williams Group Analysis]

By
Retail Insider
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Image via Cadillac Fairview

Slow and steady remains the trend for Canada’s 2023 retail sales to date, with All Stores in January growing 4.9% YOY and All stores Less Automotive, Food, Pharmacies up only 2.4% YOY.

An early trend in 2023 is the Food and Beverage Stores industry, up 3.5% YOY (below the rate of food inflation, which rose 10.6% in February, 2023). As a result of these seemingly endless increases in the cost of food in Canada, Specialty Food Stores are bearing a significant brunt, continuing a downward trend in February of -9.1% YOY. Currenty, non-specialty food costs the same as specialty foods did a year ago. Specialty foods seem to be the first cutbacks that Canadians are taking to combat their rising grocery bills.

Even though February 2022 and February 2023 were very similar through a COVID lockdown and health lens, there were still significant shifts in consumer sentiment. A key example of this is people’s work lives. Last week, the JCWG team visited RCC Human Resources Conference in Toronto and returning to office work is still on everyone’s minds. This is being reflected in Clothing Stores, up 14.3% YOY, and Shoe Stores up an even more impressive 24.4% YOY.

An interesting correlation that is further showing itself in 2023 is the decline of Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores, down -1.7% YOY. This has been a topic of discussion at JCWG recently, and our early insights consider:

February’s modest growth in retail sales continues as the trend of inflation, housing, work life, and societal changes being major factors in specific categories’ growth or decline. However, certain players can still succeed in their industries with the right strategy.  As we continue to move through 2023, the alcohol and cannabis categories are on our minds, as we consider:

  • Where will be the next municipality to approve dispensaries after  success in other markets?
  • When will Cannabis Retailers oversaturate current demand and start to shutter?
  • What can make alcohol more appealing within the new guidelines?
  • Why are alcohol retailers not innovating more in their store strategy to combat changing consumer preferences?
  • How are YOU changing your alcohol/cannabis consumption habits in 2023 with new information, guidelines, and accessibility?

For support in your retail strategy, planning, and innovation, reach out to the trusted experience at JCWG!

Canadian Retail Sales by Product Category, Same Month Comparison
Canadian Retail Sales by Store Category, Year to Date Comparison
Retail Trade, Canada, All Stores, by Geographic Regions

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For April 24th, 2023

By
Retail Insider
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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web

News at a Glance

Retail Insider is streamlining its Canadian retail news from around the web to include a handful of top news stories that can be viewed quickly during the day. Here are the top stories from the past several days.

Retail sales fall in Canada with higher interest rates pinching consumers (Financial Post)

Canadian Tire stores in B.C. broke privacy laws on facial ID technology, privacy commissioner says (CBC)

Struggling Bed Bath & Beyond files for bankruptcy protection (CTV)

What browsing in a store offers that online algorithms just can’t (CBC)

Outdoor store MEC commits to cutting carbon emissions from products, supply chain (Pique)

Zellers returns with nostalgic flair to competitive Canadian discount retail market (Capital Current) Sephora launches national take-back program Beauty (Re)purposed (Glossy)

Calgary Co-op sales up 7+% vs. YA (Grocery Business)

‘The math simply doesn’t add up’: Canada’s first package-free grocer closing Vancouver storefront (VIA)

In Seal Cove, this grocery store is staying true to the past while looking to the future (CBC)

Mississauga Council Opts in for Retail Cannabis Stores (City of Mississauga)

Hundreds line up for new Daan Go Cake Lab opening in Richmond (VIA)

Fabricland Lands at Yonge & Bloor in Toronto [Photos]

By
Craig Patterson
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Photo: Craig Patterson

It’s a story of fast fashion becoming much slower fashion — Fabricland has officially opened just off the corner of Bloor and Yonge Streets in Toronto in a retail space formerly occupied by an H&M store. Fabricland will remain in its bright new location for several years until its building and an adjacent building are demolished for a major redevelopment. 

The Fabricland store spans three levels of the former H&M space at 13-15 Bloor Street West, measuring about 15,000 square feet with a full range of items focused on sewing, quilting, knitting and crafting among other activities.  

The street level of the new store houses fabrics focused on ‘fashion’, while the upper level includes items that can be used to make home decor. The basement of the former H&M store houses items that can be used for crafts and notions. 

The store is considered to be one of the flagships for the Fabricland chain, and is testing out some new concepts such as signage that will eventually be rolled out into other Fabricland locations. Fabricland is the largest fashion fabric distributor in Canada with over 130 stores across the country. 

Click image for interactive Google Map
A view towards Fabricland, the adjacent bank building also owned by the Kimel family. The Yonge & Bloor intersection is to the left in the photo, including a new Apple store under white hoarding. Photo: Craig Patterson
Main floor escalators and signage in the new Fabricland on Bloor. Photo: Craig Patterson
Main floor fabrics, including a special range that can be used for gowns and other garments for eveningwear (Fabricland notes that some drag queens may wish to check out this area of the store for ideas and supplies). Photo: Craig Patterson
Main floor elevator entrance and various fabrics on display. Photo: Craig Patterson
Main floor Pride-related display, as well as denim and Toronto sports-themed fabrics. Photo: Craig Patterson

The store aims to attract consumers such as students in nearby post-secondary institutions studying in programs where textiles may be utilized. The retailer noted that even drag queens in the nearby Gay Village may shop the store for a range of fabrics that can be used in designs — a display of rainbow fabrics and Pride-related accessories is also on display. Some ornate fabrics in the store could be used for flowing gowns or other designs. 

Toronto’s diversity means that some patterns and ornaments, appropriate for ethnic garments, are on offer as well. On the opening day, the store was busy with shoppers who began to line up almost an hour before the store opened. 

Fabricland is waiting for a permit from the City of Toronto to install a protective covering over the glass of the upper level of the store in order to protect merchandise from sunlight. The upper level includes a display near the windows for outdoor designs and more will come, including a display with beach umbrellas. A Fabricland representative said that it took several weeks to convert the new store from the former H&M store that occupied the space for nearly 20 years. 

Second-floor outdoor display and foam/mattresses — Fabricland has applied for a permit to add protective UV glazing and branding over the windows. Photo: Craig Patterson
Second-floor bedding-related area for quilting and home decor at Fabricland on Bloor. Photo: Craig Patterson
Third floor home goods, including a range of fabrics for indoor and outdoor use. Photo: Craig Patterson

One of the reasons Fabricland opened on Bloor Street is its corporate ownership — the wealthy Kimel family that owns the retailer also owns the building. A proposal is in place for a massive residential tower on the site as well an adjacent building currently occupied by a bank.

The new Fabricland is steps away from an intersection that by next year will be home to a flagship Lululemon store as well as, tentatively, an Apple flagship store. A new tenant or tenants will eventually be secured for the former Nordstrom Rack space at 1 Bloor Street East, and we recently reported that The Ballroom bowling concept will replace a former McEwan grocery store in the basement of the same 1 Bloor East complex. Across the street from Fabricland is the Holt Renfrew Centre, which is home to Holt Renfrew’s main flagship store as well as a large Aritzia store and a soon-to-be-announced tenant that will occupy the main floor of the centre’s former Zara space. 

Further up the street is the Bloor Street luxury run, which is seeing a remarkable number of new luxury stores being added. Over the next few months, stores opening on Bloor Street between Bay Street and Avenue Road will include the likes of Van Cleef & Arpels, Rolex, Ferragamo, Saint Laurent, Alexander Wang, Bonpoint and others. They will join names such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Hermes, Dior and others that have opened on the street over the years. 

Cutting boards and measuring tools in the basement area of Fabricland on Bloor. Photo: Craig Patterson
Yarn area on the basement level of Fabricland Bloor Street. Photo: Craig Patterson
Escalators into the basement level of the new Fabricland store. Photo: Craig Patterson
Fabricland Jingle via Youtube

Fabricland had a store nearby on Bloor Street East at the former Hudson’s Bay Centre until about 12 years ago — Dollarama now occupies the basement space. Fabricland also had a presence within the former Honest Ed’s store that operated at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst Streets until late 2016. 

The Fabricland chain was founded in 1968 as Fabricland Distributors, and its first store was at Queen and Roncesvalles in Toronto. The retailer carries a large selection of fabrics as well as sewing notions and accessories, patterns, broadcloth, flannelette, suitings, utility and cleaning cloths, arctic fleece, cottons and blends, home goods such as curtains, as well as bridal and party wear and coordinated fashion collections.

Demand Returning to Food & Beverage in Canada as Costs and Staffing Challenges Persist [JLL Report]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Turquoise Goat Board Game Cafe at 122 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC (Image: Turquoise Goat)

JLL’s Food & Beverage 2023 report indicates demand is returning in Canada while restaurants continue to battle rising costs and staffing shortages as customers increasingly to seek out experiences when they go out for food and drink.

January reservations in Canada were 38.1 per cent above 2019 levels.

Tim Sanderson

Tim Sanderson, Executive Vice President & National Lead, Retail, JLL Canada, said what’s happening in Canada is mirroring what’s taking place in the U.S. which has always had a propensity to eat out more than people do in Canada.

“I think that people are after how many years of being shut in they just want to get out and experiential food and beverage is something that’s attracting people. I don’t think we have enough of it in this country quite frankly where you can go and have a meal and play some games, whatever. But I think it’s coming,” said Sanderson.

Experience remains one of the top trends in food and beverage. Consumers’ demand for fun and novel experiences continues apace. Consequently, new “eatertainment” concepts are opening as well as “clubstaurants”, which offer members exclusive experiences at a premium price, said JLL.

Image: The Ballroom

“It’s a similar trend to introducing food to a shopping centre. When people go to a shopping centre and there’s a place to eat and it’s decent and it’s not just an old tired food court, statistics prove that they spend more time on the property and when they spend more time on the property the conversion rate of buying something other than just food is higher,” said Sanderson.

“Clearly that’s the same thing for a bowling experience. Or something like the Rec Room. Let’s go. Let’s have something to eat. Let’s have a beer or two. And let’s go play some basketball hoops or let’s go play some games. It’s a third dimension to food, alcohol and gaming.”

The Rec Room at Square One (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

But restaurants are still facing some challenges these days with many of their costs elevated and finding people to work is not easy. JLL said more than nine out of 10 restaurant operators report that rising costs are a significant challenge to their business. They are battling these costs primarily by raising menu prices, which pass these costs on to the consumer.  And staffing shortages are limiting the quality of service restaurants can offer their diners. Operators are offering higher wages, cutting back on opening hours, or utilizing technology to remain efficient.

“We see it when American restaurateurs come to Canada and start looking at wage rates. Our wage rates for labour in Canada for the restaurant business are much, much higher than they are in the United States,” said Sanderson.

“Food as a category is a very thin-margined business. I don’t know where all the people that worked in food service went when the pandemic hit but they all left the industry it seems . . . My personal experience is service levels are troublesome. They’re either under-staffed or the staff aren’t well trained within.

“I think as an industry they do have to work a little harder at training their staff. It’s a problem.”

NBA Courtside Restaurant in Toronto (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

Canadian operators are focusing on food and fun. Here are a few examples of that in the JLL report:

  • In the Greater Toronto Area, Cineplex is opening its new Junxion concept, which is being hailed as the movie theatre of the future. In addition to showcasing movies, games, and live events, Cineplex Junxion Erin Mills will feature a food hall with a variety of food and beverage options, as well as an indoor food truck and bar with a selection of wines and beers.
                                                                  
  • Sports and entertainment food operators have positioned themselves in high-traffic areas to capitalize on the growing demand for in-person experiences.
                                                                  
  • In Toronto, the city’s first NBA-themed restaurant, NBA Courtside Restaurant, is opening just steps from Scotiabank Arena. Similarly, Vancouver is opening near the Broadway Corridor a basketball-themed bar ─ Courtside Bar ─ that will serve beer and stadium food.
                                                                  
  • Vancouver’s Turquoise Goat is the city’s newest board game café, joining a market with numerous board game bars and pizzerias. The café offers an inexpensive and tech-free way to socialize while enjoying simple food and drinks. It has already become a popular destination for patrons.                                              

Calgary-Based Japanese Knife Retailer ‘Knifewear’ Plans Multi-Store Expansion Including Ontario and BC [Interview]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Image: Knifewear

A fascination and passion for Japanese kitchen knives led Kevin Kent into opening a retail location a few years ago, focused on selling the items in the Canadian market.

Kevin Kent

Today Knifewear has five locations with two in Calgary, and one each in Vancouver, Ottawa and Edmonton. A new Toronto store has been announced to open at 517 Bloor Street West in the city’s Annex area, set to open in June.

Kent, Founder and CEO, said Toronto and Vancouver are huge.

“I’m not going to put the idea that we only need one store in those cities. I see two or three stores in Toronto and Vancouver. They’re huge cities. I can see them supporting two or three stores,” he said. “Montreal would be great but Quebec has its challenges. Then after that I’d really like a shop and a warehouse in Japan. Kyoto would be fantastic.”

Knifewear Toronto (Rendering: Knifewear)
Image: Knifewear

He said people assume Knifewear sells only to chefs but the brand sells to all consumers.

“I’m an old chef and I bought a Japanese knife when I was living in England in 1999 and I had that moment . . . I said hold on what’s going on here. Why is this way, way, way better than anything I ever had before?,” said Kent.

At the time, he was working as sous-chef for the legendary chef Fergus Henderson at St. John restaurant in London, England. Back in Canada in 2007 he began selling them out of a backpack from the back of his bicycle, while working as a chef in Calgary.

Image: Knifewear
Image: Knifewear

In January 2008, he opened his first store in the inner city Inglewood neighbourhood of Calgary.

“We haven’t opened a new shop in about six years. We were going to open in Toronto in 2020 in May or June and we were in the middle of dealing with a lease at that time in the middle of March when COVID hit. So we hit the brakes as you can imagine. I’ve been trying to get to Toronto for a long time,” said Kent.

“But finally, finally, finally. I’m pretty excited about it.”

He considers his chef years as the best education for being an entrepreneur.

Being a chef takes long hours, involves hard work, both mentally and physically, and chefs must be able to put out fires, both literal and figurative, with extreme competence. Today, Kent is still just as obsessed with Japanese knives as the day he first held one. A couple times a year, he travels to Japan to meet with his blacksmith friends and drinks far too much sake, according to his biography on the company website.

“Each visit he learns more about the ancient art of knife-making. Through this obsession Knifewear has expanded to include five Knifewear stores in Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Edmonton. Plans are also underway to open a store in Kyoto, Japan. He refuses to confess how many Japanese knives he owns … but he admits the number is rather high.”

Birks Shuts Downtown Winnipeg Store and Exits Market After 120 Years: Interview with CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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191 Lombard Avenue in Winnipeg. Image: Google Street View

Birks Group has closed its downtown Winnipeg Maison Birks store after decades of being in business in the Manitoba city.

The location on Lombard Avenue shut down at the end of March as the Canadian jewellery retailer continues to focus on building the brand in the major markets of Canada.

In an interview with Retail Insider, Jean-Christophe Bédos, President and CEO, Birks Group, said: “The store came to the end of its lease. We want to focus our efforts and development in the larger urban centres in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.

“Thanks to a great partner we have in Winnipeg, they’re called Independent Jewellers, they distribute the Birks brand in their stores and then of course we keep serving our clients by the internet, by e-commerce. So we felt we didn’t need to renew the lease, renovate the store for another seven to 10 years. So it coincided with our strategy to concentrate on the large urban centres.”

Photo: Manitoba Historical Society

Bédos said Birks has had a partnership with Independent Jewellers for about four years.

Birks opened the store on Main Street in Winnipeg in 1903. It was the second store that Birks ever opened outside of Montreal, (following the opening of the Ottawa store in 1901). In 1911, Birks moved the Winnipeg store to the corner of Portage and Smith, formerly the YMCA building, and later moved again to 191 Lombard Ave.

“We will open or close stores depending on how things go. We are not just closing stores. We’re considering opening stores and also when it makes sense and again working on executing the strategy of ours,” said  Bédos. “So if we close stores it will be only because the market is changing and stores are becoming less relevant. Of course, if a store becomes less profitable then of course we would close less profitable stores but that’s not the case with our stores. At least currently.”

Recently, Birks relocated its Maison Birks store to a bigger location in CF Chinook Centre in Calgary and the retailer has undertaken significant renovations at its CF Carrefour Laval store near Montreal which will be unveiled later this spring.

Birks is a leading Canadian retailer and designer of fine jewellery, timepieces and gifts since 1879. The company operates 22 Maison Birks stores across Canada, including flagship locations in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

The 4,174-square-foot Maison Birks store at CF Chinook Centre , features a 1,117-square-foot Rolex Showroom with a VIP area.

In a previous interview with Retail Insider,  Bédos said Birks has additional stores it wants to renovate as well as some markets it wants to enter.

“There is a significant shift in the consumer behaviour for luxury goods. We are closing markets and we are opening new markets. We definitely see that the market is growing and it’s an evolution that we have our thumb on that post to really be present where the consumer spending is growing,” explained Bédos.

“For Canada what’s happening our observation is that the Canadian market’s becoming more and more urban in the spending. Four or five major hubs, clusters of luxury. The cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are clearly growing for the market. We see significant investments in retail from international brands.

“We see also Alberta with Calgary and Edmonton becoming strong and those areas see a significant arrival of new Canadians and new residents who come from countries where the luxury brands are present and they expect those brands to be present in the markets where they decide to become residents in Canada.”

Bédos said in the past what had been missing in Canada was the international calibre of the retail experience especially in downtown areas and top quality shopping centres.

With the macroeconomic tension at the moment with inflation and higher interest rates, business is not easy.

“But when you provide an experience which is worth it, worth going out of home, worth transacting somewhere else than just on the mobile phone or your desktop, this is what (retail expert) Doug Stephens called what the store has to offer more than just the website,” said Bédos.

“The people go out and enjoy it. You see the transformation of downtown Toronto with Yorkville and Bloor. Yorkdale is a great example. We see also the great example in Vancouver and Vancouver is going to soon have a new Oakridge store which is going to be a significant value proposition for consumers. People will go there. When there is something interesting, they go and shop.”

Large-Format Fitness Concept ‘Altea Active’ Opening Biggest Location to Date in Ottawa with National Expansion Plans [Interview]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Image: McRobie Architects + Interior Designers Inc.

Altea Active is continuing to change the face of the Canadian health and fitness industry, growing its unique wellness and social club concept to new locations.

Its latest location will open this fall in Vancouver and on Thursday it announced it will also open in Ottawa in late 2024.

Altea Active currently operates a state-of-the-art, 80,000-square-foot facility in Winnipeg, which opened November 2019, and an 89,000-square-foot wellness and social club in Toronto’s Liberty Village neighbourhood which opened March 2022.

The Vancouver location will be 43,000 square feet while Ottawa will be 129,000 square feet in an old Canadian Tire building at 1660 Carling Avenue. Ottawa will be its largest location and will include an indoor pickleball club.

And David Wu, Co-Founder President and CEO of the company, told Retail Insider Altea is looking to expand by about two projects each year.

Click image for interactive Google Map

Wu said the company has also acquired 4.8 acres of land from First Capital in Milton, Ontario. It is currently working on the development of that project which would be a new build of about 76,000 square feet. It is also looking at a site in Calgary.

“We design these projects carefully with the real estate selection going through a very robust and rigorous data review and we designed these projects really focused on the audience in the community,” he said. “Winnipeg is our suburban business model and we tailor a lot of the amenities to cater to that family audience . . . For our Toronto project a lot of Millennials crave and enjoy our social amenities.

“At the foundation of all these different clubs is really the value proposition of what we provide whether it’s Winnipeg or Liberty Village, Toronto, Vancouver. The value proposition is really built around our group fitness program, highly curated, beautiful space, amazing instructors and providing that value proposition against the individual smaller boutiques or smaller clubs that don’t have that comparable value in terms of what people pay for versus an Altea membership.

“In Vancouver, in Winnipeg, in Toronto, we’re offering from 150 to over 185 classes a week as part of that membership price . . . Any of the studios that we designed into these clubs what we look at is how do we stack up these studio designs and the programming and the quality of that consumer experience against some of the best concepts in the UK or Spain and in New York. That’s how we look at our competition. We look at what are the best global brands out there and how do we compete against those types of products. That’s really setting the bar for ourselves to deliver that type of wellness experience.”

Altea Active: West 6, located in Southeast False Creek at 425 West 6th Avenue, will offer state-of-the-art strength and cardio, personal and small-group training, and luxury hospitality. It is currently under construction. The company describes the concept as where “five-star hospitality meets first-class fitness.”

Altea Active: West 6 will feature six boutique fitness studios within 43,000 square feet over three floors of Cressey Development Group’s newly constructed, LEED Gold Certified building, strategically located where the neighbourhoods of Fairview, Mount Pleasant, and Olympic Village converge. 

Photo: Altea Active
Catalyst Cafe + Wine Bar – Photo, Altea Active

Over 150 classes will be offered per week in their respective large- and small-group studios, such as: Boxing, HIIT, Hot Yoga, AntiGravity Fitness, Pilates, Barre, and Cycle. A Functional Turf Zone will also be available for sport and performance training.

Members will also benefit from luxe change rooms equipped with dry saunas and steam cabins, Aveda hair and body products, and haircare by Dyson; Recovery Lounge services include massage therapy, compression and vibration therapies, and cold plunge immersion; and a Meditation Lounge with its own Himalayan salt wall.

More than a workout space, Altea Active: West 6 will offer comfortable and bright relaxation spaces and informal meeting places in addition to the Catalyst Café + Wine Bar, where members and their guests can kick back and relax.

Altea Active Ottawa will offer over 129,000 square feet of boutique studio fitness, state-of-the-art strength and cardio, personal and small-group training, and luxury hospitality.

Altea’s new Ottawa flagship club will offer 200+ classes per week across nine multi-purpose group-fitness studios: a Hot Yoga Studio; a theatre style Cycle Studio; a Boxing Studio; an AntiGravity Fitness Studio; a Fusion Studio; a Small Group Training Studio; a Private Reformer Pilates Studio; a dedicated Women’s Only Studio, and the Signature Studio featuring HIIT, core, dance, boot camps and other strength and cardio sessions. The club will also feature an eight-court indoor Pickleball club; a five-lane 25-metre lap pool aquatic centre; a Women’s Only club with top-of-the-line Technogym cardio and strength training machines, as well as a Private Women’s Only fitness studio.  

Altea Active Toronto (Image: Altea Active)
Photo: Altea Active

Members will benefit from luxe change rooms equipped with dry saunas and steam cabins, Aveda hair and body products, and haircare by Dyson. Recovery Lounge services will include massage therapy, compression and vibration therapies, and cold plunge immersion, and a Meditation Lounge with its own Himalayan salt wall.

Altea Active in Ottawa will also feature co-working and social amenities, including: Topgolf Swing Suites sports simulators, and a 6,200-square-foot outdoor Sky Deck that will be used for member socials and private functions. The club will also feature comfortable and bright relaxation spaces and informal meeting places including a smoothie bar, Starbucks, and the Catalyst Kitchen & Cocktails, where members and their guests can kick back and relax. 

Altea Active Ottawa will also offer an Active Kid’s Club featuring a Mini Gym, arts and crafts, and quiet zones to support members with children ages 0 to 11 years. 

“Altea Active is not a gym,” said Michael Nolan, Co-founder, and COO of Altea Active. “It’s a social wellness experience that offers premium studio fitness programs, equipment, and services to like-minded, wellness-conscious people sharing the same journey. Our mission since day one has been to elevate and encourage the social connections that organically develop in our clubs.”

Nolan and David Wu previously owned 16 Movati Athletic locations for close to 20 years before selling the business in 2017.

“After we left Movati, we said to ourselves how do we take this Movati business model and how do we improve it even better for that consumer experience,” said Wu. “Really, what we looked at for this upcoming Altea brand is we wanted to curate a better consumer experience by providing them with more social components and social wellness components.”

What’s Happening in Bloor-Yorkville, Exit of Nordstrom from Canada and the Future of Luxury Retail: Interview with Ashkan Yousofpour

By
Retail Insider
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Bloor Street in Toronto (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

Craig and Ashkan, founder of upscale accessory brand St. Ash, discuss some of the challenges seen in Toronto’s downtown luxury zone, the threat of Yorkdale, Nordstrom’s exit from Canada and what’s happening with Saks Fifth Avenue, and what’s being seen with luxury retail in Paris and Milan.

The Interview Series video podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available through our Retail Insider YouTube Channel where you can subscribe and be notified when new video episodes are available.

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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For April 20th, 2023

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Retail Insider
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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web

News at a Glance

Retail Insider is streamlining its Canadian retail news from around the web to include a handful of top news stories that can be viewed quickly during the day. Here are the top stories from the past 24 hours.

Profit at grocery chain Metro increases 10%, mostly on higher pharmacy sales (CBC)

Metro chief says more price increases to come, shift to discount continues (Canadian Grocer)

Metro to launch Moi loyalty program at grocery, drugstores chains in Quebec (Canadian Press)

Canadian retailer Diane’s Lingerie named 2023 Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year by Retail Council of Canada (Newswire)

Mississauga is finally getting legal pot shops, nearly 5 years after legalization (CBC)

B.C. drinkers are buying less wine but paying more (BIV)

Buzzer sounds on Sports Experts in St. John’s as Avalon Mall location set to close (Saltwire)

Kal Tire Buys 12 new Locations in Atlantic Canada (Huddle)

Salisbury’s Red Barn Gift Shop Opens for the Summer in Moncton (Huddle)

Edmunston, N.B., Walmart named retailer’s store of the year (Hardlines)

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