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Photo Tour: Toronto Bloor Street ‘Mink Mile’ Set for Big Changes in 2021

By
Craig Patterson
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Bloor Street W - Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Retail Insider recently toured Toronto’s famed ‘Mink Mile’, consisting of the stretch of Bloor Street West between Avenue Road and Yonge Street. For decades the street has been considered to be Canada’s leading luxury retail stretch, with some comparing it to Fifth Avenue in New York City.

Club Monaco 157 Bloor Front Entrance with the Royal Ontario Museum. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

The tour starts at the southeast corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road where a Club Monaco flagship store is currently located. The retail space is for lease with Club Monaco expected to vacate in a few months time.

Vacated Starbucks in Yorkville. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Starbucks recently shut its store at the Renaissance Plaza at 150 Bloor Street West. It was located directly behind the Louis Vuitton flagship ‘Maison’ facing Bloor Street. Starbucks has said that it will shut/relocate about 300 locations in Canada over the next few months.

Prairie Girl Yorkville. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Prairie Girl Bakery, located in the same complex as Starbucks, has also shut its location that faces the back of the Church of the Redeemer. Prairie Girl once operated five locations and now operates just one on Victoria Street.

Bloor from Avenue Road. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

The above photo was taken from the corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road looking Eastward along the Mink Mile. The Louis Vuitton flagship store spans nearly 18,000 square feet over two levels, making it the largest in Canada by far.

Tiffany & Co . Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Tiffany & Co. relocated its Bloor Street store to 150 Bloor Street West in 2012 and operates there to this day. “Non-essential” stores in Toronto are shut until at least December 21 due to the pandemic, and many retailers are offering curbside pickup. Next to Tiffany & Co. is a three level Burberry flagship store.

We reported this week that Intermix will shut its store at 130 Bloor Street West in January, with a replacement tenant already confirmed. Los Angeles-based St. John Knits operates a store next door, which opened last year.

Urban Campfire on Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs
Max Mara 151 Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Italian luxury women’s fashion brand Max Mara operates a store at 151 Bloor Street West, as does footwear brand Stuart Weitzman. Not in the photo: Montblanc and Peloton in the same building.

Bogner Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

We reported last month that German ski apparel brand Bogner had opened its first corporate store in Canada at The Colonnade at 131 Bloor Street West. Bogner will remain open until March and its lease could be extended to become a permanent storefront if it performs well.

Above: The Colonnade at 131 Bloor Street West. The architecturally-significant complex was the first mixed-use building in Canada. When it opened in 1963, it contained a two-level shopping centre with about 50 stores, an office component, and a rental apartment building above.

Now, The Colonnade’s retail component is more of a ‘strip mall’ with large retailers facing onto Bloor Street, including a large Dior flagship which opened last year, Coach, Prada, Cartier, Escada, and Moncler which is next to Bogner.

Prada Bloor 131 Bloor Unit 105. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Prada operates a 13,700-square-foot, two-level store at The Colonnade. The store expanded with a 7,775-square-foot, second level addition in early 2016.

Dior 131 Bloor – Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Christian Dior operates a 13,400-square-foot flagship store which opened at The Colonnade last year. The space was once occupied by Chanel which relocated to 98 Yorkville Avenue in the fall of 2017. The Dior flagship is currently the largest in North America, and an even larger flagship will be unveiled at the corner of E. 57th Street and Madison Avenue in New York City next year.

110 Bloor St. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

The 110 Bloor Street West retail podium will see an overhaul that will include a new exterior as well as a new set of retail tenants. Winners/HomeSense will remain open and the Brooks Brothers store has yet to formally announce a departure. All of the other Bloor Street facing spaces were recently vacated and a beauty retailer appears to have opened a pop-up in the former Guerlain space prior to government mandated shutdowns last month.

BROOKS BROTHERS. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

The Brooks Brothers store at 110 Bloor Street West remains open for now. Other ground level retailers have shut and the commercial podium will see a redevelopment next year.

Kit and Ace and L’Occitane stores at 102 Bloor Street West. Both stores are located at the base of a condominium building which was once an office tower.

Former Pottery Barn 100 Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

A shot of the 100 Bloor Street West commercial podium. The facade includes a replica of a theatre that once occupied the site. Current retail tenants include Holt Renfrew Men which opened in 2014, Hermes which opened in 2017, and Zegna which opened in 2018.

Zegna on Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Luxury Italian men’s brand Ermenegildo Zegna opened at 100 Bloor Street West in December of 2018. The store is in partnership with nearby menswear retailer Harry Rosen.

Hermes 100 Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

French luxury brand Hermes opened its 6,000-square-foot flagship at 100 Bloor Street West in the fall of 2017. The two-level store is stunning and houses an additional 6,000 square feet for back-of-house.

Cole Haan 101 Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

US-based footwear brand Cole Haan for years has operated a store at 101 Bloor Street West, at the corner of St. Thomas Street. For years there have been questions if Cole Haan would remain at this location. At one time sources had said that a location would also open at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Victorinox Closed. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

The Victorinox flagship store at 95A Bloor Street West, at the corner of St. Thomas Street, recently shuttered.

Harry Rosen 82 Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

The Harry Rosen flagship store at 82 Bloor Bloor Street West spans five levels and about 50,000 square feet, occupying the corner of Bloor and Bellair Streets.

The building at 83 Bloor Street West formerly housed Hugo Boss’ Canadian flagship store prior to relocating to the Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The building for several months has housed a pop-up clearance store for retailer V Hazelton. H&M-owned COS occupies a large three-level store at 83 Bloor Street West.

Vacant Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

The former MAC Cosmetics storefront at 91 Bloor Street West is currently for lease. Luxury brand MCM’s only Canadian storefront is located next door at 93.

Sephora 77 Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Beauty retailer Sephora operates a large store at 77 Bloor Street West. The beauty industry has had to modify its service offerings due to the pandemic.

80 Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

The 80 Bloor Street West office tower houses a Roots store at its base. Until recently, Banana Republic also had a store which shut in the fall. Both 80 and 82 Bloor Street West will eventually be demolished for a mixed-use development that will include three levels of retail space below a massive condominium tower.

The corner of Bay and Bloor Streets is seeing some changes. Next month the Gap flagship store at 60 Bloor Street West will close. At the Manulife Centre, Birks completed an impressive overhaul of its stores last year with Eataly opening upstairs in the fall of 2019. Recently Hakim Optical opened at 66 Bloor Street West in a space formerly occupied by David’s Footwear.

The above photos are of the commercial podium of the Manulife Centre at 55 Bloor Street West.

Holt Renfrew 50 Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Luxury retailer Holt Renfrew recently completed the facade of its flagship store at 50 Bloor Street West. Retail Insider will profile this in a separate article also showcasing renovations to the store’s main floor.

Former HSBC. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

A retail space is for lease at 19 Bloor Street West. Scotiabank formerly occupied the entire building and it has since downsized to occupy the eastern portion of the building. CBRE is listing the vacant space which can be demised. Footwear retailer Town Shoes once operated at the corner and according to records, it opened in 1979.

Aritzia Bloor. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Aritzia expanded to become a massive flagship store at the Holt Renfrew Centre in February of 2019.

Nordstrom Rack Bloor Yonge. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Nordstrom Rack opened its two-level 38,000-square-foot store at 1 Bloor Street East, at the corner of Yonge Street, in May of 2018.

The One Bloor Yonge. Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Under construction at 1 Bloor Street West is ‘The ONE’ tower which will rise more than 1000 feet above the Yonge and Bloor intersection when completed in a couple of years. A boutique hotel will open below the condominium portion of the tower, and sources say that Apple will open a large flagship store at the corner as well.

The Indigo store at the Manulife Centre, facing Bay Street, recently saw a complete renovation inside and out as part of the overhaul of Manulife Centre’s commercial podium.

Thank you for coming with us on this tour of Toronto’s Mink Mile. Feel free to comment below.

Digital Main Street Partners with Facebook Canada to Support Small Businesses

By
Jessica Finch
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Photo: Digital Main Street
Photo: Digital Main Street

As the holidays quickly approach, Digital Main Street and Facebook Canada have teamed up to share a roundup of Canadian small businesses in their ‘Love Your Local Flyer’.

In a bid to make last minute shopping easier, while also hoping to inspire Canadians to shop local this holiday season, the dynamic DMS/Facebook partnership has resulted in a Holiday Gift Guide featuring more than 250 Canadian small businesses.

Showcasing more than 600 unique, local products from hundreds of Canadian small businesses — all of which ship to the Greater Toronto Area — the ‘Love Your Local Flyer’ links the customer directly to each retailers’ online store, allowing each small business to showcase its individuality this holiday season.

The digital flyer provides a personalized shopping experience, sharing a curated selection of relevant and local products for each individual person that engages with the platform.

Some participating retailers include:

  • Cup of Té: Cup of Té is a premier online retailer of loose leaf organic teas and teaware. Based in Toronto, they are dedicated to enriching lives through the experience of premium teas specially made from organic ingredients with each taste offering unique benefits to tea lovers all over the world and every drop telling a story.
  • Bohten: Inspired by the beauty of the landscapes found in Ghana, Nana Boateng Osei, began a project to combine a love of nature, style and Africa into an eyewear company, called Bohten Eyewear.
  • Sisters Sage: Lynn-Marie & Melissa-Rae Angus are the sister co-founders of Sisters Sage, an Indigenous brand that hand-crafts wellness and self-care products inspired by their culture and traditions. They were born and raised in East Vancouver, Canada. Their heritage is Gitxaala, Nisga’a, and Metis Nations. They use traditional indigenous ingredients to create modern self-care and wellness products.

COVID-19 has had devastating impacts on main street businesses this year, and the ‘Love Your Local Flyer’ initiative is just another in a long string of programs designed and successfully executed by Digital Main Street to ensure as many small businesses stay afloat during this time as possible.

Each participating small business received free support through the Digital Main Street Programs, made possible by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Province of Ontario, and key corporate sponsors.

Check out the Holiday Flyer between December 9 – December 21, 2020 for a curated list of local gifts.

Point Zero Defying the Elements with Aggressive Canadian Growth Plans

By
Sean Tarry
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Exterior of a Point Zero store. Photo: Point Zero
Exterior of a Point Zero store. Photo: Point Zero

During a time that will likely long be remembered as one of the more difficult periods in recent human history, stirring up confidence and optimism within the retail industry in Canada can seem inordinately challenging. The COVID-19 global pandemic and its impacts on business have been cold and unforgiving for many, resulting in a rash of bankruptcies and store closures. For others, whose operations have persisted through the crisis, the negative repercussions have been significantly felt, and they continue ongoing. Considering everything that the industry’s endured over the past nine months or so, the situation can be summed up as bleak, in the least. Despite the current retail climate, however, Montreal-based outerwear retailer, Point Zero, is braving the elements and forging ahead with an incredible plan to grow its network of stores across the country.

Expanding for the Future

The retailer, which just celebrated 40 years of business, recently opened 7 new stores in Ontario and Quebec and is now embarking on an aggressive strategy that will see them open up a further 50 stores in locations right across the country by the end of 2021. The impressive expansion will bring the retailers store count to over 70 and provide the already highly recognizable Point Zero brand with an established national physical presence in Canada. And, although the move may seem contrary to current conventional retail wisdom, Maurice Benisti, the company’s Founder and CEO, explains that it’s a necessary move for the company to secure its future success, despite the negative impacts that the industry has been collectively struggling through.

Maurice Benisti
Maurice Benisti

“You have to continue growing, or you die,” he says assuredly. “We understand how challenging it’s been for many within the industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Everybody has suffered. And we’re sure that we’ll continue to be presented with challenges. But, we’re also just as sure that these effects won’t last forever. We’re all going to get through this difficult time. And when we do, the Point Zero brand will be well-positioned to service our amazing customers with exceptional store experiences wherever they are in Canada.”

Benisti launched the Point Zero brand in 1979 with a focus on creating functional and stylish weather-wear for men. Driven by his passion for the fashion industry, he quickly grew the company, developing a reputation of respect, even adoration, among Point Zero’s customer-base for the quality of product that the company produces. By the mid-eighties, Point Zero had reached near iconic status, solidifying it as one of Canada’s leading fashion lifestyle brands. And, with the help of Benisti’s wife, Nicole, the company continued to succeed during the years and decades that followed, expanding its focus and offering to include women’s and childrenswear.

Designs on Growth

Today, in addition to the Point Zero brand, the husband and wife fashion duo also produce its luxury Nicole Benisti line of women’s clothing. The pieces, designed in Montreal, are described by the company as attire that combines luxury with streetwear “for the modern-day woman, exuding effortless elegance, sophistication, and glamour”. Pieces from the Nicole Benisti collection are often worn by celebrities, including Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, and others, and can be found in high-end department stores and boutiques alongside Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada. The brand has a remarkably strong international presence, recently opening a store in Shanghai, China, and is a portion of the business that Benisti is extremely proud of, calling it the company’s “super-luxury” offering. Its introduction and explosion in popularity the world over has bolstered the all-Canadian, Montreal-based operation and, as Benisti points out, has helped fuel its growth, positioning it well for its planned expansion of Point Zero stores.

“The Nicole Benisti product is very impressive,” he says. “And the success that we’ve enjoyed as a result has elevated the company to the same level as many well-known European brands. We’re really excited about the opportunities that it provides for the company and has allowed us to stretch our thinking with respect to the possibilities and potential of the brand. And, the growth that we’ve experienced as a result also allows us to take a more holistic approach toward the overall growth of the company, which is obviously reflected in our plans to open more Point Zero stores.”

Exterior of a Point Zero store in Montreal. Photo: Point Zero
Exterior of a Point Zero store in Montreal. Photo: Point Zero

Opportunities During Difficult Times

Currently located in Ontario and Quebec, with a handful of stores in Mexico and the Middle East as well, Point Zero’s expansion represents massive growth for the brand and the company, and provides an inspiring example of Canadian-made innovation and excellence during a difficult time when growth doesn’t seem like a realistic objective for most. It’s also reflective of the company’s positive attitude toward business and uncanny ability to continue realizing opportunities within the Canadian market. The most recent opportunity, explains Benisti, is in the more agreeable lease rates that have resulted from the unfortunate circumstances of COVID-19.

“The market seems to be in our favour at the moment,” he says. “The landlords are more realistic today with respect to the leases they’re charging in relation to the traffic that’s being generated. It’s providing us with access to a number of locations in many communities right across the country at rates that are reasonable enough to allow us to move forward with our current growth. There’s plenty of space available out there at the moment. And because we’re in the position to capitalize on this availability, we’re going to be able to realize an opportunity to engage more of our Canadian customers with the great Point Zero retail experience.”

Innovating to Evolve

Benisti explains further that Point Zero’s expansion plans include a number of locations within ‘A’ malls across the country, with partnership negotiations currently taking place with all of the major landlords in Canada. It’s all part of Point Zero’s dedication to innovate in order to continue evolving with its customer and provide them with the very best outerwear fashion possible – something its been doing for more than 40 years now. And, with the introduction of the brand’s ‘No Alternative Planet’ product, the innovation continues unabashed.

Exterior of a Point Zero store. Photo: Point Zero
Exterior of a Point Zero store. Photo: Point Zero

A line of stylish winter coats, the ‘No Alternative Planet’ product leverages recycled plastic water bottles for use as polyfill. It’s an innovation that aligns with Point Zero’s commitment to become carbon-neutral by 2025. And, as Benisti proudly points out, it allows the company to make a meaningful contribution toward the sustainability of the planet, reflecting the values that it shares with its loyal fanbase.

“Our customers care about the environment and the future of the planet,” he says. “And it’s also something that is very much a part of the Point Zero culture as well. We want to be able to give back to the planet, to make sure that we’re doing things as sustainably as we can to minimize the impact that we have on it and preserve it for future generations. Our ‘No Alternative Planet’ product is an excellent example of our commitment. The coats are produced to the same superior quality as the rest of our Point Zero coats, offering the same durability and protection against temperatures as drastic as -40 degrees Celsius. We’re very pleased about the outcome of this innovation and are excited about the introduction of ‘No Alternative Planet’ to our growing line of outerwear.”

Sustainable Thinking

The line, and Point Zero’s commitment to the environment, is a remarkable statement made by a company celebrating 40 years of business. It reflects its adaptability and willingness to think creatively to find solutions to the problems we all share. And, it also proves to show that the customer is always at the centre of the Montreal-based company’s focus. Offering a product that promotes environmental sustainability, Benisti explains, fits nicely into Point Zero’s overall mandate of sustainability, providing an unmatched quality of product and timeless designs, ensuring that longevity is comprehensively built into every item it produces. It’s a dedication to and focus on the customer that Benisti talks about with a sincere fervour, and is one that he says will continue to drive the company well into the future.

“The Point Zero customer means everything to us. And we intend to keep pushing, innovating with technology to make sure that we’re constantly and consistently meeting their evolving needs. We’re going to continue expanding our presence throughout the country and the world, improving our ecommerce offering and performance and digital capabilities, and providing an even better, more enjoyable in-store Point Zero experience. If we remain focussed and maintain our creative mentality with respect to everything that we do within our business, our potential, and the opportunities to grow the Point Zero brand, will only continue to increase.”

Dragons’ Den Entrepreneur Vince Guzzo Launches Gourmet Food Delivery Service

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Image from Love Food to Go Facebook page
Image from Love Food to Go Facebook page

Vince Guzzo is an entrepreneur at heart.

The Dragons’ Den television judge has a diverse portfolio that includes multi-theatre cinemas, restaurants, a construction company, and his personal fashion brand, Mr. Sunshine.

Now he is venturing out into a new initiative launching an innovative e-commerce platform in Montreal called Lovefoodtogo.com which brings gourmet snacks and complete meals, including from his restaurant Giulietta Pizzeria, right to the doorsteps of consumers.

Love Food to Go Focuses on Delivering Gourmet Snacks Directly to Your Door

Currently, the platform represents about 40 food manufacturers with the potential to grow in the future.

“Now, more than ever, we are eating in, but sometimes, we want comforting and delicious meals without having to do the dishes. Lovefoodtogo.com offers direct to your doorstep delivery of gourmet, high-end meals that customers can now enjoy in the comfort of their home — including Giulietta’s Italian pizzas,” said Guzzo.

“We thought it is great to get our food into a retail space like a Costco or a Loblaw but one of the big problems is that grocery stores don’t carry the same things in big cities versus small cities. Costco isn’t everywhere. So why wouldn’t we offer the frozen food part of the retail space that’s right now being sold to the Costcos and Loblaws of the world. Why wouldn’t we put it online and allow people to buy some of those products. That’s how the idea started.”

But Guzzo said the idea was taken a step further.

“Now it’s going to actually be a platform where I can test the retail viability of some of the products that we want to launch.”

Consuming locally is more important than ever during the pandemic as more and more consumers look to support their local products.

Love Food to Go’s core value is that it wants to promote local manufacturers in Quebec and Canada by making their high quality and unique products available at the consumer’s doorstep.

By Choosing Love Food to Go You’re Supporting Local Employment & Canadian Family businesses

By choosing Love Food to Go, people support local employment and help Canadian family businesses.

“We’re now going to release a whole bunch of retail products that will be either under the Giuletta brand, either under the partnership brands that we have but also under the Mr. Sunshine while supplying my movie theatres and retail and grocery stores and so forth,” said Guzzo.

“The first orders we got for pizza was in New Brunswick. Then we had some out West in Calgary. It’s another way for us getting direct access to less than obvious areas that don’t necessarily have the big city availability of those products while also making it very convenient.

“Ultimately it’s a product that’s across Canada. It’s a frozen food concept. So it’s got to be delivered to you within 24 hours. We’re trying to make it as easy as possible.”

While the concept works very well under the current trends caused by the pandemic, the real inspiration, said Guzzo, was figuring out a way to get their products to areas of the country that don’t have the brands that have come together under the Love Food to Go’s umbrella.

“While we want to respect the brick and mortar customers we have, okay how do we get to somewhere else? How do we get further reach without necessarily having to go in that area and convince one by one the stores that carry our product.

“This was something that was in the works for six, seven months before the pandemic. It’s just that the pandemic created an urgency of ok let’s get it done. We can actually accelerate this. Eventually the plan is to develop it into an almost frozen food subscription model.”

Special Edition 21: TC Transcontinental and its Retail Product Strategy: Interview

By
Retail Insider
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Special Edition 21: TC Transcontinental and its Retail Product Strategy: Interview

An off-schedule podcast discussion with Greg Neath, VP – Business Development In-Store & Direct Marketing and Premedia at TC Transcontinental Printing. Craig and Greg discuss the TC Transcontinental’s product expansion strategy in Canada, and how the company grew to become the largest of its kind in the country.

Interview Details: 

TC Transcontinental is a leader in flexible packaging in the United States, Canada and Latin America. It is also Canada’s largest printer. The company has over 8,000 employees, the majority of which are based in Canada, the United States and Latin America.

The Weekly podcast by Retail Insider Canada is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!

Follow Craig:

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Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.

Recipe Unlimited Launching Cross-Canada Multi-Brand Virtual Kitchens Expansion

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Screenshot of Ultimate Kitchens website
Screenshot of Ultimate Kitchens website

Recipe Unlimited, Canada’s largest full-service restaurant company, has launched its second multi-branded takeout and delivery-focused concept restaurant, Ultimate Kitchens, in Toronto.

The company opened its first location in March.

The new location, which opened last month, features a fully-integrated digital guest takeout and delivery experience. The participating brands across the two locations include a combination of Swiss Chalet, New York Fries, Harvey’s, East Side Mario’s, Montana’s BBQ, and partner concepts Fresh, Bento Sushi, and Blondies Pizza.

The Goal is to Provide Consumers With Access to Under-Serviced Concepts & Cuisines

Ultimate Kitchen logo
Ultimate Kitchens logo

Ultimate Kitchens said it will provide consumers with access to a variety of concepts under-serviced or not available in their local neighbourhood.

“Ultimate Kitchens brings our iconic brands, partner concepts and new cuisines to the homes of more Canadians while providing guests with a one-stop dining marketplace, combining meal variety, quality, value and speed in a single, effortless order. Our new prototype creates a fully digital takeout ordering experience, adding a new channel for guests to conveniently pick up food faster than what they’re accustomed to. Takeout or delivery, you can either enjoy the brands individually or mix and match to get exactly what you want in a single order,” said Frank Hennessey, CEO, Recipe Unlimited.

“This concept represents a significant opportunity for future growth and expansion for Recipe in Canada and beyond our borders. It’s on-point with the shift in consumer behaviour while enabling Recipe to serve markets where it may otherwise be cost prohibitive to build a traditional restaurant. The focus on takeout and delivery will enable us to better serve our guests in these communities.

Recipe Unlimited intends to have a national presence with as many as 12 locations by the end of 2021.

Yianni Fountas, Senior Director, Emerging Brands & Partnerships, Strategic Projects and Business Insights, Recipe Unlimited Corporation, said the first location was a delivery only concept.

“It was our first real crack at exploring the world of “virtual kitchens”, but our plan has always been to move towards a takeout and delivery marketplace model for our guests,” he said, adding that the first location was set up to test and get the operational side of the business up and running.”

Click for interactive Google Map of new Ultimate Kitchens location.

“The second location, which opened in November, features a fully immersive digital takeout experience. Ultimate Kitchens provides a one-stop shop for guests that offers a variety of different restaurants, cuisines – everything, all in one place. We’ve also been able to integrate the operations and IT kitchen systems of all restaurant partners to provide a seamless ordering experience. That means Guests can flip back and forth through the different menus of the participating brands and order their favourite items, from their favourite restaurants – all in one order. It gives you the ability to mix and match.”

“The first two Ultimate Kitchens are located in Toronto, but the intent is to expand and scale nationally by the end of 2021. We’re going to continue to grow. But it’s important to note that this is not a strategy to replace our brick and mortar restaurant business. In my opinion, there will always be a value that our guests place on a restaurant experience – the friendly service or ambiance that cannot be replicated or recreated at home. Ultimate Kitchens complements our existing network and isn’t just a response to the pandemic. For the past few years, we’ve seen a change in consumer trends from our existing business shift more into the takeout and delivery channels. We believe that by focusing on these channels, it can become a growth stream for Recipe outside of our traditional business. This provides us the opportunity to service those markets where we’re currently underrepresented.”  

Fountas said Ultimate Kitchens continues to add food partners where it believes it adds value to its customers and helps serve an under-serviced cuisine or concept in certain areas.

“Working with our aggregator partners, we’ve been able to identify the need for additional cuisines and/or concepts by location outside of what Recipe has under its umbrella. From there, we will evaluate whether it makes sense to fill that gap with a third party partnership or explore creating a virtual brand in an effort to create this one-stop marketplace for our guests that satisfies every craving,” he said.  

“We personally believe that whether it’s takeout or delivery, Ultimate Kitchens serves a different, convenience-driven, meal occasion that a consumer is looking for. Our objective, or rather our purpose, is to be around to service these new convenience-driven meal occasions in whatever fashion that the guest is looking for.”  

Founded in 1883, Recipe Unlimited Corporation is Canada’s largest full-service restaurant company. The company franchises and/or operates some of the most recognized brands in the country including Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, St-Hubert, The Keg, Milestones, Montana’s, Kelseys, East Side Mario’s, New York Fries, Prime Pubs, Bier Markt, Landing, Original Joe’s, State & Main, Elephant & Castle, The Burger’s Priest, The Pickle Barrel, Marigolds & Onions, and 1909 Taverne Moderne.

As at September 27, 2020, Recipe had 24 brands and 1,355 restaurants, 84 percent of which are operated by franchisees and joint venture partners, operating in 10 countries (Canada, USA, Bahrain, China, India, Macao, Oman, Panama, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE).

BRIEF: Intermix Exiting Canada, Chicken Chain Opening 30 Locations in Canada, Luxury Mall for Downtown Vancouver

By
Retail Insider
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Retail Insider Brief collage
Retail Insider Brief collage

US-Based Dave’s Hot Chicken to Open 30 Locations in Canada, Starting in Toronto

Los Angeles-based Dave’s Hot Chicken will open its first international location next month in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood at 1582 Queen Street West. A national expansion is planned over the course of 2021 with about 30 locations planned.

Exterior of Dave's Hot Chicken. Photo: Dave's Hot Chicken
Exterior of Dave’s Hot Chicken. Photo: Dave’s Hot Chicken

The fast-casual concept specializes in hot chicken tenders and sliders which are offered at seven various spice levels, ranging from No Heat to Reaper (which requires a signed waiver for those who dare), and a variety of sides including house-made kale slaw, creamy mac n’ cheese, and crispy french fries. The menu will feature items that are unique to Canada with locally sourced craft beers and classic Dave’s Hot Chicken staples shaped around ‘Canadian cuisine’.

Interior of Dave's Hot Chicken. Photo: Dave's Hot Chicken
Interior of Dave’s Hot Chicken. Photo: Dave’s Hot Chicken

Toronto-based Obelysk Foods Ltd. is the Canadian franchisee who is bringing Dave’s Hot Chicken to Canada. Blair Bitove, Director of Business Development, Obelysk. “In just a few years, Dave’s Hot Chicken has established a cult and celebrity following across the US with its craveable menu offerings and unique combinations of spices. We look forward to continuing that momentum across Canada and watching Canadians flock to the brand.”

Co-founder and Chef Dave Kopushyan, along with his three best friends, came up with the idea for Dave’s Hot Chicken in early 2017. Dave is a classically trained chef, and self-described ‘spice freak’ and says he was inspired by the unique, flavourful spice of Nashville Hot Chicken and set out to create his own version. Dave’s Hot Chicken is one of the fastest-growing restaurant concepts in history, with more than 200 locations under contract across the US since it began franchising in 2019.

Intermix to Shut Only Canadian Store

Exterior of Intermix store before the brand's imminent departure from Canada. Photo: Craig Patterson
Exterior of Intermix store before the brand’s imminent departure from Canada. Photo: Craig Patterson

Gap-owned, multi-brand luxury retailer Intermix will shut its only Canadian store next month as the company downsizes its footprint. Intermix opened at 130 Bloor Street West in September of 2011.

The Gap acquired Intermix in 2012 with plans for further expansion. Intermix at the time was competing with another edgy multi-brand retailer, Scoop, which was also expanding across the United States.

Interior of Intermix store before the brand's imminent departure from Canada. Photo: Craig Patterson
Interior of Intermix store before the brand’s imminent departure from Canada. Photo: Craig Patterson

WWD reported in January of 2011 that the 2,500-square-foot Toronto Intermix flagship was the start of a rollout of Intermix stores across Canada. Under the Gap’s ownership, that Canadian Intermix multi-store expansion never came to fruition.

The space won’t be vacant for long as brands look to open stores on Toronto’s ‘Mink Mile’ which houses flagships for brands such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Burberry, and others.

Luxury Retail Shopping Centre Proposal for Downtown Vancouver

Rendering of the 1045 Haro Street Vancouver retail podium. Rendering Intracorp
Rendering of the 1045 Haro Street Vancouver retail podium. Rendering Intracorp

Developer Intracorp is proposing a unique 42,000-square-foot mini shopping centre in downtown Vancouver that would be at the base of a 55 storey luxury condominium tower. The two-level retail plaza at 1045 Haro Street would include 19,000 square feet at street level with an additional 23,000 square feet on the second level.

The site at the northeast corner of Thurlow Street and Haro Street will feature a diagonal galleria that will extend from the corner of Thurlow Street and Rosemary Brown Lane through to a new public plaza that will face onto Haro Street. Rosemary Brown Lane is expected to be revitalized for commercial uses, as was the case with the laneway directly north of Robson Street’s 1000 block.

The developer won’t say what type of retail will move into the new centre, though it noted the possibility of a restaurant with patio space on the second level. A source being consulted for the project tells Retail Insider that the project is looking to court luxury retailers for the complex with a particular focus on the Thurlow Street side for big-names. This would bring luxury retail south from the Alberni Street and Thurlow Street intersection and could result in much needed space for luxury brands looking to open or expand in the Vancouver market.

BRIKA Moves Online

An element of the Brika merchandised content studio at First Capital Realty's luxury Yorkville Village property. Photo: Brika
An element of the Brika merchandised content studio at First Capital Realty’s luxury Yorkville Village property. Photo: Brika

BRIKA, Toronto-based retail agency that creates experiential retail pop-ups for property developers and brands, has quickly pivoted their offline activations to provide an omni-channel experience at First Capital Realty’s luxury Yorkville Village property. The holiday pop-up, which was to take place in-person for the month of December, has now become a fully decorated and merchandised content studio and curb-side pickup location. This initiative has been launched in partnership with florist Bloom Service. In addition, a mirror e-commerce site has been launched at brikapopup.com.

This curated shop includes nearly 30 small and local businesses, and there is momentum to support local and small given the shut-down of retailers currently.

In addition to their Canadian pop-ups this winter season, BRIKA opened a concept shop “The Art of the Cozy” on December 15th in Aspen, Colorado. Featuring nearly 30 elevated brands, this curated store is in the centre of the city where retail occupancies are at nearly 100%.

By The Namesake Launches ‘Namesake Studio’: An Interactive Toronto Studio Space and Lifestyle Extension

Upstairs office of the Namesake Studio. Photo: By The Namesake
Upstairs office of the Namesake Studio. Photo: By The Namesake

By The Namesake, a luxury custom leather brand, launches Namesake Studio: an interactive space that functions as a showroom, production facility, photography studio, event, and retail space.

Namesake Studio goes beyond the physical with a lifestyle extension including ready-to-wear and accessories designed to pair with the brand’s leather jackets, along with a curated selection of leather infused homeware. As a creative, the founder of By The Namesake, Rosa Halpern, has yearned for a unique concept studio to not only provide a haven for her team but a dynamic space that clients and fellow creatives within the industry can use.

Founder Rosa Halpern (center) with ATG’s Ryan Gibson (left) and Interior Designer Ali Budd (right)
Founder Rosa Halpern (centre) with ATG’s Ryan Gibson (left) and Interior Designer Ali Budd (right)

With the help of Ali Budd, owner of Ali Budd Interiors, and Ryan Gibson, owner of Against The Grain Remodelling, the space, which was once an industrial shipping warehouse, has been transformed into a leather wonderland. The over-the-top decor includes a two-story cow-hide runner and leather-wrapped bar tops and benches that are meant to inspire visitors to help them imagine the endless possibilities of custom leather. The vision for her new home-base propelled Halpern to create an extension of the By The Namesake rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle — she took the opportunity to fill the space with an ever-evolving market approach consigning from local businesses and artisans, along with items made in-house that would complement her leather jackets and curated interiors.

Halpern built out the wearable extension in response to customer queries on how she styles her leather jackets and pants: “My customers have always asked me how to style their jackets with other clothing, often asking me where my full outfit was from. I started By The Namesake with the desire to create jacket styles that I could not find on the market and I am so excited to launch an extension that will advance the story of the brand, while reflecting on my own personal style.”

The extension includes six black silk basic styles; a jewelry line in collaboration with Mark Lash, one of Canada’s most prominent jewelry designers; and a curated selection of rare, globally-sourced first-generation vintage rock band t-shirts from the ‘80s and ‘90s.

The brand continues to carry their already existing personalized candles and leather bins while adding a new assortment of home accessories to its product lineup. Along with the in-house lifestyle items, Halpern has filled the studio with accessories, artwork, and homeware that offer a retail platform to other local small businesses and artisans, including Coup de Tete, SAMD, Hannah Candle, Tahsin The Good, Carmel Floral, and Mellah Projects.

The Namesake Studio lifestyle expansion will be available for purchase online at www.bythenamesake.com and in person at Namesake Studio, 95 Florence Street, Toronto.

Southcentre Mall is Taking a Community-Forward Approach to the 2020 Holiday Season

Exterior of Southcentre Mall. Photo: Southcentre Mall
Exterior of Southcentre Mall. Photo: Southcentre Mall

This holiday season, Southcentre Mall is implementing a community-forward approach to the holidays by focusing on giving back to those in need and supporting local businesses. Southcentre is inviting guests to help raise 350,000 meals for Food Banks Canada, in addition to continuing to champion the shop local movement on behalf of Calgary-based retailers that call the mall home.

Food banks around the country have experienced a 20% increase in the number of people needing support, and that number is continuing to rise. While most Calgarians were being told to stock up on supplies during the pandemic, those who struggle with food insecurity have not had that privilege.

Southcentre is calling on the Calgary community to offer a final wave of support to Food Banks Canada as the year comes to a close with its unique #PassThePlate2020 campaign. The campaign first launched in October and provides multiple ways to give back both virtually and in person by using #PassthePlate2020 on social media, donating outstanding balances from mall gift cards and scanning QR codes located throughout the mall.

Southcentre is also dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs year round and focuses on breaking down barriers and providing opportunities that smaller enterprises might not normally have access to in order to help them achieve long term success and sustainability. This holiday season, Southcentre is helping shoppers to identify its local retailers with special stickers on storefronts. Oak & Tonic, Joydrop, Collab, Lamose, and Adesso Man are just a few examples of local retailers who have grown their businesses at Southcentre.

Southcentre has also introduced a number of initiatives to make shopping safer and simpler during the holidays. Shopping hours have been extended (open until 9pm on weekdays), guests can now virtually save their spot in line for specific retailers with Save Your Spot. Curbside pick-up is also available and the ShopNOW tool allows guests to plan their shopping trip online before heading in-store.

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From In-House Studio to Serving Largest Canadian Retailers – 2 Year Anniversary of StylePhotos

By
Retail Insider
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Stylephotos website homepage
Stylephotos website homepage

Retail Insider was one of the first sources to report on the inception and development of new e-commerce photography start-up StylePhotos Canada. StylePhotos is now celebrating two years of business, remembering its origins as an in-house studio for their own e-commerce platform OriginalLuxury.

Today it has become a go-to studio and one of the leaders in e-commerce content creation for the largest Canadian and U.S. retailers as well as independent entrepreneurs. We met with one of the founders of StylePhotos, Khasan Aripov, to see how the processes have changed since the company’s launch in late 2018.

All three machines in the StylePhotos studio were fully occupied by the operators, who process boxes of products and create high-quality photo and video content for e-commerce retailers. One of the most important questions we had was related to the pandemic and the changes and challenges it created for the business. Mr. Aripov notified us that during the full-lockdown in Toronto the business suffered just like any other business, since the studio had to shut down their operations completely. Given the caliber of clients that StylePhotos currently serves, a large backlog started to form. When the lockdown restrictions were lifted however, and the studio began to operate again, the whole StylePhotos team was operating full-time to support their clients and their businesses with much needed content.

When asked about the main reason for StylePhotos’ success in partnering with the largest retailers and acquiring a large customer base of individual entrepreneurs, Mr. Aripov said that he believes that the unique and systematic approach taken by StylePhotos allowed the company to appeal to all tiers of retailers.

StylePhotos developed its own software solutions to streamline the ordering process by creating a digital style guide for its clients — this way every photography order is consistent and every machine operator knows exactly what light, shadow, and angles have to be maintained. This approach allowed the company to implement extremely competitive pricing  which is based on volume orders; something that did not exist in e-commerce content creation before. A traditional approach of shooting products was considerably more expensive, time consuming, and inconsistent — which resulted in lower sales and higher returns for the clients ordering e-commerce content. The most important factor for success is that StylePhotos eliminated human error. The unique systems and technologies utilized by StylePhotos provide unprecedented consistency to its clients. StylePhotos also offers one-price-for-all strategy, where every client (regardless of company’s size) is paying  the same pricing that already includes editing, post-production and product prepping. With this approach, clients are fully aware of the cost of services, and will not be facing any additional charges.

Mr. Aripov also noted that the current situation in the retail industry is alarming — players of all sizes are exiting the market, or facing unprecedented loss of cash-flows. The old mentality of larger retailers of focusing on brick and mortar stores is no longer applicable — companies that fail to offer their products online without a doubt will become obsolete. The overhead costs from rent, utilities, large staffing requirements and constant  inventory ordering threaten well being even of the largest retailers.

Mr. Aripov also mentioned that StylePhotos is currently partnered with a small tech start-up from Switzerland that is developing a unique solution to edit photos and videos virtually automatically, to further enhance the speed of content creation. This software is built using machine learning and most advanced algorithms to ensure accuracy  and reliability of the solution.

We also asked Mr. Aripov if StylePhotos has reached its peak in terms of capacity, to which he replied that currently StylePhotos outgrew itself in terms of current location and equipment. Given the large client portfolio that StylePhotos currently has, it is apparent that the need for expansion is imminent. Mr. Aripov and his team are also working with potential investors who are approaching StylePhotos to find the right investor that would assist StylePhotos in expanding. Further expansion within Canada as well as the United States are a priority according to Mr. Aripov.

“We started off as an unknown studio 2 years ago,” said Mr. Aripov. “However in two years we were able to transform and grow to become one of the leading e-commerce content providers, thanks to utilization of cutting edge technologies, and well-thought systems that were put in place. We are  looking for the right investor who sees the potential of this market to expand our operations to increase our capacity and capabilities to capture a larger share of the e-commerce content creation market. We are confident that the demand is there, and with the right partner we will substantially increase our client base and subsequent revenue.”

The COVID era may have shuttered many businesses in the retail and hospitality industries, but we are glad that this has given an opportunity for companies like StylePhotos to disrupt the industry and help businesses transition towards e-commerce in an affordable manner.

Luxury Multi-Brand Retailer ‘The Webster’ to Open 1st Canadian Store in Toronto’s Yorkville Neighbourhood

By
Craig Patterson
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Rendering of The Webster Facade in Yorkville. Rendering: The Webster
Rendering of The Webster Facade in Yorkville. Rendering: The Webster

Miami-based multi-brand luxury retailer The Webster will open its first Canadian storefront in July of 2021 in Toronto’s affluent Yorkville neighbourhood. The Webster is expected to disrupt luxury retailing in the city with an innovate strategy that includes one-on-one clienteling and a selection of luxury goods that in some instances are not sold elsewhere.

The Webster’s Toronto store will span about 6,500 square feet in a heritage building at 121 Scollard Street near the corner of Hazelton Avenue. The building was built in 1884 by Leeds Sheppard and it will be preserved and designed by Stéphane Parmentier, a Parisian interior designer who is also the creative director of The Webster Home vertical.

The Scollard Street store will be The Webster’s eighth retail store and the brand’s first outside of the United States.

Laure Heriard Dubreuil
Laure Heriard Dubreuil

Laure Heriard Dubreuil, Founder and CEO of The Webster, said, “It is absolutely incredible to think that we will soon have a permanent international outpost! I am so grateful for the success and support that The Webster has had domestically thus far, and I am so excited for the new adventure that awaits us in Toronto. It is such an energetic city full of life and experiences, a perfect fit for our colourful curations. I am looking forward to working with Stephane again to bring another one of our visions to life.”

121 Scollard Street prior to renovations. Photo: First Capital REIT

First Capital REIT owns the 121 Scollard Street building which is currently undergoing a renovation to house The Webster.

“First Capital are wonderful partners and we have been completely in sync since the start with our execution of luxury retail, as we both believe in creating more than a shopping experience for our clients,” she said.

Eric Sherman, Vice President, Real Estate-Yorkville at First Capital REIT said, “We are thrilled to welcome The Webster’s first international flagship to Toronto and specifically to our portfolio in Yorkville. The Webster has quickly emerged as one of the most prestigious and coveted luxury concepts in the world. They are committed to delivering unique and curated experiences within a luxury environment that mirrors First Capital’s approach to the neighbourhood as a whole. We are proud to deliver another creative transformation of a gorgeous heritage building in Yorkville which has become the chosen destination for luxury concepts and consumers alike.”

Michiel Maes, Chief Operating Officer of The Webster, said, “Toronto had been on our radar for a while. It’s one of the largest and most diverse cities in North America, and it welcomes a large number of international tourists every year. Those are all factors that have shown to be huge drivers for our success since we started in Miami 12 years ago. We thus see an enormous demand for luxury fashion in Toronto.”

The Webster is expected to take some market share from retailers such as Holt Renfrew and Saks Fifth Avenue — some of the same brands are carried at those stores, with The Webster boasting a unique assortment not found elsewhere. Founder Laure Heriard Dubreuil for years developed relationships with key brands and obtains some merchandise via consignment. Prior to founding The Webster, Ms. Heriard Dubreuil lived in Paris and worked as a top merchandiser for Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent.

More than 100 of the industry’s leading fashion designers are available at The Webster stores including ready-to-wear for women, men, and kids. Brands include Alexander Wang, Amiri, Amina Muaddi, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Celine, Chanel, Chloé, Dior, Dries Van Noten, Fendi, Fear of God, Givenchy, Gucci, Heron Preston, Jacquemus, Khaite, LaQuan Smith, Loewe, Marine Serre, Off-White, Paco Rabanne, Palm Angels, Raf Simons, Rhude, Saint Laurent, and The Row among others. A private label brand called LHD, designed by the founder herself, adds an extra element of uniqueness with bold silhouettes and playful prints.

The Webster also features an expanded assortment of products including fine jewellery, home goods and most recently, beauty products.

The Webster was founded in 2009 when Laure Heriard Dubreuil opened a 20,000-square-foot store in the former Webster Hotel at 1220 Collins Avenue in South Beach, Miami. The Art Deco building spans three floors and became a draw for locals and tourists. “The idea was a place where you can feel very comfortable,” said Ms. Heriard Dubreuil of The Webster’s concept. “It’s a place to spend time. You arrive, you take off your shoes, you’re at someone’s house, or you’re in your gigantic closet, and you can try everything.” Rather than organize the store according to brand, Ms. Heriard Dubreuil merchandised it as if it were a personal wardrobe by mixing big brands with the emerging, arranging everything intuitively by mood, which was revolutionary at the time.

A decade after opening the first location, The Webster opened stores in Bal Harbour (Bal Harbour Shops) near Miami, in Houston Texas (adjacent to Houston Galleria) , at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa California, in New York City’s SoHo area, in Los Angeles at the Beverly Center, and most recently in Montecito California. The Webster also has an outlet store at Sawgrass Mills in Florida. Each store has its own personality.

 

Collaborations and limited edition product availability are also part of The Webster’s appeal. The retailer has partnered with brands such as Paco Rabanne, Off-White, and Fenty, and has permanent collaborations with David Mallett and Joanna Czech who operate studios out of The Webster’s SoHo location in New York City.

The Webster’s retail strategy seems to be working. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, sales are up significantly for the retailer this year over last which speaks to the power of personal relationships with its top clients. In Toronto, The Webster is expected to court some of the city’s wealthiest and trendiest residents.

Interactive Google Map of !21 Scollard Street and surrounding area.
Interactive Google Map of 121 Scollard Street and surrounding area.

This week the 121 Scollard Street building was under tarp and construction could be heard within. An expansion at the back of the building could house a restaurant space according to one source, with the front of the building dedicated to fashion. It’s unclear what colour The Webster’s Toronto building will be — the retailer’s South Beach flagship and Beverly Centre locations both feature pink facades. One source said that the Toronto store could be painted gold.

The location of The Webster in Toronto is unique. Scollard Street is a much quieter street when compared to nearby Yorkville Avenue and Cumberland Street. Bylaws state that new restaurants are not permitted to open on Scollard Street, which is home to a mix of upscale retailers and service businesses as well as several multi-million dollar residential townhouses. The Webster will be located next to fashion retailer George C. which fronts onto Hazelton Avenue, with fashion guru Nicholas Mellamphy’s by appointment luxury showroom Cabine being located across the street on Hazelton Avenue.

Yorkville Avenue, located a block south of Scollard Street, has seen a flurry of leasing activity since 2016 that included the addition of several luxury brands. Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Off-White, Brunello Cucinelli, Versace, Stone Island, and others have opened on Yorkville Avenue and more brands are said to be in talks to open on the street as well. To the south of Yorkville Avenue is Cumberland Street which features a mix of retail and restaurants, and a block south of Cumberland Street is the prestigious ‘Mink Mile’ stretch of Bloor Street West which houses flagship stores for some of the world’s top luxury brands.

The addition of The Webster to Toronto’s Yorkville will help the area attract other luxury brand stores. For the past several years, the Yorkdale Shopping Centre has attracted some of the world’s top luxury brands, which are now said in some instances to be looking to open second locations in Bloor-Yorkville. With recent announcements such as Italian luxury menswear brand Isaia’s move into Yorkville, the area is expected to see more luxury brand store announcements into 2021.

Plant-Based Retailer PlantX Opening 1st Canadian Flagship Store in Squamish

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Exterior of PlantX Flagship in San Diego. Photo: PlantX
Exterior of PlantX Flagship in San Diego. Photo: PlantX

PlantX, a one-stop shop for everything plant based, is moving into the Canadian marketplace with a physical location in Squamish, B.C., with plans to grow its presence in the country through franchise operations.

Sean Dollinger, founder of the unique concept, said PlantX is the digital face of everything plant-based utilizing the power of education and accessibility. The company aims to be the most trusted and convenient online destination for those interested in a plant-based lifestyle.

PlantX was founded in December 2019. It became a website in April of this year. It went public in August.

Dollinger said the company is the digital face of the plant-based community. Its mission is to eliminate the barriers to entry for anyone interested in a plant-based lifestyle, with a goal to help individuals in living a longer, happier, and healthier life.

In Canada, the flagship retail location in Squamish will be 15,000 square feet with an expected launch at the beginning of the new year. The company also has a location in San Diego of 4,500 square feet.

“These are built as models for people to then be able to get franchises to then have their own stores and educate people and then also act as a distribution centre for the ecommerce platform as well,” said Dollinger.

The Squamish location will include a cafe, a restaurant with plant-based meals, and a plant-based education centre.

“Basically what we’re building out is a pop up store with a thousand different products to begin with to start showing people that plant-based living can be fun, taste great and they can actually be full,” said Dollinger.

“We are following in the footsteps of Apple, Microsoft and Tesla who believe that education fuels growth. We look forward to expanding the concept across North America through franchising and hope others will join us in the plant-based movement.

“We are not a brand. We’re a platform.” – Plantx

“We are not a brand. We’re a platform.”

The 15,000-square-foot Locavore Bar & Grill in Squamish will be redesigned as PlantX’s Canadian flagship location, keeping Locavore’s management staff. The popular Cloudburst Cafe will become the PlantX Cafe, with an updated design and new menu, keeping the top selling items. The company will use the space as a showcase for franchises including a multi-tiered pop-up shop concept, food truck and full-service bar for beer, wine and mixed drinks.

“It is very exciting for all of us to see our Canadian flagship location come to life,” said Julia Frank, PlantX CEO. “There are so many great features that showcase our brand under one roof and we can’t wait to implement them in all of our franchises across North America.”

Dollinger said the company has developed a franchise model to grow its footprint through North America and internationally.

PlantX offers customers across North America more than 10,000 plant-based products. In addition to offering meal and indoor plant deliveries, the company currently has plans underway to expand its product lines to include cosmetics, clothing, and its own water brand — but the business is not limited to an e-commerce platform.

The company says it uses its digital platform to build a community of like-minded consumers, and most importantly, provide education. It says its successful enterprise is being built and fortified on partnerships with top nutritionists, chefs, and brands. The company eliminates the barriers to entry for anyone interested in living a plant-based lifestyle, and thriving in a longer, healthier, and happier life.

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