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Retail Photo Tour: Retail at The Distillery Historic District in Toronto and What’s to Come

By
Dustin Fuhs
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Distillery District -March 2021 (Photo by Dustin Fuhs)

Retail Insider continues its Photo Tour series of Canadian retail centres to provide a window into shopping centres and retail districts across the country that are continuing to grow and expand while dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This edition takes us to The Distillery District in Toronto. 

The Distillery Historic District is a commercial and residential neighbourhood, encompassing more than 40 boutiques and one-of-a-kind shops within a 13-acre plot of land in Downtown Toronto. 

We connected with the team at The Distillery District in order to create a memorable and informative article for our readers. It’s important to acknowledge and thank Elena Price, General Manager of The Distillery Historic District, and the entire team at The Distillery District. We also want to acknowledge Laurie Weir from NextPR.

The Distillery Historic District. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

These images were taken over a period between March 10th and March 21st, 2021 during which Toronto was in the “Grey Zone” of a stay-at-home order and into a modified lockdown. 

The History of The Distillery District

Distillery District National Heritage Site. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

The Distillery District stands on land that was originally the traditional territory of the Anishanabek First Nations (including the Mississauga of the Credit), the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat. When the British began colonizing and subdividing the land, the space now known as The Distillery District was designated as a park. In the early 1830’s the park was divided into lots and sold in order to raise funds for a Hospital.

The Distillery Historic District History

One of the first to purchase this land was James Worts, a British immigrant who had been a miller for years.  His intention was to partner with his brother-in-law William Gooderham to build a windmill and make flour and use some of the grains to make beer. The windmill was completed in 1832, but Worts suddenly passed away in 1834 leaving Gooderham to manage the business and take care of both men’s families. In 1837 Gooderham decided to add a distillery to the mill to make whiskey, ultimately changing the direction of the company. After a time the sale of whiskey became more than their sales of flour and the windmill was torn down.

As the Gooderham & Worts Distillery expanded they built more buildings that could specialize in different aspects of production.  This was especially helpful during the First World War when many of those additional buildings were converted to making chemicals necessary for the war effort. When Prohibition struck Canada in 1916 Gooderham & Worts were able to keep producing alcohol as the Ontario Temperance Act did not prohibit alcohol production. By 1923 the Gooderham heirs sold Gooderham & Worts Distillery to Harry C Hatch who began bootlegging and rum-running his newly-purchased whiskey all over prohibition North America. He also took the time to change the name of the company to Hiram Walker – Gooderham & Worts.

Eventually the alcohol production at the Toronto branch of the Hiram Walker – Gooderham & Worts company stopped and the site focused on industrial alcohols, but even that was coming to an end and by 1990 all production at the old Gooderham & Worts Distillery had ceased. After it was closed it was used periodically for movie and television shows (hits include Tommy Boy, Cinderella Man, Chicago, X-Men, Murdoch Mysteries, and many more). But the future of the area remained uncertain — many of the buildings desperately needed expensive renovations and the entire Distillery had been designated a national historic site in 1988 which limited the potential for development.  

Finally in 2001, Cityscape Holdings purchased the site, and by 2003, and after extensive restoration, it reopened as a hub for arts and culture. Today it is owned by both Cityscape Holdings and Dream Office REIT and is recognized as the largest collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture in North America.

The Distillery District in 2021 

If you look at the directory below, there are three main streets (Tank House Lane, Trinity Street, and Gristmill Lane) with additional streets that are home to hidden gems. We’ll be focusing on the retail side of the location, but it’s important to share that the restaurants and tourism offerings bring the personality of the district to life.

The Distillery Historic District – Directory March 2021
The Distillery Historic District Leasing Plan – March 2021

Distillery Retail News for 2021

Incubator Pop-Up Retail Spaces

This is an exclusive announcement from Retail Insider on the area, and we are excited to share it with our readers.

In 2021, The Distillery Historic District will be launching 6 ‘incubator’ pop-up retail spaces in a high-visibility location at the end of Trinity Street. These pre-built storage containers will allow for new tenants to join the Distillery community starting in early summer.

The rental opportunity is unique, as the district is offering flexible leasing terms for varying durations and allow exposure to the current customer base. The spaces will be semi-permanent, which could be interesting for future tenants to join the lineup. It’s a way for brands and entrepreneurs to try a cost-effective solution for a physical location while testing the market and developing their proof of concept.

The containers are described as having elegantly styled, front glass doors and window panels. In addition to finished ceilings, wall and flooring the units will have a full HVAC system, Hydro, and Wifi.

If anyone is interested in the pop-ups, reach out to John Berman at: jb@thedistillerydistrict.com

5 New Tenants in 2021

Although we are unable to publicly confirm the brands at this time, The Distillery District has provided us with the locations and will circle back when they are able to share with our readers.

Retail Space for Lease 

Former Mini Mioche Location. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

Space in The Distillery District is incredibly difficult to get, so when a unit becomes available, it is definitely newsworthy.

There is currently one retail vacancy. A unit, sitting at 1,558 square feet, with 200-year-old brick interior and an exposed wood beam in the ceiling. The original doors and windows bring character into a high-traffic spot on Case Good Lanes.

If anyone is interested in this location, reach out to John Berman at: jb@thedistillerydistrict.com

Sniffany & Co. Expansion

Sniffany & Co. at Distillery District. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

Pet-focused retailer “Sniffany & Co” has expanded its Distillery store by taking over the space next to their current location, essentially doubling the square footage. The brand started in Zurich Switzerland in 2009 and opened its Distillery location in 2019.

By growing its online business and creating a social media platform, the brand has been able to grow its business offerings to include a doggy spa service. The brand has also helped to bring more products to the ever-expanding pet market, especially in the growing communities that surround The Distillery District as new residential buildings are completed.

Retailer Spotlight

With an abundance of unique retailers and incredible interiors that make the Distillery a one-of-a-kind location, Retail Insider will be focusing on a number of spaces in particular.

Gotstyle

Gotstyle at Distillery District – March 2021. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

The 7,000-square-foot Gotstyle location in the Distillery brings together men’s and women’s fashions, formal wear, and tailoring services. Retail Insider actually covered the opening of the store back in 2012, which discussed the evolving retail landscape within the Distillery District at the time.

In 2020 and into 2021, GotStyle was forced to evolve its brand in the midst of various lockdowns and COVID requirements. In addition to closing its Bathurst location, Melissa Austria (co-owner and founder of GotStyle) documented the experience of being a business owner during the pandemic and what was going on behind the scenes.

The store carries a variety of brands in-store and online, including:

Canadian Brands:

International Brands:

Red Canoe

Red Canoe at Distillery District – March 2021. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

Started by Dax Wilkinson, Red Canoe is home to heritage brands that we all can identify with. The current lineup includes designs from the CBC, Bushplane (Cessna & De Havilland), RCAF, Boeing, NASA, and more.

Red Canoe has another location in the Junction at 2989 Dundas Street West.

Corktown Designs

Corktown Designs at Distillery District – March 2021. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

One of The Distillery District’s hidden gems, Corktown Designs, is located at 5 Trinity Street and sells artwork from over 75 international and local designers and artists.

Wildly Delicious

Wildly Delicious at Distillery District – March 2021. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

Wildly Delicious has been one of Canada’s specialty food companies since 1995. The flagship retail location is located at 11 Tank House Lane and provides a huge variety of food options, including quick service take-out and local retail partnerships.

The SPORT Gallery at Distillery District – March 2021. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

The SPORT Gallery opened in the Distillery in 2006. After an expansion in 2009, the brand found it’s current home in 2016 in a 2500-square-foot location beside Wildly Delicious and within a 3-pointer of the LOVE Locks art display. It’s also the home to Arena Coffee Bar.

On top of vintage-inspired sports apparel, the store is a must-see for folks who love to talk hockey or splurge on a piece of memorabilia. In 2020, the store made the decision to close its Granville Island store in Vancouver.

John Fluevog

John Fluevog at Distillery District – March 2021. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

Retail Insider covered the opening of the John Fluevog store at the Distillery District back in March 2013. The Vancouver-based footwear brands has stores in markets globally.

Blackbird Vintage Finds

Blackbird Vintage Finds – Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Blackbird Vintage Finds is celebrating their decade in the Distillery District. Opened in 2011, this retail gem is stocked with vintage and unique gifts.

The store is the second retail store that owner Paula DiRenzo started, with the first being “Fleur de Terre” at Avenue and St Germain. That location ran from 2001 to 2011, just before Blackbird opened in the Distillery at 11 Trinity Street.

Yummi Candles

Yummi Candles in the Distillery District – Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Yummi Candles moved to its current flagship location on the main stretch of Trinity Street from a retail space at the Cherry Street entrance, and it was a great decision. The opportunity to expand the retail business along with candle-making classes brings the space to life.

Gentil Uomo

Gentil Uomo in the Distillery District- Photo by Dustin Fuhs

Owner Antonio Gentilucci opened Gentil Uomo in the Distillery District back in 2012. With Chase Architecture looking after the design, the space came to life with a distinct style and loyal client base. This is the only retail location for Gentil Uomo.

GW General by Biltmore Furniture

GW General by Biltmore Furniture at the Distillery District. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

GW General by Biltmore Furniture is a hidden gem full of assorted antiques and local handmade items.

The Distillery Historic District Outdoor Environment During COVID

2021 is all about keeping guests and retailers safe during the ever-evolving pandemic situation. On top of creating online and curb-side pick-up and delivery options, retailers are adhering to a number of safety requirements. The current information for the Distillery can be found at their dedicated page: https://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/covid19/.

With the situation changing almost daily in Toronto, the communication has to be constant. Staff have been able to discuss support options for tenants through virtual meetings and weekly memos.

Spring & Summer Programming

In previous years The Distillery District has been known for its large outdoor events like music festivals and, in particular, its annual Christmas Market. These large outdoor events were cancelled in 2020 and look to be on hold for the majority of 2021, but the Distillery hopes to offer creative and socially-distanced ways to have fun outdoors.

With the addition of The Distillery District summer patios throughout the site, over 1,000 patio seats will be available. Guests can enjoy the open air in a pedestrian-only environment, while also supporting local food establishments.

The relaunch of The Distillery Flower Market is planned for the spring, and will run throughout the summer on weekends. All information on this will be posted on the website, as things can change at a moments notice with the pandemic safety protocols.

Goals of 2021 are to provide guests a variety of unique and experiential offerings in the historic open-air environment so that everyone can feel safe. The event calendar is on hold until the clearance from Public Health Ontario can be secured to host large events, which we are all looking forward to experiencing soon.

Looking Ahead

The Love Locks at the Distillery Historic District. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

We had a very interesting photo walk around The Distillery Historic District in Toronto and we hope you enjoyed coming along with us. Don’t forget to check out our other retail photo tours over the past few months. Thank you for taking this tour with us.

All Photos in this article were taken by Dustin Fuhs

Additional Distillery District Photos

Gristmill Lane at The Distillery Historic District. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

Gristmill Lane

Gristmill Lane at The Distillery Historic District
Artemide Limited Lights on the Left, at the Parliament Street Entrance to The Distillery District – March 2021
Go Tours Canada Managing Partner, Jason Rizzuti
Palgong Tea
Beauchamp Art Gallery
Cacao 70, Go Tours Canada and District Pizza
Deciem The Abnormal Beauty Company
District Pizza and the Shop Local art installation.
Lemon Water Wellness
All in the Wild
Hatley Little Blue House
Izumi Sake Brewery
ARVO Coffee at The Distillery District
ARVO Coffee at The Distillery District
Arta Gallery
The Distillery District – March 2021
Gooderham & Worts on the Boku patio
Boku
Crimson & Clover and the Voice Integrative School

Trinity Street

Trinity Street
Trinity Street Sign
Balzac’s at The Distillery District – March 2021
Balzac’s at The Distillery District – March 2021
The Queen’s Trunk
Spirit of York
Trinity Street Storefronts, including Blackbird Vintage Finds, Skin Treats, Hoi Bo, Red Canoe and Gentil Uomo
The Distillery District – March 2021
Trinity Street, including Blackbird Vintage Finds and Corktown Jewellery.
Madrina Bar y Tapas and John Fluevog

Tank House Lane

Locks of Love at The Distillery District – March 2021
El Catrin Destileria
The Sweet Escape and Tank House General
The Distillery District – March 2021
Bergo Designs at The Distillery District – March 2021
Young Centre for the Performing Arts at The Distillery District – March 2021
Soma Chocolates at The Distillery District – March 2021
Maisonette
Cluny at The Distillery District – March 2021
Spectacle at The Distillery District – March 2021
Pure Spirits Oyster House & Grill
Mill Street Brew Pub at The Distillery District – March 2021
FloorPlay Socks
Tank House Lane

Distillery Lane

Deciem
Miss J Lash Lounge
Thompson Landry Gallery
McManus & Campbell Hair Salon
Green Panda Convenience

Artscape

ARTSCAPE STUDIOS, GALLERIES & SHOPS – Click for a link to the individual retailers and their shops/websites

More Distillery Businesses

The Wax Pot and H20 Float Studio
The Beer Store Boutique

Thanks for Joining Us

The Distillery District Entrance Signage during COVID-19. Photo: Dustin Fuhs

Canadian Retailer ‘Boathouse’ Leasing Former Le Chateau Stores for Significant Expansion [Exclusive]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Boathouse at CrossIron Mills.
Boathouse at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

St. Catharines, Ontario-based Boathouse, a retailer of men’s and women’s clothing, footwear, and accessories, is expanding its footprint across Canada seeking out retail spaces recently vacated by Le Chateau.

Janet Weatherhead, Director of Sales and Operations for Boathouse/Blackwell Supply Company, said the company is picking up a selection of Le Chateau locations in Canada.

“They’re going to do well for us because they’re large. Most of the locations are over 6,000 square feet with the biggest one being at the Kingsway Mall in Edmonton which is close to 8,000 square feet,” said Weatherhead.

“So we can really showcase our brands well in that space and we do carry an extensive shoe selection. The more square footage we have, the more we can showcase our shoes as well.”

Boathouse has committed to the following former Le Chateau locations: Mayfair, Victoria; Scarborough Town Centre, Toronto; CF Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener; Kingsway Mall, Edmonton; Gatineau; CF Fairview Point Claire, Montreal Island; CF Promenades St Bruno near Montreal; Southgate Mall, Edmonton; CF Carrefour Laval near Montreal, and CF Galeries d’Anjou, Montreal.

In the midst of this expansion, the company is also opening three more Blackwell Supply Co. shoe stores in Kelowna, Limeridge, and Halifax. A couple of the Blackwell locations were formerly Naturalizer locations and the one in Kelowna was a former Aldo store.

Boathouse, which began in 1973 as a small business, today has about 90 stores. There are also about 20 Blackwell stores, which are operated as a separate business.

Boathouse carries a massive selection of Carhartt, Champion, Calvin Klein, Kolby, Herschel Supply Co., Volcom, Adidas, Obey, Billabong, Vans, Crooks & Castles, Nike, SAXX, Timberland, Tentree, and more.

Exterior of Blackwell Supply Co. store. Photo: GL Smith

“We consider ourselves a lifestyle retailer which means we cater to brand conscious consumers of all ages, of absolutely all ages,” said Weatherhead. “We believe in giving our consumers the trendiest and hottest brands in the market right now. But we also believe in catering to the customer who’s been with us for the past 20 years.

“Some of our customers have worn Billabong when they were young and continue to wear Billabong.”

Known locally as Arlies, when the retailer began, the shop specialized in active lifestyle apparel, hard goods and footwear, catering to outdoor thrill-seekers and sports enthusiasts alike. Since that time, it expanded its presence in Canada and became known as Boathouse. It continues to sell active lifestyle brands, offering what it says is the best in clothing, footwear, accessories and more. In 2008 it launched Boathousestores.com.

“We’re still family owned and our office is still in St. Catharines,” said Weatherhead.

Boathouse has been reaching out to former Le Chateau employees for possible employment in the retail spaces it is taking on after Le Chateau’s departure.

“I believe that Canadian retail is one big family. I’ve always believed that,” said Weatherhead. “When we network, we all network together. When we go to Retail Networks Solutions meetings, it’s all retailers together. I think when a Canadian retailer closes it affects all of us.

“There’s enough room in the marketplace for every single retailer out there. So when one retailer leaves, it’s really devastating. It puts a lot of people out of work. It creates emptiness in malls. In Le Chateau’s case, at one time they were at the forefront of retail. There’s so much to learn from that company. In my opinion, they started Canadian retail women’s fashion. I think a lot of the practices and processes that they championed were put into place by many other companies.”

“Going forward we decided that we had to give them the first shot at any positions that were open.”

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For March 23, 2021

By
Retail Insider
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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web

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Central/Eastern Canada News

Western Canada News

UK-Based JD Group Expanding into Canada with ‘Size?’ Sneaker Retail Store Banner

By
Craig Patterson
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Exterior of 1000 Queen Street West set to house the new Size? store. Photo: Hullmark

UK-based JD Group is expanding its ’Size?’ sneaker and apparel-focused retail banner into Canada this year with plans for several locations in major markets. The first storefront will open this summer in Toronto and plans are already in place for Vancouver and possibly other cities.

Canada’s first location for Size? will be in a former bank building at 1000 Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue, representing the first location for the brand outside of the European market. Size? is known to do collaborations and release limited-edition product ‘drops’ which means that one may expect to see lineups periodically, something Toronto has become known for.

Size? was founded in 2000 and is known for stocking limited-edition sneakers, fashions, and accessories that are primarily classified as ‘streetwear’, with some product launches classed as global exclusives. The retail concept was initially launched by JD Group to trial edgier product collections before introducing them to the mass market through the JD fascia. Size? currently has stores in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.

  • Window of 1000 Queen Street West building with Size? advertisement. Photo: Hullmark Instagram
  • Photo of Ossington Ave street sign at the corner of Ossignton and Queen Street West where the new Size? store is located. Photo: Hullmark Instagram
Exterior of Size? store in Oxford, UK. Photo: Size?

Jordan Karp of brokerage Savills Canada represents the brand in Canada and he negotiated the Queen Street Size? lease deal on behalf of the retailer. Arlin Markowitz and the CBRE Toronto team acted on behalf of landlord Hullmark which owns 1000 Queen Street West as well as numerous other commercial buildings nearby on Queen Street as well as on Ossington Avenue.

The 1000 Queen building was most recently leased out to a co-working company which was there temporarily. Prior to that, upscale Detroit-based fashion brand Shinola occupied the space and before that, US-based Stussy operated its Canadian flagship store there. The building is located in an area considered to be one of the trendiest addresses in Toronto.

The building features a ground floor of 2,204 square feet as well as a mezzanine level of 324 square feet. A lower level space spans 2,221 square feet.

Size? will continue its Canadian store expansion in 2021 with a Vancouver storefront in a location that has yet to be announced. Size? is generally seeking street-front retail spaces in the 3,000 to 4,000 square foot range where at least 2,000 square feet of space can be dedicated to retail.

  • Photo: Size?
  • Photo: Size?
  • Photo: Size?

A second Toronto location is expected as soon as next year and its location is being strategized. A second Vancouver location is also anticipated, and Size? may consider stores in other markets such as Montreal for at least one location.

The entry of Size? into the Canadian market speaks to the confidence brands have in brick-and-mortar retail. The brand is expected to drive important foot traffic to the West Queen West area in Toronto which has seen vacancies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Size? also has robust social media and has launched a Canadian website at size.ca.

Many Canadians Won’t Return to Gyms Despite Vaccine: 25% of Gyms to Close Permanently Says Expert

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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"Sorry we're closed" sign on gym front door.

Despite beliefs that the COVID-19 vaccine would bring us back to normalcy and save the gym industry, it is becoming clear that that is not the case, says a new survey released recently by RunRepeat, a website that reviews running shoes.

“While countries work on vaccine manufacturing, distribution, and administration, gyms continue to struggle. Our previous report showed that a fifth of gyms were still closed as of September of 2020, which aligned with the IHRSA’s report (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association) predicting that 25 percent of gyms may be permanently closed by the end of last year,” said the report.

“As we continue into Q2 of 2021, the struggle to remain open, keep members engaged, and retain members will continue. Even as vaccines are distributed, it is clear that just the individual being vaccinated will not be enough for all members to return, seeing how nearly a quarter of members are waiting for their friends, family, and loved ones to also be vaccinated.

“The longer the vaccination process takes, the more likely we are to continue seeing people move away from gyms, gyms shutting their doors, and a new normal in the fitness industry to arise.”

The report surveyed 11,193 members from 142 countries to learn how many gym members plan to return to working out at the gym when vaccinated, how their membership status has changed, and how many are currently going to the gym.

In Canada, it found that 84.68 percent of Canadians are still not exercising at their gyms while only 15.32 percent are actively using their gyms.

The survey found that 32.22 percent of Canadians have cancelled their gym memberships while 33.33 percent have paused them.

When asked if they would return to their gyms after being vaccinated against COVID-19, 28.72 percent of Canadians said they would not; 43.62 percent said they would; and 27.66 percent said they would only when family and friends have also been vaccinated.

Nick Rizzo

When those that cancelled were asked if they planned to return to the gym after being vaccinated, 42.47 percent in Canada said no; 28.77 percent said yes; and 28.77 percent said yes when family and friends were also vaccinated.

Canada had the highest membership cancellation rate and was second to the U.S. in people’s intentions of returning after their cancellation.

Nick Rizzo, Fitness Research Director at RunRepeat, said he has been involved in many conversations over the past year about the plight of the gym industry, taking note about what gym owners and members are saying.

“There’s still a very large group of people who are very excited to be back in the gym. That’s still a given,” said Rizzo.

“There’s a large group of people who are very, very passionate about the gym. They want to be there.”

But there’s no doubt there is a trend out there with more people continuing their exercises and fitness workouts in different ways today — perhaps virtually or at home or outdoors. They are liking the convenience of it and the safety. They may also be saving money by not buying gym memberships.

“It’s really important to note that a lot of gyms rely heavily on a vast majority of their membership not using the gym. That’s a massive stream of revenue,” said Rizzo.

“In the past year, moving in this direction of home fitness has exploded.”

Companies are taking advantage of that and making accessible fitness equipment, previously only available in gyms, for people who want to work out in the comfort of their homes.

“There’s a major shift happening there. There’s a lot of money in advertising and marketing going in that direction to take away the market share from gyms. Right now it’s really dependent on are gyms going to realize that it’s not going back to normal,” said Rizzo. “There has to be some change. You have to listen to your customer base and identify what it is they’re looking for, what is it I’m not delivering on, how do I need to change.

“Gyms are going to have to operate a digital component to stay relevant. They’re going to have to offer some other solution that doesn’t require people to come into the gym because they can get that elsewhere.

“There’s too much momentum. There’s too much money. There’s too much already happening.  There’s too much out there that the gym can’t stay the same way and expect to maintain the same level of domination of the health and fitness industry.”

Inclus Expands into Canada Targeting Retailers with Innovative Risk Identification and Management Software

By
Retail Insider
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By Mark Sim

An innovative start-up out of Finland called Inclus is expanding into Canada in a big way this year and is targeting retailers and other businesses. The platform crowd-sources risk identification and mitigation strategies to help minimize the chance of a business failing to prepare for outlier events.

The company has developed a specific software tool for preparing plans in response to multiple situations and outcomes through collaborative scenario planning. Inclus has already penetrated European markets and has been used by larger entities. Remarkably, in creating its own response to the economic impacts of COVID-19, the Finnish government employed Inculus’ Scenario Planning Tool during a series of events hosted by President Sauli Niinistö.

Inclus says that it will continue to focus on filling the gap in collaborative risk management solutions with private and public sector organizations through cloud-based software tools. One issue is a business falling victim to recency bias for the status quo, and failing to appreciate the risk of a fundamental change. Inclus has developed a specific software tool for preparing plans in response to multiple situations and outcomes through collaborative scenario planning.

Risk management is perhaps the most critical, but least understood, component of successful project management, business operations, and public policy development. In any complex situation, there is always a chance of unexpected risks materializing occurring with potentially disastrous consequences. These “black swan” events, as popularized by mathematician Nassim Taleb, are the unpredictable and seemingly random outliers that humans struggle to understand, anticipate, and respond to effectively.

Over the past year, there has been no shortage of catastrophic situations in Canada that illustrate the power of outlier events. The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic left the country woefully unprepared in terms of health care infrastructure and medical capacity. Disrupted global supply chains and a lack of domestic manufacturing resulted in a serious shortfall of personal protective equipment in the initial months of the pandemic. More recently, issues have arisen regarding the capacity of Canada to produce their own supply of vaccines.

While it is easy to explain the current situation as an unique and completely unexpected health crisis, the challenges associated with the response can more accurately be described as a failure of risk management. The probability of a pandemic of this scale has long been communicated with government leaders by health experts, and the inability to anticipate and plan for this situation speaks to the systematic failure of organizations to understand risk management.

Lapses in risk management frequently have very real financial implications for large organizations. As the Covid-19 pandemic rapidly drew down global markets in early 2020, for example, the Alberta Investment Management Corp. (AIMCo) pension’s derivative trading strategy collapsed amidst unprecedented volatility. A failure of risk management has been identified as the core factor leading to the resulting $2.1 billion loss for AIMco. The fallout of this incident led to the announced departure of AIMco’s CEO and pushed institutional investors across Canada to revisit their internal risk management structures. A platform such as Inclus could have prevented this.

For anyone interested in learning more about Inclus as it expands into Canada, feel free to reach out to Retail Insider’s Editor-in-Chief Craig Patterson at: craig@retail-insider.com

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For March 22, 2021

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Retail Insider
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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web

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RYU Apparel Pushes Forward After Restructuring: CEO Interview

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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RYU store on Queen-Street West in Toronto. Photo: RYU

After a year of restructuring, Vancouver-based RYU (Respect Your Universe) Apparel believes it has set the foundation for success as the retailer focuses on growing its omni-channel strategy while operating some key flagship stores in Vancouver and Toronto.

The past few months has seen a flurry of news releases issued by the company as it has embarked on stabilizing the retail operations with an optimistic outlook for the future.

Cesare Fazari, CEO and Chairman of RYU, said “there’s been a big restructure and turnaround and I recently brought on Rob Blair as COO.”

Cesare Fazari

“Mr. Blair is a transformative thinker with a sharp eye for trend and a long history of executing high-growth strategies. It is an incredibly exciting announcement for RYU to welcome him to the team. Heading further into 2021, his experience will complement and empower the RYU team as we move to deliver on our strategic plans, which includes Canada Skateboard, Zoom Media, European distribution, product placement in BEI’s new series, “The Count” and RYU.com‘s new ecommerce store,” said Fazari of the retail executive with about 20 years experience in the industry.

Fazari said Blair brings nearly two decades of experience building high-growth iconic apparel and sportswear brands and is an industry expert in design, merchandising and corporate brand strategy, having worked with iconic athletic apparel brands Red Bull, Lululemon, Gap Body and Nike.

In February of 2020, athletic brand RYU announced store closures and the fact it was going to restructure. In a letter to shareholders, Marcello Leone, the company’s CEO, President, and Chairman of the Board at the time, described 2019 as the retailer’s most challenging year since inception.

Just over a year ago, the company had a total of 11 stores — there are now just three left in Toronto, Vancouver, and Williamsburg, NY.

“I don’t like talking about the past,” said Fazari. “Where we are now, I’m very positive and confident we will be able to take this company to the next level. It has the DNA of a billion-dollar brand.

“On the retail rollout over and above the three stores, I would say over time here there’s been a big transition in retail because of COVID. The stores will be more of call it education, the touch and feel, more as showrooms and more than anything as a support for our digital strategy which is our focus.

  • Interior of Vancouver RYU store. Photo: RYU
  • Interior of Queen Street West RYU store. Photo: RYU

“The retail strategy going forward over and above next year it will probably be more of a partnership with gyms and secondary locations where we’ll be able to do kiosks or a fixture which will have technology that we’ll be able to personalize the experience. I would say that the technology that we’re working with and going forward for that specific reason is like call it a personal stylist.”

In early March, the company announced it would be reopening its flagship stores in Vancouver and Toronto on April 16, saying it is a key step in the retailer’s omni-channel strategy and corporate re-set.

It said its e-commerce reach is expanding outside of North America into Europe and the UK. Part of its strategy is partnering with Canada’s skateboard Olympic team as well as global brands such as 7-Eleven, Red Bull, and Swatch.

“We are delighted to open our incredible lineup of products to customers in Europe and the UK through our e-commerce  store,” said Fazari. “Europe is a growing market for sports apparel and our expansion into the market is another key strategic milestone achieved in our global omni-channel strategy.”

Exterior of Vancouver RYU store on 4th Street. Photo: RYU

In February, RYU announced a partnership to ship its products to the Montreal-based high quality retailer, Altitude-Sports.

Fazari said the partnership is a fundamental step in setting the tone of the new company’s wholesale strategy with RYU’s sports apparel to be distributed on a national level by the retailer, in its stores and on its online-store.

“Service is going to be a big, big part of what we’re doing going forward where we’re really going to be there for our customers and clients and service and respect for their apparel dollars. It’s going to be what’s key,” said Fazari.

“We’re the best brand you’ve never heard of. There’s going to be some big, big exposure of our brand and our company going forward. I would say within seven years we’ll be a billion in sales. I know it sounds big but I understand what a billion is. Everyone now on board has been in billion-dollar companies and understands really what it means, the work that it takes, the dedication and the talent.

“I’m really, really happy with where we are now and where we’re going.”

Podcast [The Weekly]: Club Monaco Bloor Shutters, Food Hall Opening

By
Retail Insider
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Season 3, Episode 8: Club Monaco Bloor Shutters, Sunterra Market Opening

This week, Craig and Lee discuss Club Monaco’s Toronto departure and Canadian food hall announcements.  The 25 year run for Club Monaco has ended in the iconic building on Toronto’s Bloor Street and  two food hall announcements are discussed for Alberta and British Columbia. 

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.

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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!

Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Retail Profile: CrossIron Mills in Calgary (March 2021)

By
Lee Rivett
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CrossIron Mills sign next to Highway 2 freeway connecting Calgary and Edmonton.
CrossIron Mills sign next to Highway 2 freeway connecting Calgary and Edmonton. Photo: Pop-up go | Zenergy Communications

Retail Insider continues its Photo Tour series of Canadian malls to provide a glimpse into shopping centres which may be less frequented lately due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This edition takes us to CrossIron Mills next to Calgary, Alberta. The shopping centre is often referred to as being a ‘hybrid outlet’ model as it combines 191 full price retailers under the same roof as 100 outlet and factory stores. The shopping centre has affiliated ‘Mills’ located in the greater Toronto area (known as Vaughan Mills) and the greater Vancouver area (known as Tsawwassen Mills).

CrossIron Mills location on Google Maps
CrossIron Mills location (between Airdrie and Calgary city limits) on Google Maps. Photo: Google Maps
Aerial photo of CrossIron Mills just north of Calgary, Alberta
Aerial photo of CrossIron Mills just north of Calgary, Alberta. Photo: CrossIron Mills.
CrossIron Mills Mall Map. Photo: CrossIron Mills Website

As with most Canadian retail spaces, CrossIron Mills is an indoor shopping centre which was developed — and is now owned and operated — by Ivanhoé Cambridge. The retail and designated tourist attraction has resulted in 9.4 million annual visits (as of December 2019), $689 sales per square foot (as of December 2019), and $547 million gross sales volume (as of December 2019). The shopping centre sprawls across 1.2 million square feet and boasts 17 large format anchors which includes:

  • Bass Pro Shops (148,911 square feet)
  • Toys “R” Us (51,069 square feet)
  • Sport Chek (38,990 square feet)
  • Bed Bath & Beyond (31,950 square feet)
  • Winners (30,941 square feet)
  • Saks OFF 5TH (30,009 square feet)
  • Pro Hockey Life (25,306 square feet)
  • HomeSense (24,141 square feet)
  • Skechers (20,901 square feet)
  • H&M (20,708 square feet)
  • Indigo Books (20,585 square feet)
  • Designer Shoe Warehouse (20,565 square feet)
  • The Children’s Place (20,536 square feet)
  • Old Navy (20,145 square feet)
  • Tommy Hilfiger Outlet (20,069 square feet)
  • Laura Outlet (20,003 square feet)
  • Urban Planet (20,003 square feet)

History of CrossIron Mills

Vaughan Mills near Toronto, the predecessor and sister shopping centre to CrossIron Mills, was designed and built by Ivanhoé Cambridge and the Mills Corporation in 2004 based on the highly-successful ‘race track’ format for outlet malls in the United States. Mills Corporation was subsequently acquired by Simons Property Group in 2007; however, Ivanhoé Cambridge completed the sale of its interest in Vaughan Mills in October 2006 prior to the acquisition. Ivanhoé Cambridge planned for four Mills shopping centres in Canada, including:

  • Toronto (Vaughan Mills in Vaughan, Ontario which opened in November 2004)
  • Calgary (CrossIron Mills)
  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen Mills in Delta, B.C. which opened in October 2016)
  • Montreal (Laval Mills in Laval, Quebec which was abandoned in May 2011)

Ivanhoé Cambridge continued riding its success from its now wholly-owned Vaughan Mills and began construction of its second Canadian “Mills” in Calgary. CrossIron Mills opened in phases throughout 2009 and its final phase, the Entertainment Neighbourhood, opened in the summer of 2010.

A $60 million major renovation was announced by Ivanhoé Cambridge in 2014 to relocate the original food court (located off the “Happy Trails Entrance” circled in red below) and opened the new food hall in the Entertainment Neighbourhood in July 2016. The original food court location was then converted into 46,000 square feet of additional retail space.

CrossIron Mills Map with Food Court relocation
CrossIron Mills Map with Food Court relocation.

Breaking up CrossIron Mills

Retail Insider has done several retail mall tours and one of the major distinguishing features of a Mills concept centre is the design. With over 1.4 million square feet on a single level, connected by 2.7 km of internal raceway, visual appeal, and architectural variation. The concept was to divide the centre into “Neighbourhoods” that have themes representative of the local area. The architecture of CrossIron Mills is innovative, contemporary, and reflects Alberta’s unique heritage. We will follow the following neighbourhoods in our retail tour:

THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF CROSSIRON MILLS

  • Fashion Neighbourhood – The latest fashion trends at their finest.
  • Ranch Neighbourhood – A salute to Alberta’s rich western history.
  • Resources Neighbourhood – Celebrating Alberta’s resources: oil, wind, agriculture, natural gas ,and more.
  • Fossil Neighbourhood – Recognizing the history of the badlands of Alberta.
  • Sports Neighbourhood – Commemorating Alberta’s athletic accomplishments.
  • Entertainment Neighbourhood – A nod to Alberta’s industrial growth.
CrossIron Mills Map (updated by Retail Insider with relocation of Food Court by Exit 5 in 2016).
CrossIron Mills Map (updated by Retail Insider with relocation of Food Court by Exit 5 in 2016).

In addition to each neighbourhood, there are six ‘courts’ spread amongst the six neighbourhoods with artwork symbolizing different characteristics of the Albertan way of life.

Zone 1 – Fashion Neighbourhood 

Entrance 1 leading to the "Fashion Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
“Gumby Girl” at Entrance 1 leading to the “Fashion Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Pop-up go/Zenergy Communications

The Fashion Entrance is on the far northwest side of the centre and is characterized by what is colloquially known as the ‘Gumby Girl’ outside and leads into the Fashion Neighbourhood which has 12-foot-tall store fronts.

CrossIron Mall Map - Fashi on Neighbourhood
CrossIron Mall Map – Fashion Neighbourhood
Fashion Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch
Fashion Neighbourhood
Fashion Neighbourhood. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Key anchor retail tenants for this neighbourhood include Bass Pro Shops, Sport Chek, Bed Bath & Beyond, Laura, and Saks OFF 5TH The Saks OFF 5th opened in fall 2016 measuring 30,000 square feet.

Bass Pro Shops at CrossIron Mills
Bass Pro Shops at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch
Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th at CrossIron Mills
Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Other select retailers in the neighbourhood include Coach, Oak + Tonic, Tommy Bahama, Brooks Brothers, Michael Kors, Brown’s Outlet, Melanie Lyne, Lacoste Outlet, Kate Spade, Geox, Tip Top, Cleo, Little Burgundy, Fairweather, Naturalizer, La vie en Rose, Lenscrafters, Miniso, The Shoe Company, GNC, Michael Hill, Ben Moss, Lush, Guitarworks, and Mountain Warehouse.

Fine Arts Court – The Fine Arts Court transitions from the Fashion to Ranch neighbourhoods and features geometric shapes, bright colours, stark white abstract sculptures, and a coffee shop with spacious seating area. This area is a nod to Alberta’s trendy art scene.

Fine Arts Court
Fine Arts Court. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Zone 2 – Ranch Neighbourhood

Entrance 2 leading to the "Ranch Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
Entrance 2 leading to the “Ranch Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Ledcor Group
CrossIron Mall Map - Ranch Neighbourhood
CrossIron Mall Map – Ranch Neighbourhood
Ranch Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills
Ranch Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch
Ranch Neighbourhood
Ranch Neighbourhood. Photo: CrossIron Mills

The Ranch Neighbourhood is a nod to the Old West. It is often referred to as the Ranch Spine as it runs through the middle of the centre. The Ranch Neighbourhood boasts 8 different types of hardwood flooring with theatrical western store fronts and huge sheriffs badges in-set in the floor at either end. Also at opposite ends of the Ranch Neighbourhood are the “Good Guy” and “Bad Guy” gunslingers that stand at 23 feet tall, and customers walk beneath them as they enter the space.

The two retail Anchors in the Ranch neighbourhood are Tommy Hilfiger and H&M.

Tommy Hilfiger at CrossIron Mills
Tommy Hilfiger at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch
H&M at CrossIron Mills
H&M at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Select retailers in the Ranch neighbourhood include True Religion Outlet, ECCO shoes, Johnston & Murphy Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, Guess Accessories, TUMI, Call It Spring, Logo Gifts, Nike, Levi’s, and Zumiez.

Washrooms between Purdy's Chocolates and Aveda at CrossIron Mills
Washrooms between Purdy’s Chocolates and Aveda at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Campfire Court – Back to the basics of nature. The Campfire Court is at the west end of the ranch spine and is designed as a night sky with stars, the moon, and embers from the blown glass fire which is surrounded by tall trees and rustic log furniture. The ceiling treatment transitions from this court through the Ranch Neighbourhood, getting lighter and lighter toward the far end where the rodeo court is in full sun.

Additional select retailers in the Ranch neighbourhood include a Lululemon pop-up, TELUS, No Excuses Perfume, Vision Quest, and Saneal Cameras. 

Wind Court
Wind Court. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Wind Court – The Wind Court transitions between the Ranch and Resources Neighbourhoods and is inspired by the Chinook winds that are part of southern Alberta’s culture. Here you find the “Chinook Girl” gently blowing wind across ribbons and banners at the ceiling level to create activity. In this court is a central seating area of wave-shaped benches and if you look up you’ll see several banners with facts and lore about the Chinook winds.
 

Zone 3 – Resources Neighbourhood

Entrance 3 leading to the "Resource Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
Entrance 3 leading to the “Resource Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Travel Alberta
CrossIron Mall Map - Resources Neighbourhood
CrossIron Mall Map – Resources Neighbourhood
Resources Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills
Resources Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Resource Neighbourhood highlights the importance of agriculture, wind and, of course, oil & gas in Alberta. With an enormous stylized oil derrick as the entrance icon, this neighbourhood contains sculptures representing fields of grain, hay-accented store fronts, giant overhead ceiling fans, and an interactive piece of modern art modelled after a working oil rig.

The key retail anchor tenants in the Resources Neighbourhood include The Children’s Place, Indigo, HomeSense, and Winners.

Other retailers include Zumiez, Guess, Disney Outlet, Hot Topic, Milk Run, Below the Belt, Van Heusen Outlet, Discovery Hut, Just Cozy, Ricki’s, Underground, Foundry, Urban Behaviour, Footlocker, Stokes, QE Home, Urban Kids, Lindt, Zwilling J/A/ Henckels, and Clogs for Comfort.

Resources Neighbourhood
Resources Neighbourhood. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Between the Resources Neighbourhood and the Fossils Neighbourhood is a court/play-area where children can turn the wheels and watch the ‘oil’ bubble through the rig.

Zone 4 – Fossils Neighbourhood

Entrance 4 leading to the "Fossil Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
Entrance 4 leading to the “Fossil Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Wolsey Structural Engineering Ltd.
CrossIron Mall Map - Fossils Neighbourhood
CrossIron Mall Map – Fossils Neighbourhood
Fossil Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills
Fossil Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Fossil Neighbourhood was designed as a tribute to the badlands of Alberta. With Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum mere hours away, they deemed it to be an important aspect of Alberta history to incorporate. Natural Cork linoleum represents the strata of earth as you dig for fossils. This area also features two more unique sculptures, the ‘Layers of Time’ statue representing the fossils left behind from various eras, and the ‘CrossIron Caveman’ holding a coffee and shopping bags frozen in a block of ice.

Fossil Neighbourhood
Fossil Neighbourhood with the ‘CrossIron Caveman’. Photo: CrossIron Mills

The main retail anchor tenants for the Fossils neighbourhood included Urban Planet, Sketchers, Toys “R” Us, and DSW Shoes.

DSW at CrossIron Mills
DSW Shoes at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Other select retailers in the Fossils neighbourhood include Scentsitively, Claire’s, EB Games, Aldo, Dynamite, Le Chateau, American Eagle, Portage & Main, Bath & Body Works, GAP Factory, Roots Outlet, Labels, Sunrise Records, Softmoc, Globo, Suzy Shier, Show Warehouse, Ardene Outlet, Bentley, All Pretty Things, Saje, Sparkle, Asics, Polo Talph Lauren, Aritzia, Aerie, Sephora, Garage, and Hugo Boss Outlet.

Rodeo Court at CrossIron Mills
Rodeo Court. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Rodeo Court – Between the four connections where Fossils, Sports, Entertainment, and Ranch Neighbourhoods meet is the Rodeo Court where hard-fought rodeo battles are paid homage. It is bright and airy, depicting many of the rodeo events with 4 metal sculptures of a saddle bronc rider, a roping cowboy, a bull rider, and a steer wrestler. Stylized cowboys look down on the Rodeo Court from their perch on the coral rail above.

Zone 5 – Sports Neighbourhood

Entrance 6 leading to the “Sports Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills
Sports Neighbourhood
Sports Neighbourhood Map at CrossIron Mills

The “Court of Champions” can be found in the Sports Neighbourhood entry court. A suspended ring hangs centre court with stadium seats below, displaying still and broadcast imagery representative of the diversity of Sport. The trophy cases and hanging medals above give interesting facts and recall the pay‐off of the hard-fought competitions of days past. Calgary is known internationally for having hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Sports Neighbourhood
Sports Neighbourhood. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Winter is also represented throughout the Sports Neighbourhood, with a prominent chairlift feature incorporating embossed graphic wood chair slats featuring names and locations of Alberta’s best. The summer sport seating “oasis” area includes a nod to Spruce Meadows and the equestrian world, while the ceiling beyond showcases a tight race, as stylized rowing skulls battle toward the finish.

Sport Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills
Sport Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Sports Neighbourhood hosts three main retail anchors including Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, and Pro Hockey Life.

Victoria's Secret at CrossIron Mills
Victoria’s Secret at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch
Old Navy Outlet at CrossIron Mills
Old Navy Outlet at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Other select retailers in the Sports Neighbourhood include a VANS outlet, The Running Room, Showcase, Puma Outlet, Under Armour, Boathouse, Jack & Jones Outlet, International Clothiers, Jersey City, Torrid, Adidas Outlet, West 49 Outlet, Blue Notes, Sully’s, Bootlegger Outlet, Carter’s Osh Kosh, Journeys, Oksana, RW&CO, Fossil Outlet, Watch Station, La Senza, Exmore, Calvin Klein Outlet, Oakley Vault, Swarovski Outlet, and Sunglass Hut.

Sports Courtyard in Sports Neighbourhood
Sports Courtyard in Sports Neighbourhood. Photo: Jessica Finch.

Wildlife Court – The Wildlife Court transitions from the Sports Neighbourhood to one of the major anchor tenants, Bass Pro Shops, and acknowledges the beauty and natural diversity of Alberta. Along each side of the water you’ll find a clearing where visitors can rest on rustic style furniture, and almost hear the sleeping bear snore. Animal images etched in bronze tiles dot the surrounding floor, artfully displaying different styles to capture their image. Above, rear illuminated transparent blue images of Alberta wildlife represent some of the great diversity that can be found. Flying gracefully above the trees, carved geese sculptures transition from simple forms to detailed representations as they exit the Court towards Bass Pro Shops.

Wildlife Court
The Wildlife Court. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Zone 6 – Entertainment Neighbourhood

Entrance 5 leading to the "Entertainment Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
Entrance 5 leading to the “Entertainment Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Pop-up go | Zenergy Communications
Sports Neighbourhood and Food Court Map
Sports Neighbourhood and Food Court Map at CrossIron Mills
Entertainment Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills
Entertainment Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Entertainment Neighbourhood adds approximately 200,000 square feet of additional retail space and common area which is modelled after a dynamic 1930’s urban area. The state-of-the-art SilverCity entertainment area features more than 1,300 stadium seats and 7 auditoriums with wall-to-wall curved screens and digital surround sound. In addition, guests can enjoy the amenities in the approximately-13,000-square-foot XSCAPE Entertainment Centre which features a variety of the latest games and activities as well as a licensed lounge. Select auditoriums have RealD 3D technology where guests will be able to enjoy a totally immersive 3D experience like no other.

Nestled in with the restaurants and theatres is the main retail anchor, Shoppers Drug Mart.

Shoppers Drug Mart at CrossIron Mills
Shoppers Drug Mart at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Entertainment Neighbourhood is home to the 45,000-square-foot SilverCity entertainment centre, three fully licensed sit-down restaurants; Boston Pizza, Fionn McCool’s, and Milestones.

Food Hall entrance in "Entertainment Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills
Food Hall entrance in “Entertainment Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Pop-up go | Zenergy Communications

The new-and-improved food hall now offers 1,400 seats and 24 restaurants and features a new entrance located on the north side of the property. This access features a 40-foot-high (12-metre) glass vestibule, a curved metal roof, and a glass curtain wall with metal columns and masonry accents. Its strategic location and the food hall’s numerous skylights improve brightness as well as enhance the overall shopping experience at the centre.

We had a very interesting photo walk around CrossIron Mills in Calgary and we hope you enjoyed coming along with us. Don’t forget to check out our other retail photo tours over the past few months. Thank you for taking this tour with us.

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