Liquor Depot Stores Continue to Target 20 - 30 Locations per Year; Acquires Brown Jug

To date, Liquor Stores GP Inc. has opened approximately 11 new or acquired locations under the following banners: Liquor Depot, Liquor Barn, OK Liquor and Grapes & Grains, says C.E.O. Irving Kipnes.

Generally, by way of acquisitions or new locations its expansion plan is to open 20 - 30 sites per year, which will also apply in 2009.

Currently, there are approximately 205 sites and by year’s end 230 locations should be up and running.

Liquor Stores GP recently acquired Anchorage, Alaska-based Brown Jug, which is under contract subject to due diligence and licensing. By the end of the year, Brown Jug’s 19 existing locations should officially be a Liquor Store banner.

Locations typically range from 3,000 sq. ft. - 4,000 sq. ft. in grocery-anchored shopping centres.

According to the Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) report accessed on the company website, sales for the second quarter of 2008 saw a 46% increase from the same period last year. Sales climbed to $121.6 million compared to $83.2 million the same time last year.

Jewellery Operator Aims for 2 Sites in 2009; Targets Montreal’s Shopping Centres

Diamonds Venice currently has a site under construction in Repentigny, Que. slated to open October 15, says Jacques Harvey of Dimensions Service Immobiliers.

This site will feature a new design and upper scale merchandise.

Diamonds Venice in conjunction with its sister banner, Bijouterie Venice, is aiming to open two new locations in 2009.

Shopping centres in the Montreal area are targeted.

Units typically average 600 sq. ft.

Sales for these banners combined average $1,000 per sq. ft.

SandwichBox Opens First Food Court Unit; Targets Six Locations in 2009; Streets & High-Density Food Courts

SandwichBox recently opened its first food court location the first week in September at the Royal Bank Plaza in Toronto’s financial district, says Steven Alikakos of DTZ Barnicke.

A second site is slated to open later this fall in the PATH below the buildings at University Ave. and King St. W.

Lastly, another streetfront location will open at 388 Richmond St. W., near Spadina, this November.

Additional opportunities will be looked at in the Toronto area with ongoing discussions for sites in the financial district.

Alikakos notes SandwichBox is on track to open six stores in 2009 and ten in 2010.

Streetfronts range from 500 sq. ft. - 800 sq. ft. Food courts are typically 350 sq. ft. - 450 sq. ft.

Beyond 2009, expansion in B.C. is a possibility.

MEDIchair Aims for 4 - 5 Locations per Year; Focuses Growth in Southwestern ON’s Secondary Strip Malls

MEDIchair, a home medical equipment establishment, typically aims to open four to five locations per year, says C.E.O. Bas van Lankvelt.

For 2008, MEDIchair opened approximately five locations, the majority in Ontario and one in B.C.

Southwestern Ontario is targeted for future growth.

“There’s still opportunities in the GTA and a few select markets in northern Ontario,” says van Lankvelt.

Sites generally range from 4,000 sq. ft. – 5,000 sq. ft. in secondary strip malls.
Considering its clientele, ample parking and easy access are key.

Although leases are typically negotiated via the franchisee, five years is the most common span.

MEDIchair positions itself as North America’s largest and fastest growing home medical equipment (HME) franchise company with 67 stores coast-to-coast.

MEDIchair stores carry an extensive line of HME products including wheelchairs, scooters, lift chairs, bathroom safety products and home accessibility solutions, to name a few.

Jupiter in Aggressive Mode Eyeing Nationwide Opportunities; Targets Streetfront Locations

Jupiter Cannibis Shop, a retailer specializing in cannibis related products, recently opened a relocated site from Queen St. W. and Bathurst St. in Toronto to Queen St. and Spadina Ave. on August 22.

This third location is a fraction of what owner Tom Doran envisions will eventually be a nationwide operator.

For future growth, Jupiter is aiming to secure license vendors and have them open locations in the following cities: Yellowknife, N.T.; Whitehorse, Yuk.; Vancouver; Victoria, B.C.; , Lloydminster, Alta.; Grand Prairie, Alta.; Red Deer, Alta.; Calgary; Fort McMurray, Alta.; Regina, Sask.; Prince Albert, Sask.; Brandon, Man.; Winnipeg; Montreal; Quebec City; and all major Atlantic Canada markets including Halifax, Fredericton, St. John’s, and Charlottetown.

Locations range from 800 sq. ft. - 1,200 sq. ft.

Streetfronts or main levels of shopping centres are targeted. Jupiter abstains from operating in second floors or basements. Ideally, sites are situated in and around (a few) national retailers.

On average, Jupiter sales for all three existing locations have increased 15 - 30%.

Although contingent upon location, monthly rent rates are in the $25 - 30/sq. ft. range.

Other Jupiter locations include a flagship store in Edmonton and a licensee vendor site in Saskatoon. Locations sell cannibis related products such as vaporizers, incense and pipes, targeting the 18 - 35 demographic.

Seafood Operator Vies for Burlington, ON Location; Freestanding or Prominent End-Cap Wanted

Lucy’s Seafood Kitchen is scouring the southwestern Ontario city of Burlington for a location, says Bob Wheeler of Wheeler & Associates.

Oakville and possibly Richmond Hill are also targeted, all which are aimed for 2009 openings.

Freestanding or prominent end-caps with a patio are required.

Locations in and around 6,000 sq. ft. with ample parking, good signage and visibility are key.

Lucy’s Seafood Kitchen has three existing locations, two in Mississauga and one in Waterloo, Ont., serving quality dishes geared to seafood lovers. Ten year leases with two five year options are preferred.

Mandarin Targets Oakville, Richmond Hill & T.O.; Prominent End-Cap or Freestanding Required

Popular Ontario Chinese buffet operator Mandarin will open its 20th location at the end of September in the Markham, Ont. community of Boxgrove.

In addition, another site will open this November in Niagara Falls.

Moving forward, the company’s next goal is to open three sites in 2009 targeting: Oakville, west of Trafalgar Rd.; Richmond Hill, ideally situated on Yonge St. north of Major Mackenzie Dr. and/or Hillcrest Mall; and north Toronto in and around the Hwy. 401 area from Dufferin to Bathurst Sts. across to Yonge St.

Downtown Toronto’s entertainment district around Front St. or the Air Canada Centre is also a possibility.

On average, sites are 15,000 sq. ft. as a freestanding pad or prominent end-cap. Ample parking a must.

Minimum leases of ten years with two five year options are wanted. Fifteen year terms will also be considered.

Mandarin’s performance continues to show postive results, “The concept continues to do tremendously well. Each operation performs better than the last,” says Wheeler.

Chop Crazy Aims for 3 - 5 Sites in 2009; Targets GMA; Super Regional Malls & Mixed-Use

Chop Crazy, a food operator specializing in customized salads, will open a 225 sq. ft. unit at Gare Centrale in Montreal mid-November, taking this healthy fast food guru to six locations.

This deal, which was facilitated by Think Retail, will be adjacent to Super Frite.
Moving forward, Chop Crazy will aim for three to five additional locations in 2009, targeting the Greater Montreal area.

Units ranging from 200 sq. ft. - 300 sq. ft. in super regional malls and downtown mixed-use office buildings are required.

Super Frite Eyes Quebec’s Food Courts; Targets Regional Shopping Centres

Quebec-based Super Frite will open a new 350 sq. ft. location, adjacent to Chop Crazy, at Gare Centrale in Montreal mid-November, says Think Retail’s president, Tony Flanz.

This opportunity-driven operator will look at Quebec’s food courts in major regional shopping centres, which typically average 400 sq. ft.

Super Frite has garnered a reputation for its fries and poutine.

Furniture & Accessory Operator Considers Eastern Greater GTA Location; Shopping Centres Wanted

In the next 12 – 18 months, Cozy Living will consider opening a second location, says owner Alnoor Lalji.

Eastern GTA markets such as Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa are wanted.

Sites require +8,000 sq. ft. in regional shopping centres.

Cozy Living sells furniture and home decor.

Clara’s Fashions Considers 2nd Vancouver Location

In the next 12 – 18 months, Clara’s Fashions will consider a second location in Vancouver, says co-owner Clara Yuen.

Shopping centres or streetfronts in the 1,000 sq. ft. range are targeted.

Quality Menswear Buckler Opens First Canadian Location; High-Profile Streetfronts Targeted

Buckler, a menswear retailer fusing American classics with a British edge, recently opened its first Canadian location in the trendy Queen St. W. area.

Moving forward, Buckler is always interested in exploring new retail possibilities as they present themselves.

Expansion of the brand in Canada is part of Buckler’s long-term goals. Since the boutique’s opening in mid-July, the company has been very pleased with the response from Canadian consumers and are interested in making the line more widely available through other retail stores.

Specific markets of interest for new locations in the future include Montreal and Vancouver.

Square footage requirements are contingent upon location. The Toronto store is 1,200 sq. ft. and there is no official template.

Buckler targets trendy and high-profile streetfronts. This urban influenced brand prefers to have a presence within the urban core of whichever city it operates in.  Ultimately, its goal is to have an interesting space suitable for the brand.

TAKE NOTE

Please note last week’s Dollar Giant article should have written its 2009 expansion goal of 40 additional stores. Leasing inquiries are to be directed to Dan Clark of Sitings Realty, (604) 628-2577; E-mail: [email protected]

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The ICSC is hosting the Montreal Next Generation Program and Reception taking place on Thursday, September 25 at Newtown Restaurant in Montreal. Guest speaker Jean Laramée, senior vice-president (eastern region) of Ivanhoe Cambridge, will address the challenges associated with the current economic slowdown. Join roundtable speakers Patrick Assalian of the Marie Claire Group, Pierre Gaudreau of Sobeys, Yves Maurais of Intercom Services Immobiliers and Marcel Toupin of Societe de Gestion Cogir.
Register now by logging onto:
http://www.icsc.org/apps/meeting_display.php?meeting=2008N78&region_name=