Connect Centre | 56.3m | 16s | ONE Properties | DIALOG

[IanO]

Really curious to see the reaction/uptake of this spot.

 

[Greenspace]

^It will take time and some marketing.

 

[barhonda]

Much needed amenity for the area. Hopefully with the increase in foot traffic to/from the grocery store, it will make the streets in that area a safer place.

 

[BASE]

Will need to be creative for sure. Won't be a lot of the big full shopping cart grocery runs I would assume.

Some areas I see to focus on:

* Lunchtime prepared food for downtown crowd
* Find a way to get people working nearby to grab their post work groceries before heading home
* Good cafe and cakes area like the brewery district location
* Good platters and items that work good for office/event functions

 

[Greenspace]

^The cafe at Loblaws Brewery District closed so if there's one here hopefully it does well.

 

[Glenco]

^The cafe at Loblaws Brewery District closed so if there's one here hopefully it does well.

The coffee was terrible no one seemed to know what they were doing.

 

[IanO]

What Sobeys 104 did wrong:

-Assumed that if you live Downtown you are wealthy
-Assumed that 5 red seal chefs were required
-Wasted a lot of space
-Didn't nail the basics that everyone needs
-More room for lobsters than ground beef

Here's hoping this one has done its research.

 

[archited]

^^^^ Sounds like walmart-level research.

 

[David A]

What Sobeys 104 did wrong:

-Assumed that if you live Downtown you are wealthy
-Assumed that 5 red seal chefs were required
-Wasted a lot of space
-Didn't nail the basics that everyone needs
-More room for lobsters than ground beef

Here's hoping this one has done its research.

In the end, they closed after a 7-11 opened across the street. If you sell groceries and you are not price competitive with a convenience store, something is very wrong.

Of course to add to the mix, at that time Sobey's had also just taken over Safeway and was in a great deal of turmoil. They weren't managing anything well.

 

[JNO1]

Entrance to the Brewhouse from the lobby of Connect Center.

Posts for what I am guessing will be a patio. Also some art work.

 

[MacLac]

Are those glass dividers being installed for a patio?

 

[Edmcowboy11]

Are those glass dividers being installed for a patio?

I was there today too, and it sure looks like it.

 

[JNO1]

^that’s my guess.

 

[mcr]

Entrance to the Brewhouse from the lobby of Connect Center.
View attachment 431001

Really, really hope they have an entrance onto the plaza too. I hate that the Oilers store doesn't. Quit driving people indoors exclusively

 

[David A]

I get that a retail store which sells popular and some expensive items may not want to make exiting too easy. There is a problem with people dashing out without paying, not just downtown, but it is a problem downtown.

If you are selling food and beverages to be consumed on site, I don't see that applies as much, so it would be nice if they at least have an entrance to the plaza.