Rossdale Centre | 50m | 15s | Five Oaks Inc. | Dub Architects Ltd.

[constance_chlore]

I was a Trader Joe's regular in the States and I wish we had something like that here, but a huge part of the appeal is that it's not noticeably more expensive (and often cheaper) than most regular big-box grocery stores. If a store were to model itself likewise but couldn't offer the same low prices, I'm not sure it could succeed unless it managed to turn itself into a destination. Regardless though, this area needs a grocery store, even if it's just a small corner grocery—but more than a convenience store.

8. a hiring policy that seeks out amiable, fun-loving employees that are trained to have deep knowledge of the store's products.

Obligatory cultural touchstone:

 

[archited]

Very witty and spot on @constance_chlore. I believe that Trader Joe's low prices are enabled by their strident search for locally sourced items. As I have moved around the State of California I have noticed that a large percentage of their stock varies from store to store based on varied local suppliers in specific regions. That would be an important part of the model for Rossdale.

 

[ADob]

I was a Trader Joe's regular in the States and I wish we had something like that here, but a huge part of the appeal is that it's not noticeably more expensive (and often cheaper) than most regular big-box grocery stores. If a store were to model itself likewise but couldn't offer the same low prices, I'm not sure it could succeed unless it managed to turn itself into a destination. Regardless though, this area needs a grocery store, even if it's just a small corner grocery—but more than a convenience store.


Obligatory cultural touchstone:

Having lived in the US twice (never. again.) I have to say I miss TJ's so very very much.

 

[archited]

I am going to collect comments on this site and present them to Trader Joe's along with a written argument suggesting they should consider Edmonton for a Canadian flagship store (or 3).

 

[Gronk!]

I am going to collect comments on this site and present them to Trader Joe's along with a written argument suggesting they should consider Edmonton for a Canadian flagship store (or 3).

Would that be a good idea, given the fact there could be a boycott of American goods and services during the Trump regime?

 

[archited]

^ As I mentioned, Trader Joe's sources locally so it would have nothing to do with cross-border transactions. It is the grocery store business model that is "the bright idea". It could be a Canadian based group that does it, tagging the TJ name, model, and corporate infrastructure. The name is already recognizable so there is that, otherwise it could be "Stinky Jim's" as long as the concept is held intact.

 

[Gronk!]

^ As I mentioned, Trader Joe's sources locally so it would have nothing to do with cross-border transactions. It is the grocery store business model that is "the bright idea". It could be a Canadian based group that does it, tagging the TJ name, model, and corporate infrastructure. The name is already recognizable so there is that, otherwise it could be "Stinky Jim's" as long as the concept is held intact.

How can they be compelled to open their first location in the proposed Rossdale Centre? What's to stop them from opening in Windermere or SEC?

 

[TAS]

How can they be compelled to open their first location in the proposed Rossdale Centre? What's to stop them from opening in Windermere or SEC?

Rent free for 10 years?

 

[IanO]

Anyone going down tonight to share more?

 

[IanO]

Rent free for 10 years?

Rent free in an area that simply could not support it still makes zero sense.

Look to Riverdale for inspiration, not WEM.

 

[archited]

How can they be compelled to open their first location in the proposed Rossdale Centre?

1. By developing appropriate adjacencies -- the Brewery is an excellent start because there would be immediate trade -- TJ's could stock their beers and encourage experimentation (Mead drinks for example), 2. by developing underground, covered, heated parking as part of the development -- TJ's operates like an anchor magnet attracting shoppers from a significant distance (I am happy to drive 45 minutes to a store in Bakersfield as are my neighbors; anyone who has shopped at TJ's will back me up on this). So in Rossdale TJ's would attract the Government Centre crowd, downtown in general and the same kind of people who would drive to WEM. 3. by exclusivity of product -- a you-come-to-us philosophy where they have exclusive products that can't be purchased elsewhere -- TJ's is very adept at sourcing exclusive local products and selling them at a smart price-point, often rebranding them as a Trader Joe's product exclusively.
Trader Joes would definitely not go into an ICE district location or any of the malls. They prefer very unique locations where they are the main attraction. If convinced that Edmonton was a good bet, they would probably plan on same-time 3 locations and I could see the centre-city location in Rossdale as one of the three with another two being Windermere and St. Albert.

 

[cmd uw]

Guys... the shear numbers you need, parking, access makes this a non-starter.

This is the correct response. Not only that, but I know Dub needs capital. So the likelihood of this moving ahead is loooooooow.

 

[archited]

^ Gene Dub has been second-guessed before on almost every project that he has undertaken. I suspect that his cash flow and cash-on-hand is about to take a serious upward bump from the major project that has just been completed and is now leasing. Gene approaches projects from a more atypical stance than most developers who seek common-source financing; he tends to 1. self-finance and 2. break his projects up into trade-sized components that cause his projects to be built over an abnormally long construction time-frame. I think you may be surprised again with this project, assuming its approval by City jurisdictions.

 

[cmd uw]

^ Gene Dub has been second-guessed before on almost every project that he has undertaken. I suspect that his cash flow and cash-on-hand is about to take a serious upward bump from the major project that has just been completed and is now leasing. Gene approaches projects from a more atypical stance than most developers who seek common-source financing; he tends to 1. self-finance and 2. break his projects up into trade-sized components that cause his projects to be built over an abnormally long construction time-frame. I think you may be surprised again with this project, assuming its approval by City jurisdictions.

Actually no....I don't think you do know what you're talking about despite how Gene has operated in the past.

 

[David A]

^ As I mentioned, Trader Joe's sources locally so it would have nothing to do with cross-border transactions. It is the grocery store business model that is "the bright idea". It could be a Canadian based group that does it, tagging the TJ name, model, and corporate infrastructure. The name is already recognizable so there is that, otherwise it could be "Stinky Jim's" as long as the concept is held intact.

It is probably a lot harder to source local produce in December here than in California, but the concept has merit especially with the current situation.

Unfortunately, the default Edmonton response is generally to build these things in a suburban strip mall location first, we often don't have the confidence or think like a real city.

I hope we'll grow up and become more mature and realize that is not the best approach. Perhaps as more people move here from other places.