Fairview Mall adjusting to tenant losses
Survey, renovations, negotiations all working toward filing spaces
Fairview Mall has been a part of the St. Catharines community since 1961, and the sales outlet isn’t going anywhere even after the loss of a couple major tenants, says its operations vicepresident.
“We’re fully committed to (the mall) and encouraged by what we’ll be bringing to the community in the next couple years,” said J.J. Shier of First Capital Realty, the property owner.
“Fairview Mall is always going to be there and it’s always going to be retail.”
Last summer Walmart left its space at the mall and shifted to The Pen Centre, and Ikea closed its doors this past January — leaving the southwest end of the property heavily unoccupied.
“Walmart wanted to expand because they wanted to add the food component,” Shier said, adding that due to space requirements and certain leases at the mall such an expansion wasn’t possible.
“That was ultimately why Walmart decided to leave the centre because we couldn’t accommodate their expansion.”
Ikea’s departure was because its St. Catharines pickup-point store was one of five locations in Ontario that were part of a pilot project the company decided to discontinue.
What will happen with the two vacant spots is still up for discussion, however, Shier did provide some detail.
Staples (10 YMCA Dr.), which currently occupies space to the northwest of the centre, will be moving directly into the mall, taking up a portion of where Walmart used to be. The move is expected to take effect in spring 2021 and is part of Staples’ own interior rebranding, said Shier.
The space Staples will be leaving does have a new tenant in place, but Shier said it could not yet be disclosed publicly.
What will happen with the remaining area of the former Walmart box is still in the negotiation stage and is still to be seen if the space will be taken up by one tenant or split between two.
The leasing possibilities for the Ikea box are still unknown.
“It’s just moving the chess pieces around to better merchandise the centre to better serve the community,” he said.
For the year 2020, Shier said First Capital is working on renovation plans that will improve the parking area including additional space and improve access to the site. The exterior façade of the old Walmart and Ikea space will be revitalized to make it more attractive.
“There’s a big investment for us in Fairview Mall,” said Shier. “We’re dedicated to that site and we believe it’s a great site.”
First Capital is also planning to engage with the community through social media to find out what St. Catharines residents would like to see at Fairview Mall.
A survey is expected to target people living in the surrounding area to find out what they want out of the mall and if there is a specific use people would like to see.
Shier used the example that if residents want a fitness centre, First Capital will look to fill the space with such a retailer.
“Hopefully we’ll bring (the community) a better product,” said Shier. “It’s an opportunity for us to retool and re-merchandise.”
First Capital is communicating with the other tenants at the mall regarding the changes and future renovations.
“I think the tenants are happy with what we’re doing and are happy with the future.”
The exterior parking and facade renovations are expected to begin and finish this year, and First Capital is hopeful it will have all new tenants moved in by spring 2021.