VIBRANT KENSINGTON STILL EVOLVING NICELY
Closings offer next generation of businesses good opportunities,
While the closing of Kensington’s high-profile Starbucks (Calgary’s first) and the “for lease” sign at Julio’s Barrio restaurant was shocking to the public, professionals realize it is part of the natural evolution of retail and restaurants.
Kensington has had a strong local café culture for decades — and still does — with such longtime cafés as Higher Ground, the Roasterie and Second Cup. In fact, the old Jugo Juice space’s new tenant is a coffee shop, Good Trade Co. I am betting the Starbucks space won’t remain empty for long.
The same could be said for Julio’s Barrio, as Kensington has had a very strong cuisine culture for a long time. Most restaurants have a best-before date of about seven years, so Julio’s, which opened 15 years ago, has had a good run. Ironically, rumour has it a well-known Mexican restaurant group will be opening under Hexagon Board Game Cafe.
The Julio’s space would be the ideal location for a craft brewery or distillery, which are very popular today. Kensington will soon be home to the Free House, Local Beer and Food Hall in the old Prohibition location. In Gear left Kensington last year, but has moved back to a new location across from Kensington Pub, and the New Forest pet supplies store just relocated from 4th Street S.W. to Kensington. They come and they go.
As for the closing of Livingstone Cavell Extraordinary Toys and James & Dickson Clothiers, they are cases of proprietors retiring. It is very common for specialized retailers not to be able to sell their businesses at retirement, as their success was largely based on the goodwill developed by the owners, something that can’t be sold.
While some might see these closures as a red flag that Kensington is hurting, in reality, they represent good opportunities for the next generation of businesses. Healthy urban neighbourhoods are always adapting to new economic realities and market demands.
Annie Macinnis, executive director of the Kensington Business Improvement Area, notes,
“Four new stores have opened since January 2019 and six more are pending.”
She acknowledges tax increases are hurting Kensington businesses, yet is cautiously optimistic going into 2020, as there is lots of interest from new businesses to locate in the community.
Her opinion is supported by Colliers International. In its Calgary Retail Report (Spring 2019), it said, “Kensington is always near the top of the list for retailers looking for a street front location in Calgary.”
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
One reason for the optimism is the continued growth in residential development in Kensington. The Memorial Drive project by Anthem is nearing completion and will add 93 new homes. While there was significant controversy about this project, as it meant the loss of 13 early 20th-century homes and some of the charm and character of the neighbourhood, the new building has a timeless quality with its use of red brick and sidewalk-oriented homes. It is not one of those wild, weird and wacky buildings that are in vogue today, but tacky tomorrow.
Currently under construction, too, is the Annex by Minto Group, a nine-storey, Nyhoff Architecture-designed condo on 9A Street just a Frisbee throw from the Sunnyside LRT Station, Safeway and Sunnyside Natural Market — the walk score has to be close to 100. The gem of this development is the large rooftop patio with garden, barbecues, dog run and spectacular view of the downtown skyline. It will add 104 new homes to the community.
Just starting construction is Victoria on the Park, a six-storey, 90-unit project on the north side of 5th Avenue with Riley Park as its backyard. Designed by Casola Koppe Architects and developed by Spray Group and Hive Developments, it has a modern look with a facade that combines light grey brick and white metal siding that will continue the evolution of 5th Avenue N.W. into an attractive 21st century mid-rise urban street.
Next up will be the Theodore, by Graywood Developments, a 10-storey development with 114 new homes currently being marketed. Designed by IBI group, it will become a funky new gateway to the community from the north, given its prominent site at the corner of 10th Street and Gladstone Road N.W. It, too, will have a walk score near 100, as it is just a hop, skip and a jump from an LRT station, grocers and Riley Park.
Another new development is the three-storey Eisenberg project designed by the Calgary office of NORR Architects, which is nearing completion at 140 10th St. N.W. The ground floor will be the new home of RBC, formerly located where the Theodore will be built, with office space above. Its huge glass-front facade will add a contemporary architectural element that will be a nice juxtaposition with the nearby older buildings. Mixing old with new is a good thing!
Since the Hillhurst-sunnyside Area Redevelopment plan was approved 10 years ago, 2,000 new residents have moved to Hillhurst/sunnyside — Kensington Village. With the anticipated
500 new residents these three projects will bring to the neighbourhood, Kensington’s evolution as one of Calgary’s most vibrant urban villages is sure to continue.
STREET FUN …
Perhaps one of the best indicators that Kensington Village is indeed healthy was its participation in this year’s PARK(ING) Day on Sept. 20. It meant 19 parking spots on Kensington Road were converted into funky “people places.” These interactive installations included one that looked like Alice in Wonderland, another like a 1970s rumpus room and yet another like walking into a huge paint-by-number painting.
Kensington also has an active mural program, which means murals can be found in back alleys, side alleys and on the sides of buildings. And there are plans for a very festive Christmas this year with a strolling Santa, free horse and wagon rides, more lights on the trees and a huge Christmas tree on the plaza.
LAST WORD
The closing of a Starbucks, Julio’s Barrio, Livingstone Cavell Extraordinary Toys and James & Dickson Clothiers does not signify pending doom. Healthy neighbourhoods are never static, which means retailers, restaurateurs and residents are always coming and going.