15 h. ago Here's a first look at the brand new Simons store at Toronto's Yorkdale mall

Canadian department store chain Simons is boldly eschewing the doom-and-gloom narrative that's dominated the shopping mall landscape in the GTA lately, entering a phase of ambitious expansion at a time when competitors like Hudson's Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom (and before them, Sears and Eaton's) no longer exist in the market.The Quebec-based retailer, known as purveyors of stylish choices under both exclusive house labels and well-known designer names, has just officially opened a new location in Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre, with another coming to the CF Eaton Centre this fall.And, we got an early peek at the store on Thursday morning before it launched to the public.Taking over the two-level anchor space formerly held by a Nordstrom, the outpost is the eighteenth store for Simons, and its biggest one outside of Quebec. But if you're expecting anything like the standard department store, or even like any other S...

Other

41 h. ago Hudson’s Bay is now just a numbered company as it continues to sell its assets to repay creditors

The renaming process had to take place since HBC sold its intellectual property to Canadian Tire

Economics

45 h. ago B.C. billionaire wanting Hudson’s Bay leases says landlord concerns are ‘misguided’

TORONTO — A B.C. billionaire who wants to buy some Hudson’s Bay leases says landlord claims that she won’t be able to run a successful business in their spaces are “misguided.” In new court documents filed overnight Wednesday, Ruby Liu says she is prepared to do what is necessary to make her venture successful and […]

Other

67 h. ago Hudson’s Bay changes name to Rupert Legacy after selling IP to Canadian Tire

The name is a reference to Prince Rupert, the Bay's first governor, and Rupert's Land

Economics

3 d. ago First Canadian location of famous Thai iced tea chain is about to open Toronto

A company reputed as "Thailand's number one tea brand" is about to open its first-ever Canadian location in the heart of downtown Toronto.If you've never been to Thailand, or merely don't consider yourself a Thai tea connoisseur, then the name Cha Tra Mue could easily mean nothing to you. For scores of people in Thailand and beyond, though, it stirs up immediate recognition.Founded in 1945, Cha Tra Mue was among the first businesses to serve tea over ice from a small Bangkok tea shop, using teas imported from China.As years went on, Thai milk tea and Thai black tea, always served over ice, became one of the country's most popular beverages, and Cha Tra Mue began sourcing its teas from local growers, processing them at its very own plant, all the while cementing itself as a staple on the Thai tea landscape.Nowadays, 80 years later, the company not only sells tea and tea mixes by the canister — everything from Thai milk tea mix to green t...

Other

3 d. ago First Canadian location of famous Thai iced tea chain is about to open in Toronto

A company reputed as "Thailand's number one tea brand" is about to open its first-ever Canadian location in the heart of downtown Toronto.If you've never been to Thailand, or merely don't consider yourself a Thai tea connoisseur, then the name Cha Tra Mue could easily mean nothing to you. For scores of people in Thailand and beyond, though, it stirs up immediate recognition.Founded in 1945, Cha Tra Mue was among the first businesses to serve tea over ice from a small Bangkok tea shop, using teas imported from China.As years went on, Thai milk tea and Thai black tea, always served over ice, became one of the country's most popular beverages, and Cha Tra Mue began sourcing its teas from local growers, processing them at its very own plant, all the while cementing itself as a staple on the Thai tea landscape.Nowadays, 80 years later, the company not only sells tea and tea mixes by the canister — everything from Thai milk tea mix to green t...

Other

3 d. ago Hudson’s Bay lease sale may negatively impact pension fund: OMERS’ real estate arm

TORONTO — The real estate investment arm of one of the country’s largest pension funds is worried about the value of its assets if a B.C. billionaire is able to buy 25 Hudson’s Bay leases at its properties. In court documents filed over the weekend, Oxford Properties Group argues Ruby Liu would diminish the value […]

Other

5 d. ago Landlords say Ruby Liu’s plan for Bay properties ‘defies commercial common sense’

TORONTO — Several of Canada’s most prominent real estate companies are slamming an attempt from a B.C. billionaire to take over 25 former Hudson’s Bay leases, saying her plan for their spaces “defies commercial common sense” and is “entirely unrealistic.” The landlords, including Cadillac Fairview, Oxford Properties, Ivanhoe Cambridge, KingSett Capital Inc., Morguard Investments Ltd. […]

Other

5 d. ago Landlord says B.C. billionaire’s plan for Bay properties ‘defies commercial common sense’

The mall owner also says Liu, who owns three B.C. shopping centres herself, has no brand, experienced staff or track record in retail.

Other

5 d. ago Landlord says Ruby Liu’s plan for Bay properties ’defies commercial common sense’

TORONTO — Cadillac Fairview says a plan from a B.C. billionaire hoping to take over 25 former Hudson’s Bay leases “defies commercial common sense” and thus, she should not be allowed to move in. In filings made with the Ontario Superior Court on Saturday, Cadillac Fairview says it is “resolutely opposed” to Liu becoming a […]

Other

6 d. ago RioCan pulls financial support for some properties in Hudson’s Bay joint venture

TORONTO — RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust says it’s cutting financial ties to five properties held in its joint venture with the now-defunct Hudson’s Bay as it works to move past the debacle as quickly as possible. “We can report that RioCan has elected not to participate financially in 5 of 12 assets,” said chief […]

Other

6 d. ago RioCan REIT sees profit rise in second quarter despite Hudson’s Bay strife

TORONTO — RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust says it’s cutting financial ties to five properties held in its joint venture with the now-defunct Hudson’s Bay as it works to move past the debacle as quickly as possible. “We can report that RioCan has elected not to participate financially in 5 of 12 assets,” said chief […]

Culture

7 d. ago ‘Not meant to be’: Manitoba Museum reflects as Bay charter heads elsewhere

The Manitoba Museum might have one of the largest collections of Hudson’s Bay artifacts, but its CEO isn’t bitter the defunct retailer’s crown jewel isn’t destined for her institution. There will soon be a new home for the 355-year-old royal charter that birthed the Bay, giving it extraordinary control over a vast swath of unceded […]

Culture

7 d. ago Canadian Tire preparing revival of Hudson’s Bay trademarks for later this year: CEO

TORONTO — Shoppers will get their first peek at what the Hudson’s Bay brand looks like under Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. ownership later this year. Canadian Tire CEO Greg Hicks says his company will release “some updates and fun initiatives” linked to the fallen department store starting in the fourth quarter of this year but […]

Economics

7 d. ago Hudson’s Bay ‘stripes’ could hit Canadian Tire shelves later this year

Retailer plans to take rollout slow, but says Canadians can expect 'fun initiatives' in fourth quarter

Other

7 d. ago Arctic port eyed to ship energy, other commodities to Europe: federal energy minister

'There is an opportunity to make Churchill a far more strategic port'

Politics