[twitchyzero]

VANCOUVER - High rent and an increased trend in online sales have forced music retailer HMV Canada to close the doors of its flagship store at Burrard and Robson this January, the company announced Thursday.

Read more: HMV to close flagship downtown Vancouver store (http://www.vancouversun.com/business/close+flagship+downtown+Vancouver+store/5651783/story.html#ixzz1cneZb5hB)


even though i saw this coming and i dont shop there much at all...this is a little sad.

i've always had good experience with their staff even though their prices are far from being competitive...and they have the odd movie that amazon/futureshop/bestbuy doesn't carry.

wonder who's gonna take up this space?

[vafanculo]

If you'd ask me I thought they closed along time ago... Haven't been DT in ages

Edit

I rmbr going there in grade 7 when it was Virgins and playing GTA on the pc they had set up there. Kicked out many times.
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[dealt]

perfect place for Cheesecake Factory ;)

[twitchyzero]

Playdium? :troll:
nah Rainforest Cafe :fullofwin:

[rageguy]

It's totally going to be a Microsoft Store.

[SkinnyPupp]

It was awesome when it was Virgin Megastore, but HMV... Just a music store who cares?

I buy all my music, and in the last 3 years I have only bought it on physical media TWICE.

[TOS'd]

On the radio they said something about an apple store and then joking about how theres the pc one like 2 blocks away. Not sure if they were serious or just making a joke cause i just heard the tail end of it

[SkinnyPupp]

I'd bet money that it will become an Apple flagship store. There couldn't be a more perfect spot for one.

[shawnly1000]

Ya the Apple flagship store rumor has been floated around for a while.

"International retailers interested in HMV space
Friday, 04 November 2011 09:13

Morguard Investments Ltd. is speaking with more than one international fashion retailer about leasing 42,000-square-feet of space at the corner of Robson and Burrard streets, where HMV Canada has operated since 2005.

HMV announced yesterday it plans to close its store in the 140,000-square-foot heritage building in January.

Morguard, which handles leasing on behalf of the building’s owner, Healthcare Of Ontario Pension Plan, has been in talks with HMV about staying past January on a month-to-month basis at a reduced rate.

“The whole retail mix there is going to change,” Morguard retail asset manager Bob Nicholson told Business in Vancouver after HMV’s announcement.

“Off the Wall, once their lease expires in the middle of next year, has advised us that they’re going to be leaving.”

CTV, which leases 80,000-square-feet of space on four floors, also intends to downsize. CTV is expected to lease two floors, with an option for a third floor, when its lease expires in August 2012, Nicholson said.

The only other tenant in the building is Bang-On T-shirts, which has a 1,000-square-foot Robson Street store.

“It’s safe to say that the tenants we are speaking with are international fashion retailers,” Nicholson said.

Glen Korstrom
@GlenKorstrom
gkorstrom@biv.com"

[Gh0stRider]

richmond ctr hmv closing too

[qoopoo]

Uniqlo please.

[Energy]

Topman/topshop please.

[skyxx]

Apparently they're doing some massive sale at the downtown location this weekend. If it's true might pick upa bunch of CD's and Movies(Blu-Ray)!!!

[1exotic]

2012?

[q0192837465]

can't say we don't see this coming.

[StylinRed]

odd that hmv and blockbuster are still doing well in the UK but disappeared here


dont care about HMV not going to miss it like i did SAMs

[Mr.HappySilp]

hmm maybe they should open a target there or Macys?

[StylinRed]

macys? :crazy2: are they even in canada?

target would make sense since they're taking over

[JqC]

hmm maybe they should open a target there or Macys?

:seriously:

[Tim Budong]

Target or Macys in the DT core, hell no
Robson/Burrard is the HEART of downtown. That spot is golden.
HMV wasn't going to survive long. The ONLY physical media I buy are blurays and usually FutureShop/BestBuy is cheaper to begin with already.

I will admit, that the HMV in the DT core has the LARGEST collection of obscure things.

I can see Apple going in there, I have read that the future telus building will house a 2 story apple store on ground level

I can see the space being divided up into smaller spaces.

I would love to see Uniqlo there, sadly, that isnt going to happen

The HMV space isnt big enough for a big box department store unless CTV completely leaves that location, which isn't going to happen.

[1exotic]

I think HKS should open up a store there.

Sell exhaust, turbo, etc.

[TRDood]

Could have been a Forever 21 there if they didn't take down the plaza behind aldo.

H&M maybe?

I see that Apple would want that space but the article says fashion retailer.
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[MG1]

odd that hmv and blockbuster are still doing well in the UK but disappeared here


dont care about HMV not going to miss it like i did SAMs

I cried a little when Kelly's closed down in the 80's. Then Sam the Record Man, then A&B Sound. HMV, meh.

Looking forward to the Apple Store, though.

I still have my 45's and LP's.......... nothing like listening to CCR on vinyl.

[JF.]

lol got a feeling its gonna be another apple store.

[Majestic12]

Maybe Victoria's Secret.
There's stores all over Calgary and Edmonton now, and a bunch in Ontario, so maybe they'll look further out west.

[SkinnyPupp]

lol got a feeling its gonna be another apple store.
Btw if it's going to be an apple store, it won't be "another" one. It would be a flagship store, with a Telly elaborate design outside. (but inside, it'll look like every other - a bunch of Ikea table with computer stuff on them)

[Simulated]

not surprised at all. i used to shop there when it was virgin megastore and they carried EDM vinyls. anyone remember when tiesto was playing downstairs before his commodore show in 2001 and only 20 people came to see him?

[buddy]

Niketown

[Tim Budong]

Niketown

separate into smaller stores
so maybe we can attract some cool shit
haha

like victoria's secret
or Uniqlo

[donjalapeno]

that's a great piece of land......would be perfect for any business.

[Lowered_Klass]

It was never the same when they switched from Virgin to HMV. Still a must to pop in when you're downtown.

Guess we'll have to keep watch, in hopes that they firesale all their inventory before they close down. Good excuse to fill out the music collection a bit more :)

[LiquidTurbo]

If its an apple store than that's funny. iTunes and piracy probably put them out of business.
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[skyxx]

Quoted from wiki
In June 2011, HMV sold its Canadian stores for £2 million to Hilco UK, a firm specializing in failing retail stores.

Source: HMV Group - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMV_Group#USA_.26_Canada)

Article on the sale of HMV Canada shops (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/8600295/HMV-confirms-sale-of-stores-in-Canada-for-2m.html)

[static]

Target seems far-fetched to me, unless you guys are talking about a different chain than that down in the states. Target is for cheap crap and as such usually is located in Walmart type areas. A far cry from Robson street.

[JF.]

How many floors does that place have again? 3??
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[stuff99]

Any good deals there?
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[hirevtuner]

funny no one mentioned a Starbucks hahaha

[Ronin]

UNIQLO :sweetjesus:

Please open a store here, Uniqlo...I can't imagine a better store to have there other than maybe Muji.

Yes, I think an Apple Store at that location would be awesome as well but I'd never go there. It's not like Apple Stores have different inventory and I have one way closer to where I live already. However, Apple Stores are just architecturally spectacular (even if they all look the same) and with primetime location like that, they'd do something special, I'm sure. That corner would instantly become a landmark and attract bigger business nearby.

BUT STILL...Uniqlo please.

[buddy]

my second choice ..

Abercrombie & Fitch

[jackmeister]

Daiso :troll:

[dachinesedude]

i have a feeling its gonna be apple also, that building is waiting to have a giant apple logo stamped on it

[twitchyzero]

in the article it says rent is approx $60-80/sqft

that means rent is at least $3M?

i know nothing about downtown storefront lease but it's mindblowing how they lasted this long from cd/dvd sales

[noTirl]

could be a Nordstrom? i think i heard before that they wanted to open one up here

[dignatas]

why do we need nordstrom when we have holts. RS group buy and open a shop? :troll:

[StylinRed]

speaking of Victoria's Secret






Victoria's Secret Holiday 2011 Angels TV Commercial (Extended Cut) - YouTube

Victoria's Secret: Behind the Scenes Holiday 2011 - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rawKFHUBPQQ

:fullofwin:
:sweetjesus:

[murmur]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_poImJ3NuxAs/S6pwtUjhTRI/AAAAAAAAAbU/5ep-AouOv7o/s1600/selfridges.jpg

[HOTSHOTKEN]

do ppl remember that before Virgin, it was the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library?

[shenmecar]

if i had to guess, it'll be another two floors of Forever 21. Don't think theres one in DT yet..

[Alphamale]

CHB is expanding.

/thread

[MG1]

do ppl remember that before Virgin, it was the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library?

Yup, used to study there. Used to walk across the old Georgia Viaduct from DTES to spend an hour or so at Benny Lee stamps before heading over to the Library.

Speaking of Georgia Viaduct, you guys ever hear of Hogan's Alley? A neighbourhood that was inhabited by the African community that was bulldozed to make way for the existing Georgia Viaduct.

[ae101]

im quite sad in a way cuz i use to buy stuff there when i was working near there (like movies & stuff like that) but after that i just started watching them online

really like want uniqlo (like it will ever happen), there heat tech jackets are like super warm & light as well

[tonyzoomzoom]

Lego store :D

[palepilsenpin0y]

Make that place a motherfucking Krispy Kreme please

[StylinRed]

Target seems far-fetched to me, unless you guys are talking about a different chain than that down in the states. Target is for cheap crap and as such usually is located in Walmart type areas. A far cry from Robson street.

targets main gimmick is that they get designers to make cheap lines for their stores

they've developed a name of being poshy-cheap

but i wouldnt be surprised if they did take that spot, considering they're planning on 150 stores in Canada by 2013

it seems like the perfect spot to promote themselves

[StylinRed]

they're only closing 5 stores in Canada even though they "sold" the rest

the Robson/Richmond store will close by January and until then the sales have started yesterday (saturday) 20-50% off

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Music+retailer+close+stores+January/5656683/story.html


oh and a analyst expects the location to be split into smaller parcels

[ajei]

targets main gimmick is that they get designers to make cheap lines for their stores

they've developed a name of being poshy-cheap

but i wouldnt be surprised if they did take that spot, considering they're planning on 150 stores in Canada by 2013

it seems like the perfect spot to promote themselves
i don't even think its "poshy-cheap" the store's vibe is in-line with zellers, not even a walmart...would give vancouver a really cheap image if it went in there.

[nabs]

It's like Virgin Megastore closing all over again :(

[iamon]

went there last night after having dinner downtown, the markdowns were nothing special, most things were 10% off regular price so it wasn't cheap or anything

[Chronix]

TNT please


:troll:

[twitchyzero]

went there last night after having dinner downtown, the markdowns were nothing special, most things were 10% off regular price so it wasn't cheap or anything

:seriously: okay now i dont feel bad at all for them

[Simulated]

the only thing i found that was good was the 2010 olympic hockey games in blu-ray for $10.

[Culverin]

Cheesecake Factory
Krispy Kreme
Jack in the box.


Put those 3 in there, and that little corner will be golden. Forever.

[shawn79]

open a SOGO

[twitchyzero]

the only thing i found that was good was the 2010 olympic hockey games in blu-ray for $10.

they had that since a month ago

fry's electronics with US pricing to dent the nearby futureshop's business, if not five guys burger & in-n-out please
:fullofwin:

[kluk]

nothing really worth making the trip for.

[TheKingdom2000]

Anyone have an approximate cost for rent there?
I would say at least $20-30G's a month?

[Ronin]

Anyone have an approximate cost for rent there?
I would say at least $20-30G's a month?

What...you mean pretty much the highest profile retail space in Vancouver?

:seriously: $20-30G? That probably just scratches the surface.

[StylinRed]

20-30gs is probably the electricity bill :D

rent is probably $125,000 considering articles are saying rent is probably 20-30$ a square foot and its a 50,000 square foot property...



i don't even think its "poshy-cheap" the store's vibe is in-line with zellers, not even a walmart...would give vancouver a really cheap image if it went in there.

last time i was in a target was like 15years ago ish and i thought it was worse than a zellers; but i was watching a show doing a business profile on Target and poshy-cheap seems how its marketed these days and the stores they showed + the designer lines gave off that impression

[Gumby]

Lego store :D
Haha I wouldn't mind it... :D

I have reason to believe that the Apple flagship store is looking to open at the corner of Robson & Granville.

[Hehe]

IMO, only clothing retailers (F21, Uniqlo) or perhaps Apple is capable of pulling enough sales to justify the rent. I'd estimate the rent to be around 2~3M a year.

[!Yaminashi]

Cheesecake Factory


Yesss :sweetjesus:

Not like it would happen though :okay:

[gars]

IMO, only clothing retailers (F21, Uniqlo) or perhaps Apple is capable of pulling enough sales to justify the rent. I'd estimate the rent to be around 2~3M a year.

Rent along robson is going for about $240 a sq ft. The article estimates that HMV is going for about $60-80 a sq ft, making it around 3-4mil a year.

[bartone]

Cost of rent is about 2mill a year. I would know cause I work there. Basically we ate closing cause the lease is up and the past few years we were losing money on the rent
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[murd0c]

Just think about the club they could put in there.....

[twitchyzero]

$150k+/mo rent...no biggie:fuckyea:

[Kilinim]

Just stopped in. Fairly decent selection and price of dvd's. Picked up 4 for $22.
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[SkinnyPupp]

They still make DVDs? :fuckthatshit:

[dink]

bought a few movies, lots for you to choose from.

[ae101]

perfect spot for a porn shop ::fuckyea:

[Gridlock]

perfect spot for a porn shop ::fuckyea:

At 2 million a year in rent, that's a lot of pussy to peddle before you start making money. LOL. :fappery:

[murd0c]

perfect spot for a porn shop ::fuckyea:

they should move #5 there :fuckyea:

[drunkrussian]

i just hope its not another apple store fuuu
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[jaemc]

I'm waiting for them to discount the comics alil bit more, then I'ma probs raid the whole batman collection.

[blum2001]

Picked up a Hockey 2010 Olympic Bluray box set for $10. Regular $30. Can't go wrong for $10

[sonick]

They should leave all the shelves and furniture in and make it into an indoor paintball arena.

:fuckyea:

[nabs]

they are closing the RC store too, apparently they are closing those two stores due to high lease rates and opening 4 stores in other locations according to the store manager.

[Gtrr33]

Yesss :sweetjesus:

Not like it would happen though :okay:

:thumbs:CHEESECAKE FACTORY!

[InvisibleSoul]

perfect spot for a porn shop ::fuckyea:

Maybe high-class strip joint... a la Spearmint Rhino North? :megusta:

[Onassis]

It'd be sweet if they opened up a Uniqlo in Canada, I wouldn't have to get people from HK and Japan to proxy for me. If they do open an Apple store I hope they install one of those beautiful staircases like the one in HK or Shanghai.

[sonick]

It'd be sweet if they opened up a Uniqlo in Canada, I wouldn't have to get people from HK and Japan to proxy for me. If they do open an Apple store I hope they install one of those beautiful staircases like the one in HK or Shanghai.

+1 I want uniqlooooooo!

[Harvey Specter]

i just hope its not another apple store fuuu
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+1.

The location is prefect for an H&M type store.

[LiquidTurbo]

Apple Flagship Store would fit.

[HollyZ32]

I bet they close the H&M in pacific center, and change that into an H&M.

[MelonBoy]

Went tot he richmond closing sale >.> majority of there stuff was 10% off only.. lame.

[freakshow]

another +1 for Uniqlo.. they would make a killing in Vancouver

[dat_steve]

yeah uniqlo would be awesome!

but i wouldn't be surprised if it ended up as another global group restaurant. the owner pretty much took over alberni and the yaletown strips. would make sense to move to robson next lol

[twitchyzero]

They still make DVDs? :fuckthatshit:

i dont think blu-ray will even surpass DVD's for another 2 years