Ethan Allen Moving DT!!!

[edmonton daily photo]

From the 170 St location...

Edm Journal just tweeted me!!!

Let it begin.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Beat ya to it, there's already a Journal article posted:
http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum...827#post381827

[Hilman]

That's very good news, hopefully more will follow.

Ethan Allen on the move to new downtown location
New year to bring new chapter for Edmonton home furnishings shop
By Bill Mah, edmontonjournal.com July 14, 2011

Retail mall North Point on Ninth, at 10507 109th St., will be the new home of Ethan Allen furniture when it moves from the west side. The mall used to house clothing store Donovans, which closed in 2009.EDMONTON - Edmonton’s Ethan Allen home furnishings and interior design shop is moving downtown from its longtime west-end location.

When Barbara and Terry de Visser purchased the independent authorized Ethan Allen dealership in November 2009 from the retiring prior owner, they wanted to put their own mark on the home furnishings and interior design shop.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Ethan...dmontonjournal

[Chmilz]

Awesome news. I hate seeing the old Donovan's space vacant. Aren't there other upper-end home decor/interior design stores on 105ave? Could become the new go-to strip for high-end furnishings.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Hilman

That's very good news, hopefully more will follow.

ya... like... in relation to their existing locale/offering, in keeping with a move 'downtown', they may opt to size reduce a portion of their gargantuan over-sized furniture floor offerings... to, uhhh... presumably fit 'typical' condo-living size constraints. Ya think?

[Gemini]

Ah, I like my furniture like I like my vehicles. Built for comfort and not for speed.

[IanO]

Good news!

[NielCole]

It makes more sense to have a furniture store like Ethan Allen to be more central instead of along one side of the city. (except stores like the Brick or Leon's) that are scattered around various parts of the city. That would attract better clientele around around the entire region.

Living in the West End and going past the existing store all the time it hardly seems to have many parked cars next to it. and getting out of the strip mall that used to be a Co-op shopping centre would be a tad nicer. LOL.

Calgary's Ethan Allen is along Glenmore Trail just slightly west of Chinook Centre, dead centre in the wealthier section of southern Cowtown.......So moving to a central point here in Edmonton it is better for clientele from all sections of the metro area around town making it an even trek from St Albert, Sherwood Park, West End, Southside etc etc. Also it will strenghen things along 124th street by being relatively close to furniture stores located there.

[Edmcowboy11]

Well this new location will be interesting. Not really the most affluent neighbourhood but the area is changing so hopefully it will work there. I hope that some of the developments proposed for this area will start up which will help this business succeed.

[edmonton daily photo]

Ethan Allen is a destination... It will work pretty much no matter where it is.. Just like restoration hardware.

[IanO]

^similar to that other furniture store across the st.

[Blueline]

Great News for downtown !

[MrOilers]

Originally Posted by Edmcowboy11

Well this new location will be interesting. Not really the most affluent neighbourhood but the area is changing so hopefully it will work there. I hope that some of the developments proposed for this area will start up which will help this business succeed.

Chintz is only a few blocks away and does just fine.

[NielCole]

Originally Posted by edmonton daily photo

Ethan Allen is a destination... It will work pretty much no matter where it is.. Just like restoration hardware.

Well since Restoration Hardware and Crate and Barrel have selected to make Southgate their Edmonton locations.....Maybe whenever Pottery Barn decides to open up in the city they will pick 124th Street and build a destination freestanding type outlet similar to their South Granville St branch in Vancouver that would really help out 124th and make it a greater pedestrian/shopping street!

[Edmcowboy11]

If Ethan Allen can draw customers on it own that will be great. Still it would be nice if some of the areas around the surrounding blocks can also start developing or redeveloping.

[NielCole]

Totally agree, if large furniture and design stores moved to a central district smaller firms would follow and create a great "designer/furniture/even clothing" type district as many stores and companies would want to part of a trendy and visible district that shoppers would walk around in and compare things on foot. Rather then driving from store to store to store (like the furniture outlets along 170th street north of Stony Plain road)

The antique district along Main Street in Vancouver is a great example. You park your car and visit antique, designer furniture, clothing, specialty shops and spend the time enjoying yourself as opposed to driving into a dozen different parking lots for a dozen different stores. Though shopping in January when its -30 is less appealing on foot.

[murphys]

Originally Posted by darrellinyvr

Totally agree, if large furniture and design stores moved to a central district smaller firms would follow and create a great "designer/furniture/even clothing" type district as many stores and companies would want to part of a trendy and visible district that shoppers would walk around in and compare things on foot. Rather then driving from store to store to store (like the furniture outlets along 170th street north of Stony Plain road)

The antique district along Main Street in Vancouver is a great example. You park your car and visit antique, designer furniture, clothing, specialty shops and spend the time enjoying yourself as opposed to driving into a dozen different parking lots for a dozen different stores. Though shopping in January when its -30 is less appealing on foot.

I totally agree darrellinyvr.......... I got a a pamphlet from Ethan in my mailbox the other day...I live in Oliver area. I still want a hardware store though to come nearby, we sure need one!!!

[Gemini]

^ when it comes to retail darrellinvr always makes sense. Just adding onto the -30 comment. Shopping out doors would not be to bad if there was a couple of cozy coffee shops to pop into. These cozy coffee shops could maybe have a couple of comfy armchairs that you could buy from these furniture stores. The furniture stores could supply people with a coffee card for these coffee shops if someone buys something over a certain amount. There could be a very nice shopping district in that area if it was done right.

[NielCole]

Gemini! Thanks...... If Edmonton could develop a furniture, design district businesses that are coffee, cafe, restaurants would open up. Because when your out looking at furniture or a possible remodelling design outfit your going to want some place to discuss with your husband, wife, partner, etc etc and having a fantastic cup of coffee with some sort of pastry is really going to help make up your mind on buying that $6000 couch or renovating the basement......

Design and furniture shopping is not like going to Banana Republic or Eddie Bauer trying it on and taking it home in a bag.......You want a place to sit and discuss it!

[ajs]

That stretch of 109 st north of 104 avenue is well positioned to become a shopping destination. There is plenty of empty, mid-sized retail spaces. Not to mention the adjoining light industrial just a few steps east on 106 ave. I've been to the cafe attached to Mama Afro, it could use some love but at least it is staking a claim on that stretch. Speaking of nicer cafe's however, Sorrentino's on 107 avenue there is highly underrated.

[Gemini]

Originally Posted by darrellinyvr

Gemini! Thanks...... If Edmonton could develop a furniture, design district businesses that are coffee, cafe, restaurants would open up. Because when your out looking at furniture or a possible remodelling design outfit your going to want some place to discuss with your husband, wife, partner, etc etc and having a fantastic cup of coffee with some sort of pastry is really going to help make up your mind on buying that $6000 couch or renovating the basement......

Design and furniture shopping is not like going to Banana Republic or Eddie Bauer trying it on and taking it home in a bag.......You want a place to sit and discuss it!

Well darrell, if I'm getting a $6,000 couch it's staying upstairs with me. The hubbies going in the basement. If they make a design district downtown with furniture shops they could also add a linen shop for bed linens and bathrooms. A store for mirrors, pictures, vases etc: would work.

[NielCole]

Gemini.

Thats the way it is! The new stuff stays upstairs and the old recliners and couches move to the basement. You watch the CFL, NFL, NHL, with your feet up on the old coffee table downstairs..... Those are the rules.....

If enough furniture stores move into the same district, the add ons follow preferably some nice unique independant businesses to allow a more personal experience then large national/continental chains.......

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Originally Posted by ajs

That stretch of 109 st north of 104 avenue is well positioned to become a shopping destination. There is plenty of empty, mid-sized retail spaces. Not to mention the adjoining light industrial just a few steps east on 106 ave. I've been to the cafe attached to Mama Afro, it could use some love but at least it is staking a claim on that stretch. Speaking of nicer cafe's however, Sorrentino's on 107 avenue there is highly underrated.

It's the original Caffe Sorrentino. I wouldn't say "underrated", but likely not as patronized due to the sketchy nature of 107 Ave.

[Carcass]

Poor choice moving downtown..Their main clientele is located in Terwillegar,Wedgewood Donsdale and St Albert and Sh Park Executive Estates.
Their merchandise motto is stamped> Proudly made in America but many of there products now come from Vietnam and Indonesia.
This company owns their own stands of forest in the SE USA, must be getting a little thin now.

[Hilman]

^ Oh no, they might have to drive a little further

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Originally Posted by Carcass

Poor choice moving downtown..Their main clientele is located in Terwillegar,Wedgewood Donsdale and St Albert and Sh Park Executive Estates.

[Marcel Petrin]

Originally Posted by Carcass

Poor choice moving downtown..Their main clientele is located in Terwillegar,Wedgewood Donsdale and St Albert and Sh Park Executive Estates.

So a location that's pretty much equidistant from those various places is a poor one? How do you figure?

[Hilman]

^^^^ Wouldn't that be closer for some of the places you listed

[NielCole]

Originally Posted by Marcel Petrin

So a location that's pretty much equidistant from those various places is a poor one? How do you figure?

So being dead centre in its market of approximately 1.2 million customers is poor? Exactly explain that! For homeowners in solid middle and upper income areas as (your example Sherwood Park) not to mention other areas Capilano, Glenora, Oliver, Saskatchewan Drive, Castle Downs, etc that a centrally located branch is bad.

How do you know where thier main clientele is anyways???? The fact that Sherwood Park is on the eastside of the city means a central location is more convenient........And that is just one positive example just like home owners along the River Valley in highrise condos will now be closer to a central location......duh!.

[Carcass]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Awesome,Thanks for posting the owner of EA after they realize the colossal blunder they made.Moving to dead downtown deadmonton is not a wise business decision..If the bankrupt out of place Donovan's wasn't there would they still want to locate in that spot? Nope.

[Carcass]

Originally Posted by Hilman

^^^^ Wouldn't that be closer for some of the places you listed

Terwilllager and Donsdale etc are much closer to EA presentley than Downtown Deadmonton where EA will move.

[MrOilers]

Stop posting.

[edmontonenthusiast]

Carcass:

When was the last time you were in downtown? It certainly isn't dead, and if it were, having businesses such as Ethan Allen moving to that vicinity would only help things become undead.

If most clientele is from the west/southwest, Sherwood Park, and Saint Albert, this spot works as it is less driving for those out in Sherwood Park. That being said, I don't know how you'd know that Ethan Allen's clientele is only from these areas. I'm sure Glenora, Cloverdale, Highlands, Windsor Heights, Belgravia, Bonnie Doon, and Crestwood types have gone into their store, and if not, this is a chance for Ethan Allen to expand their market to more zones of the city (eg why cater to west/sw, when you can tap into the markets of the north, southeast, east, northwest as well?).

[Chmilz]

Stop feeding the ***** guys :P

[Gemini]

Originally Posted by Carcass

Terwilllager and Donsdale etc are much closer to EA presentley than Downtown Deadmonton where EA will move.

It's fine Carcass, EA delivers. You do'nt have to carry the big a$$ sofa you buy onto a bus .

[ChrisD]

Funny that some of the most expensive retailers in the city are located downtown; Henry Singer, Holts, Blu's, Swedish Jewelers, etc...they've seemed to survive. Oh you silly thing Carcass

[Carcass]

Can the moderator of this site delete my subscription immediately please..I do not want to be associated with a forum that has Nazi youth types that attack you if you dare to post something they totally disagree with you then are attacked like your in Stalingrad.I have noticed that before on here when you dare to critique anything downtown Edmonton then your free game for attacks..Must be many a downtown homerboys that get their little feelings hurt quite easily on here.
Mr/Mrs moderator please delete me immediately please.Don't need the whiny BS from a bunch of guppy yuppy types.

Oh and bye the way EA will fail. LOL!

[ChrisD]

^Please send me your address/contact so we can place a wager on that...

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Originally Posted by Carcass

Can the moderator of this site delete my subscription immediately please..I do not want to be associated with a forum that has Nazi youth types that attack you if you dare to post something they totally disagree with you then are attacked like your in Stalingrad.I have noticed that before on here when you dare to critique anything downtown Edmonton then your free game for attacks..Must be many a downtown homerboys that get their little feelings hurt quite easily on here.
Mr/Mrs moderator please delete me immediately please.Don't need the whiny BS from a bunch of guppy yuppy types.

Oh and bye the way EA will fail. LOL!

Don't let the door hit your a$$ on the way out.

If I want your type of negativity, I can read the SUN, or the Journal's reader comments.

[bobinedmonton]

Good luck trying to have your name removed! It's impossible. That's how C2E pads the numbers!

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by ChrisD

Funny that some of the most expensive retailers in the city are located downtown; Henry Singer, Holts, Blu's, Swedish Jewelers, etc...they've seemed to survive. Oh you silly thing Carcass

I still think it's an odd move decision as there aren't a lot of (any?) like draws in the vicinity... like the earlier reference to VanCity`s South Granville where there are several 'destination' type stores grouped in vicinity. Ya, ya, Cosafina is a relative new addition across the street, but I see little commonality between EA and Cosafina (whether product, inventory on hand, customer type, etc.). Are there reasons why most of the large volume and/or chain/franchise furniture outlets in Edmonton are located in outlying malls or on peripheral high-volume traffic corridors? What could they be... what could they be?

[Alex.L]

Maybe they've decided that they want to lock down this location at a low cost now rather than moving downtown in a few years and paying through the nose.

[MrOilers]

Originally Posted by Jeff

I still think it's an odd move decision as there aren't a lot of (any?) like draws in the vicinity...

Chintz is just down the street a few blocks, and their furniture is pretty pricey, too.

[NielCole]

Originally Posted by Carcass

Can the moderator of this site delete my subscription immediately please..I do not want to be associated with a forum that has Nazi youth types that attack you if you dare to post something they totally disagree with you then are attacked like your in Stalingrad.I have noticed that before on here when you dare to critique anything downtown Edmonton then your free game for attacks..Must be many a downtown homerboys that get their little feelings hurt quite easily on here.
Mr/Mrs moderator please delete me immediately please.Don't need the whiny BS from a bunch of guppy yuppy types.

Oh and bye the way EA will fail. LOL!

Just stop posting and go back to shopping for furniture at Goodwill, But thanks for calling everybody here "young youth types" it must mean your just a grumpy old has been who doesn't like progress in the city.

Sorry to say it but you sound an awfull lot like my own father who hates progress and wishes Edmonton was still stuck in a time warp around 1966.

PS I'm in my late 40's and I love the progress that Edmonton continually makes just relax and sit quietly in the basement watching TV you may cause yourself a heart attack if you get stressed out by something your obviously against. (ie PROGRESS in this city by successful American companys)

[bpeters]

Originally Posted by Jeff

I still think it's an odd move decision as there aren't a lot of (any?) like draws in the vicinity... like the earlier reference to VanCity`s South Granville where there are several 'destination' type stores grouped in vicinity. Ya, ya, Cosafina is a relative new addition across the street, but I see little commonality between EA and Cosafina (whether product, inventory on hand, customer type, etc.). Are there reasons why most of the large volume and/or chain/franchise furniture outlets in Edmonton are located in outlying malls or on peripheral high-volume traffic corridors? What could they be... what could they be?

If what you're suggesting is true, what do you think the reason is?

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by quiksilver

If what you're suggesting is true, what do you think the reason is?

other than their current 170 street location lease expiring...dunno? I would presume Ethan Allan corporate would have had to approve the move... protecting image/brand and all that. I presume a part of that approval would require the review of a viable business case. But... how could one, realistically, make a sound business case for the move? Demographics? Location? Surrounding neighbourhoods? Like destination points? Access routes from other parts of the city? Projected sales based on... notwithstanding the new move-to location is ~1/3 smaller?

[Sonic Death Monkey]

From the Journal article way above:

When Barbara and Terry de Visser purchased the independent authorized Ethan Allen dealership in November 2009 from the retiring prior owner, they wanted to put their own mark on the design centre.

So with the 20-year lease at the store’s 170th Street location just north of West Edmonton Mall ending at the end of January, the de Vissers looked at it as a new opportunity.

When the current location closes Jan. 31, a new store will open Feb. 1 at 105th Avenue and 109th Street.

The retail space in the North Point on Ninth development was left vacant when longtime independent women’s fashion store Donovans closed in late 2009.

“I’ve always loved downtown,” said Barbara de Visser, co-owner and interior-design technologist.

“Ethan Allen corporate has their flagship store in downtown Manhattan across from Bloomingdales, and there was just something about this particular site we’re going to.

“This is where we’ve got to be. It’s a great change for us. It’s a new chapter for Ethan Allen and a whole new look for us.”

[Jeff]

so SDM... you're saying the 'business case' reflects upon the co-owner's expressed, "always love for downtown"..... "just something about that site".

Oh my! Did she really compare that site... across from "Laser Quest"... to... "downtown Manhattan across from Bloomingdales"?

by the by - just so there's a proper reference point... understanding the dynamic, fluid, growth aspect (/snarc), just where does "officialdom", today, present the start/stop of "downtown" Edmonton? (E, W, N, S)

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Why don't you ask them?

If you want to stick to speculation, I think maybe they no longer need such a large space.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Why don't you ask them?

If you want to stick to speculation, I think maybe they no longer need such a large space.

Before speculating further, what we do know for sure, is that a long running 'higher-end' clothing store, operating for decades within the downtown core, moved to the same location Ethan Allen intends to move to. What we do know for sure, is that the long operating downtown clothing store could not make a go of it in the same location Ethan Allen intends to move to. The rest is speculation... including that being done by those who so wish to extend downtown core boundaries to now include 105 avenue.

[Transplanted_Edm]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Before speculating further, what we do know for sure, is that a long running 'higher-end' clothing store, operating for decades within the downtown core, moved to the same location Ethan Allen intends to move to. What we do know for sure, is that the long operating downtown clothing store could not make a go of it in the same location Ethan Allen intends to move to. The rest is speculation... including that being done by those who so wish to extend downtown core boundaries to now include 105 avenue.

Clothing shopping is way more impulsive. You really need people walking by, seeing the window displays, stopping in and browsing without necessarily intending to buy. Then some people will like what they see and end up buying on the spur of the moment.

For furniture, it's a lot more premeditated. People may only buy once a year or once every few years. People are more likely to go out of their way to get to a specific store based on online research etc. Note: I'm not suggesting that 105th Ave. is "out of the way", it's a very central and accessible location in the city, only that it doesn't have a lot of walk-by traffic.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

^ Exactly. That is why Kunitz Shoes is moving from there to the Intact building on Jasper Ave.

The other thing is that Donovan's was a local independent that was hit by the recession and changing fashion tastes, whereas Ethan Allen is a global chain that is in a better position to weather such storms. They can afford a relocation to 109 St.

Personally, I would have preferred if Ethan Allen relocated to the warehouse district.

[NielCole]

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

^ Exactly. That is why Kunitz Shoes is moving from there to the Intact building on Jasper Ave.

The other thing is that Donovan's was a local independent that was hit by the recession and changing fashion tastes, whereas Ethan Allen is a global chain that is in a better position to weather such storms. They can afford a relocation to 109 St.

Personally, I would have preferred if Ethan Allen relocated to the warehouse district.

Also I seem to remember that the original owners of Donovan's were retiring from the business and no one wanted to take over.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

^ Their children took it over
http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjourn...d-a9fd508b96f1

[NielCole]

Thanks I knew it was something related to the family.

[ChrisD]

At the end of the day, Ethan Allen 'corporate office' approved the move. And they wouldn't base this decision on the operators 'love' for downtown. So Jeff, if you're really balls deep about finding out why, then contact the corporate head office. Otherwise you're just wasting bandwidth.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Jeff

I still think it's an odd move decision as there aren't a lot of (any?) like draws in the vicinity... like the earlier reference to VanCity`s South Granville where there are several 'destination' type stores grouped in vicinity. Ya, ya, Cosafina is a relative new addition across the street, but I see little commonality between EA and Cosafina (whether product, inventory on hand, customer type, etc.). Are there reasons why most of the large volume and/or chain/franchise furniture outlets in Edmonton are located in outlying malls or on peripheral high-volume traffic corridors? What could they be... what could they be?

balls deep? Not necessary, as I leave that to you and the rest of the booster-crew... with your assorted posts, you appear to be quite deep yourself! Why are you so feverish as to expropriate a part of the "North Edge BRZ" and call it "downtown"? Since you've taken up the mantle, without dropping your balls (further), care to make that business case... if even only at the highest of levels (geographic location, surrounding neighbourhoods, surrounding businesses, ease of access from the rest of the city, demographics, physical size of new location, corporate brand attachment, etc.). Sure you can... after all, you must be able to substantiate the move since you've already expressed an eagerness to place a wager on the successful outcome of that move. You must have a basis then, hey?

Originally Posted by Carcass

Oh and bye the way EA will fail. LOL!

[DanC]

Originally Posted by Jeff

balls deep? Not necessary, as I leave that to you and the rest of the booster-crew... with your assorted posts, you appear to be quite deep yourself! Why are you so feverish as to expropriate a part of the "North Edge BRZ" and call it "downtown"? Since you've taken up the mantle, without dropping your balls (further), care to make that business case... if even only at the highest of levels (geographic location, surrounding neighbourhoods, surrounding businesses, ease of access from the rest of the city, demographics, physical size of new location, corporate brand attachment, etc.). Sure you can... after all, you must be able to substantiate the move since you've already expressed an eagerness to place a wager on the successful outcome of that move. You must have a basis then, hey?

Call Ethan Allen or the owners and ask for the business case.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

Jeff is too much of a coward to call Ethan Allen about his concerns.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by DanC

Call Ethan Allen or the owners and ask for the business case.

Apparently... questioning the rationale behind the chosen move-to location is verboten!!! What's lacking and what would be helpful, is to read, if nothing else, the thoughts/speculations of others as to the rationale behind the move... and why it will be successful. You know, something other than... typical booster-crew wishful thinking...

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Personally, I would have preferred if Ethan Allen relocated to the warehouse district.

So... keyboard warrior SDM, apparently, expressing your preference... is not verboten. However, someone else expressing a preference in terms of questioning the move-to location... is verboten!

[ChrisD]

Perhaps I need to simplify this for you. Call Ethan Allen's HO. Over.

...and stop wasting bandwidth...

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Jeff

balls deep? Not necessary, as I leave that to you and the rest of the booster-crew... with your assorted posts, you appear to be quite deep yourself! Why are you so feverish as to expropriate a part of the "North Edge BRZ" and call it "downtown"? Since you've taken up the mantle, without dropping your balls (further), care to make that business case... if even only at the highest of levels (geographic location, surrounding neighbourhoods, surrounding businesses, ease of access from the rest of the city, demographics, physical size of new location, corporate brand attachment, etc.). Sure you can... after all, you must be able to substantiate the move since you've already expressed an eagerness to place a wager on the successful outcome of that move. You must have a basis then, hey?

Please sir, can I have some more! Let me simplify this for you - on a matter of preference, I am quite content to question the viability of the intended move-to location. I am equally content to highlight that those most virulently opposed to anyone questioning the foundations of such a move are, themselves, the most unwilling to speak to those foundations... unwilling to speak to why they believe the target move-to location will be successful. Instead they throw down wager challenges or they utter silly things like worrying about... bandwidth!

[etownboarder]

Stop the bitching you two. They could have chosen to move downtown because they believed the west side of the city was going to be invaded by dinosaurs. It's none of your business why they moved their FRANCHISE to a central location. Give it a rest!

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by etownboarder

They could have chosen to move downtown to the North Edge Business Revitalization Zone because they believed the west side of the city was going to be invaded by dinosaurs.

your above reference needed correcting... equally, the OP should edit the incorrect reference to "DT"

[Alex.L]

Originally Posted by etownboarder

They could have chosen to move downtown because they believed the west side of the city was going to be invaded by dinosaurs.

love it.

[jacoblost]

Doing a quick analysis of their current location with the location they are moving to, along with the story of their situation, my only hypothesis is that Ethan Allen is struggling and the renewal lease rate was more than they could afford.

The new location is downtown, but it is quite a bit smaller than their current, and certainly not in as an ideal location given their product and the clientele they are looking for, however, it was likely the only location within their budget if they wish to continue operating.

I certainly hope for the best for them, but if I was an investor I would be concerned.

[ChrisD]

^They could have found a cheaper suburban location and still have been closer to their 'clientele' (which we are all assuming are in the suburbs) versus deciding to make the move downtown, err, North Edge .

[kcantor]

carcass/jeff,

do you both not think that they at least took a cursory look at their own data base as to where their customers really live - as opposed to your guessing where they might live - and maybe even surveyed them to find out what they think would be a good convenient location for a new store? for what it's worth i much prefer the new location...

[IanO]

Keep in mind that there is another high end furniture store directly across the street west...

[jacoblost]

I did a quick survey of retail lease rates on various commercial real estate sites around the net and it looks like the West end (around 170th street) average between $20-$30/sqft. North (around 137 Ave) and South (around 23rd Ave) and Downtown Propoer are in the range of $15-$20/sqft. In the vicinity of thier new location $8-$15/sqft. That said I could be over analyzing it.

I do agree with IanO, Cosafina is right across the street which will be beneficial for them (and Cosafina alike) and it would be great to see a sort of high end furniture district form in this area.

[Blueline]

There is also the great interior store on 105 + 105
More people out and about downtown
Old location was the mouse next to the elephant

[ChrisD]

There are a number of other higher end furniture places along 105 Ave. Inspired Home Interiors further to the west and Chintz further to the east.

[Carcass]

They will Crater at that location in 5 years or less...Kaput.

[bobinedmonton]

I hope they don't cover the windows with pictures of furniture and keep the doors in good working order!

[nnk]

That is great to see Ethan Allan move. Now we need to hold the city administration feet to the fire and have them get on with the 105ave Revitalization that was proposed a couple of years ago. Hate to see all the development in the area and all the abandonded shopping carts. The area needs to start to be developed. Forget the Muni for now and get families into the North Edge 015 area . I would move there in a heart beat but lack of new housing and upbeat streetscapes,walk ways etc.

[Dialog]

Drove by this morning and saw the lights on and renovation work in progress behind the papered windows.

[IanO]

^yup, coming along. I had a nice chat with one of the franchise owners and suggested a neighbourhood 'open house' when they are about to open.

[Blueline]

Is there a date for a pre or post move sale as yet ?

[IanO]

If I recall Feb.

[BalancedOP]

Originally Posted by IanO

If I recall Feb.

Looks like the studs are in place. Electrical going in as well.

[NielCole]

Originally Posted by Blueline

Is there a date for a pre or post move sale as yet ?

If you drive past the Ethan Allen store on 170th the have Moving "Clearance" signs in the window already. Now is the time to get that clearance couch or dining room set LOL!

[KC]

Originally Posted by jacoblost

Doing a quick analysis of their current location with the location they are moving to, along with the story of their situation, my only hypothesis is that Ethan Allen is struggling and the renewal lease rate was more than they could afford.

The new location is downtown, but it is quite a bit smaller than their current, and certainly not in as an ideal location given their product and the clientele they are looking for, however, it was likely the only location within their budget if they wish to continue operating.

I certainly hope for the best for them, but if I was an investor I would be concerned.

So that ever hyped downtown arena spillover effect is really just fiction?


Does anyone know if the old mall still exists inside the current Ethan Allen building? It used to be a mall with a co-op at either end connected by a short covered mall. I've heard at it does... But what is in there then?



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[NielCole]

The interior of that mall was eleminated decades ago, it is just a strip mall now. With a large dental clinic and some other businesses taking up the space. When it was the Westgate Co-op Centre all it had was a grocery store at one end the furniture/clothing part of Co-op at the other end a coffee shop and barber shop, beauty salon in between and nothing else. It was extremely lame for a suburban mall you always had the feeling you were in Innisfail or Westlock had a very rural feel to it.

It made Meadowlark at the time look trendy and sophisticated because WEM did not exist when it it first opened as nothing west of 170 St existed at the time that was the edge of the city then.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

I gather they must have finished relocating now
http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/201...gs-and-goings/

Home furnishings and interior design shop Ethan Allen has moved downtown from its longtime west-end home. Owners Barbra and Terry de visser bought the dealership in 2009 from the retiring prior owner and wanted to put their own mark on the business. So with the lease on their 170th Street location ending, they found a new home at the North Point on Ninth development at 105th Avenue and 109th Street.

[IanO]

Looks open

[mki]

Very Open. Made purchases last weekend. Beautiful space.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

I drove by and they are open. They have temporary signage up though, I hope that is changed to permanent LED signs soon.

[Edmcowboy11]

That's great that they are open. Now if only the rest of the area would continue to develop which would further help pedestrian traffic in the area.

[IanO]

Needs 1 or 2 more destination places to really be a draw. As of now it is point and shoot.

[KC]

Originally Posted by darrellinyvr

The interior of that mall was eleminated decades ago, it is just a strip mall now. With a large dental clinic and some other businesses taking up the space. When it was the Westgate Co-op Centre all it had was a grocery store at one end the furniture/clothing part of Co-op at the other end a coffee shop and barber shop, beauty salon in between and nothing else. It was extremely lame for a suburban mall you always had the feeling you were in Innisfail or Westlock had a very rural feel to it.

It made Meadowlark at the time look trendy and sophisticated because WEM did not exist when it it first opened as nothing west of 170 St existed at the time that was the edge of the city then.

Are you sure the old interior mall is gone? For years I've been meaning to go over there and check to see what all it in there now.

Would be cool to link it up with WEM - how much expansion would be necessary to reclaim world's biggest mall status? Or has China's building boom trumped all malls for all time?

[NielCole]

The mall space was chopped up decades ago and it was only about 100 feet long , ran in a east west direction between the CO-OP grocery store and the CO-OP clothing, hardlines area nothing worth expanding to anyways.