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MICHAEL STRONGER, Associate Broker with Shindico Realty, talked with BOMA
about the retail industry in Winnipeg. One of Shindico’s top associates, Michael also served
as a panelist at BOMA’s 2016 State of the Industry Luncheon in November.

What were some of the noteworthy deals done in retail in 2016?

MS: There were plenty! Some of the deals that definitely stood out in 2016 were as follows:
• 2016 was a year marked by positive absorption. Most significantly, 3 of the 4 former Targets are now spoken for. Walmart
opened in the former Target at Southdale Centre and Canadian Tire opened in the majority of the former Target at Grant Park
Shopping Centre, with Goodlife Fitness now under construction in the balance. Meanwhile at Kildonan Place, leases have
been completed with Marshall’s, Homesense, H&M and Urban Planet with construction well underway. The Polo Park target
building has proven to be the most challenging property to backfill, largely due to the fact that it was built on stilts with parking
below at grade. That said, negotiations are reportedly ongoing with a few tenants which could lead to the building being split
into 2 or 3 bays.
• Save-On Foods made a bold entrance into the Winnipeg marketplace, openning 3 stores on the same day in November:
St. James Station (former Future Shop), Bridgewater Town Centre (new construction) and perhaps most prolifically a
65,000 sq. ft. Save-On International at Northgate Shopping Centre in a portion of the former Zellers.
• A 60,000 sq. ft. Sobeys Extra opened at Fort Richmond Plaza. This is now the largest Sobeys in the city.
• Long & McQuade opened a new 25,000 sq. ft. flagship store in a former Office Depot at 1845 Pembina Hwy.
• True North Sports & Entertainment (owners of the Winnipeg Jets) commenced construction of True North Square, a $400-million
mixed-use development located on Carlton Street, in Downtown Winnipeg. With plans including a Sutton Place hotel, condos,
and office towers with retail and restaurant components, this is the most ambitious downtown development in a generation.
• Winnipeg continued to attract new restaurant chains including Ben & Florentine, Canadian Brewhouse, Jollibee and IHOP
(now under construction on Sterling Lyon in front of the future Outlet Collection). Locally owned Za Pizza Bistro, building on
the success of their new store in St. Vital, confirmed aggressive expansion plans to open multiple locations in 2017.

Manitoba 2017 Commercial Building Directory 8