The new Canadian Tire store at the Mall at Piccadilly will be more than double the size of the current one.
General manager Glenn Breugom, who took over from Justin Mondor who’s now managing the store in Kamloops, says the new store will be 50,000 square feet, compared to the current 20,000.
“It’ll be beautiful,” he says. “Low aisles in the front..., bright lighting, illuminated shelves in certain areas. We’re trying to make sure there’s enough space in the aisles so it’s not so tight and cramped.”
Breugom was the district manager for Canadian Tire previous to his current position, so he has been part of the project since the beginning. He predicts a spring opening, although he says it will be dependent on construction and a number of other variables.
“We’re looking tentatively for a late March soft opening and an early May grand opening, but it’s still unconfirmed.”
He’s hoping the changeover will be seamless, with the old store closing a little earlier on a Saturday and the new one opening on a Monday.
An 8100-square-foot Mark’s Work Wearhouse will be located inside the Canadian Tire store.
“You walk into Canadian Tire from the mall and enter Mark’s from there,” Breugom explains.
As for stock in the new Canadian Tire, he said it will carry a full line.
About 100 to 120 staff will be employed at the store, an increase over the current level.
“We are going to be hiring sometime before we get possession of the building,” he said, which will depend on how construction proceeds.
As for the old building, he’s not sure of its fate.
“Once we decommission and leave it, it will be up to Canadian Tire real estate what they do.”