Ontario food truck vendors are being invited to apply for a prime business opportunity in and events seasons, gaining access to one of the province’s busiest Summer tourism hubs. With millions of annual visitors to the longest freshwater beach in the world, just 150 kilometres north of Toronto, selected vendors can serve large crowds during major Summer weekends, signature events, and extended Fall festivals. Highlights include Canada Day symphony fireworks, the expanded three-day Memories of Summer festival, the new Wasaga BeachLife Festival, Stonebridge Wasaga Beach Blues Festival, and the Mayor’s Rodeo and Hootenanny Fall Festival. Vendors may also join the planned Food Truck Festival in 2027, further boosting exposure. Mayor Brian Smith emphasized food as a key part of the Wasaga Beach experience as the town continues to grow its tourism appeal. The initiative aims to strengthen the beachfront atmosphere with quality mobile food options, seeking operators with strong menus, dependable service, and the ability to thrive in busy outdoor event settings. (Wasaga Beach Bids and Tenders – www.wasagabeach.bidsandtenders.ca)……..
Set to become one of Canada’s premier retail and lifestyle destinations, Oakridge Park, at Cambie and West 41st in Vancouver, will open its first phase next week. The city’s largest development, the QuadReal Property Group project opens on May 28th with 650,000 square feet of space and more than 100 premium brands spanning luxury fashion, beauty, wellness, and contemporary retail. The multiple-level mixed-use development will feature global luxury names such as Chanel, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Valentino, Versace, and Rolex, alongside jewelry and watch brands including Tiffany & Co., TAG Heuer, and Swarovski. A curated mix of popular contemporary retailers like Arc’teryx, Aritzia, lululemon, Sephora, and Sporting Life will further broaden its appeal. Beyond shopping, Oakridge Park will introduce Time Out Market Vancouver, showcasing top local chefs and restaurateurs such as Feenie’s, DownLow Chicken, and Via Tevere, creating a dynamic culinary hub. Delysees Champagne Bar will add an upscale social element. Throughout June, the destination will celebrate its launch with live entertainment, seasonal activations, and special programming, positioning Oakridge Park as a transformative new centre for retail, dining, and culture in Vancouver. (Oakridge Park – www.oakridgepark.com)…..
FGX International, an EssilorLuxottica company behind the Foster Grant brand, has partnered with iconic denim brand Wrangler to launch a new licensed eyewear collection inspired by rodeo culture and Western fashion. The line includes sunglasses, reading glasses, and safety eyewear designed to reflect Wrangler’s rugged yet stylish identity. Select styles are already available across North America and Latin America, with broader distribution planned through 2026. Available through retailers such as Walmart, CVS, and Amazon, the eyewear aims to extend Wrangler’s everyday lifestyle appeal into accessories. (FGX International – www.fgxi.com) & (Wrangler – www.wrangler.com)……….
Last week, lululemon opened a two-level flagship location with a new design in the former American Eagle location at 1035 St Catherine St West at Peel St in downtown Montreal’s Golden Square Mile. The over 11,500 square foot store features a new design inspired by its Northwest Pacific background. Lululemon also has a temporary location in the Montreal Eaton Centre. (lululemon – www.shop.lululemon.com)……….
Wetzel’s Pretzels celebrated a major milestone with the opening of its 500th location in the Los Angeles suburb, Porter Ranch, marking a significant step in the brand’s national expansion. The celebration featured product sampling, giveaways, and interactive activations that showcased Wetzel’s fresh-baked pretzels. This highlights years of steady franchise growth and brand development. Wetzel’s Pretzels is owned by Montreal-based MTY Food Group Inc. MTY acquired the brand in December 2022, placing it under their Kahala Brands portfolio. (Wetzel’s Pretzels – www.wetzels.com) & (Kahala Brands – www.kahalamgmt.com)………..
Last week, an 18,250 UNIQLO Japanese fashion brand opened in the CF Polo Park in Winnipeg. Its first location in Winnipeg, the unit is in part of the former Sears location near the food court on the mall’s upper level. A second UNIQLO in Winnipeg is expected to open later in 2026 in a unit of about 15,000 square foot in part of the space left vacant by The Bay in the St Vital Centre in south central Winnipeg. (UNIQLO – www.uniqlo.com)……….
Have a great Long Weekend……………