Recipe Unlimited Corp., Canada’s largest full-service restaurant company, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of Evergood, the food services business of Greece-based Vivartia Holding. The transaction marks a significant step in Recipe’s international expansion, establishing a presence in Greece and other developing European markets. Evergood operates more than 575 restaurants under five brands: Goody’s Burger House, Everest Cafe, Flocafe Espresso Room, La Pasteria and Jackaroo. Its network includes franchised street and shopping mall locations, as well as restaurants and cafés serving major airports, motorways and passenger maritime routes. Recipe CEO Frank Hennessey highlighted Evergood’s strong market position and experienced management team as key advantages for future growth. The acquisition remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. (Recipe Unlimited Corp – www.recipeunlimited.com)………
Roots Corp. has received the final approval from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for its proposed acquisition by Marquee Brands LLC, through strategic operating partner JM&A Design & Development Inc. The transaction will see Marquee Brands acquire all outstanding Roots common shares. Closing is anticipated in October 2026, subject to customary conditions. Established in 1973, Roots is a Canadian lifestyle brand offering apparel, leather goods, footwear and accessories for men, women and children. The company operates more than 100 Canadian locations, two U.S. stores, an e-commerce platform and over 100 partner-operated stores in Asia. (Roots Corp – www.roots.com) & (Marquee Brands – www.marqueebrands.com)………….
Montoni and the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ have begun construction on Quartier Molson, a major redevelopment of Montréal’s former Molson brewery site. The first phase includes CHAPITRE Quartier Molson, a $190-million rental apartment building with 383 units and a 22,000 square foot supermarket, scheduled for completion in Summer 2028. Planned over seven to ten years, the overall project will deliver nearly 5,000 housing units, alongside retail shops, restaurants, local services and hotel accommodations. Approximately 1,000 off-market housing units are planned, complemented by a separate SHDM development with about 370 social and affordable units. The project will also feature 161,000 square feet of public green space. (Quartier Molson – www.quartiermolson.com)……….
Canada’s GDP growth is forecast to slow from two percent in Q3 2026 to 1.4 percent in Q4 as tariffs, rising fuel costs and weak consumer demand pressure small businesses, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Inflation is expected to remain near three percent, while private investment growth will ease from 5.2 percent to 1.6 percent. Nearly 39 percent of businesses plan price increases exceeding three percent over the next year, with many passing tariff costs on to customers. Business optimism and net business formation have also deteriorated, highlighting continued economic uncertainty. (Canadian Federation of Independent Business – www.cfib-fcei.ca)………….
Morguard Corp has celebrated the topping off of Boulevard on the Green, a 431-suite purpose-built rental development in East Mineola in Mississauga. The project comprises three mid-rise buildings of eight and nine storeys, offering studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, townhomes and penthouses. Amenities include rooftop terraces, a greenhouse, fitness and yoga facilities, co-working spaces, lounges and landscaped outdoor areas. Conveniently located near the QEW, waterfront and Port Credit GO Station, the development incorporates energy-efficient features and is targeting LEED Gold certification. Interior finishing is underway, with first occupancy anticipated in fall 2027. (Boulevard on the Green – www.boulevardonthegreen.com)………………
REFORMD, a Toronto-founded Lagree fitness concept developed by Sweat and Tonic, will open its first U.S. location in January 2027 at The Commons at Calabasas, an upscale open-air shopping destination in California developed by Caruso. The new studio will feature 37 Lagree EVO PRO machines, including 35 in its main training studio and two in a dedicated private training and education space, making it the world’s largest Lagree studio. The facility will also include six wellness and recovery treatment rooms offering massage therapy, cryotherapy, dry flotation, compression therapy and other services, plus a dedicated recovery lounge. The concept combines high-intensity, low-impact fitness with luxury wellness amenities in a hospitality-focused environment. REFORMD’s expansion follows the success of its Toronto flagship. The Calabasas location will be principally owned and operated by Lagree educator Heather Perren, in partnership with Sweat and Tonic founder David Ingram, marking a significant step in the brand’s U.S. expansion. (REFORMD – www.reformd.com)……………
Landmark Cinemas is upgrading its theatre at 194 McEwan Dr. East in Bolton in Ontario, with its premium Laser Ultra experience ahead of the 2026 holiday movie season. The enhanced auditorium will feature laser projection for improved brightness, colour and image clarity, Dolby Atmos immersive sound and luxury recliner seating. The investment is part of Landmark’s ongoing commitment to upgrading its Canadian theatres and expanding premium presentation options. The Bolton location already offers recliner seating, Premiere Seats, reserved seating and other premium amenities. Calgary-based Landmark Cinemas is Canada’s second-largest cinema operator and a subsidiary of Belgium’s Kinepolis Group. (Landmark Cinemas – www.landmarkcinemas.com)……..
Primaris REIT has completed its $411-million(Cdn) acquisition of Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket in Ontario, on October 15, 2026. The REIT has also agreed to sell its 50 percent managing interest in Cataraqui Centre in Kingston for $41.8 million(Cdn), as part of its strategy to recycle capital and focus on assets with stronger long-term growth potential. Cataraqui Centre is a 572,600 square foot enclosed shopping centre with 67 percent occupancy, same-store sales productivity of $639 per square foot, and a 113,000 square foot former Hudson’s Bay-anchored space. The sale is expected to close by January 6, 2027, subject to customary conditions. Primaris’ portfolio totals 15.3 million square feet, valued at approximately $5.6 billion. (Primaris REIT – www.primarisreit.com)………..
What’s to talk about? In the last issue, after coming upon some social media comments suggesting a noticeable decline in retail attendance in this year’s ICSC Toronto, along with a decline in the ‘fun aspect’ of the events in previous year, my comment sparked a few interesting comments along with several ‘remember when’ antidotes.
With regards to the conferences and conventions, it’s more than simply retailers that aren’t there anymore. The change has happened so gradually, it was hardly noticeable, but when these national, and regional gatherings too, stopped being full-fledged shopping centre industry shows and became leasing events, that’s when the atmosphere changed. More than that, the purpose changed. It’s not just the retailers that started staying home. They feel safe in the belief that their leasing representatives will take care of their interests, but now it’s also the shopping centre management, marketing, operations and development people that aren’t coming out anymore. The supplier turnout is dropping too.
Those early events, yes, those simple Idea Exchanges, were a lot more than simple networking and ‘meet & greet’ assemblies. They were complete educations.
More than a few of today’s experts learned the unique workings of the business at these old ‘pipe & drape’ shows. Each of those events was a crash course on the rapidly evolving shopping centre industry and those participants that kept their eyes and ears open, they succeeded………….and yes, they had a lot of fun too.
Have a great week and stay safe………..