May 1, 2014 – Coppa’s Fresh Market is a family-owned and operated grocery chain with three stores in the greater Toronto. Previously operating under the Highland Farms banner, the stores are on Dufferin St. in North York, on Bennett Rd. in Scarborough and on Rutherford Ave. in Vaughan. The higher end supermarkets feature premium, fresh fruits and vegetables, a large seafood selection with both ‘wild’ and ‘farm raised’ seafood from around the world, fresh meats including organic and locally sourced choices, a deli counter, fresh bakery on site and a market café that offers prepared meals to take home or eat on site. Coppa’s is planning an aggressive expansion in the greater Toronto area. The chain is seeking highly visible 45,000 to 50,000 square foot units on main arteries. Anchor positions in community and large format centres are targeted……
April 29, 2014 – The first American Girl specialty boutiques in Canada opened in Toronto and Vancouver on Saturday. A subsidiary of toy company Mattel Inc., American Girl is a chain of stores featuring premium brand age-appropriate, high quality dolls and accessories, books, clothes, movies, etc. that cater to girls in the three to twelve year old category. The 1800 square foot locations are at the Indigo Books & Music store in the Yorkdale Centre in Toronto and the Chapters store on Robson St. in Vancouver. Each of the specialty boutiques will include the Doll Hair Salon where the girls can treat their dolls to a new hairstyle or ear piercing. Future child-friendly events and programs are to be slated throughout the year. Based in Middleton, Wisconsin, the 28-year old American Girl chain operates 16 stores in major markets from New York to Los Angeles in the United States along with catalogue and on-line sales. In addition to its smaller mall-format stores, Indigo Books & Music Inc. operates over 90 of the large format Chapters and Indigo stores across Canada…….
April 28, 2014 – Cheezz!! is a photo studio concept with two locations in the greater Montreal area. The studios offer family, children, pets, business, group, etc. portrait services along with limited related décor produce sales. The existing locations are in Greenfield Park in the South Shore area and in Laval. The company is planning to open a third location and is seeking a site in the city’s West Island area. André Sansregret at Intercom Real Estate Services (450/655-1334) has been retained to handle the chain’s site selection. The Cheezz!! Photo Studio is targeting street or plaza locations with visibility and convenient access. The size required is in a 1200 square foot range…….. Development News is published by Paterson Communications and is distributed by electronic mail to the subscribers to the Developers & Chains sourceletter. The information contained is for the exclusive use of the subscriber and may not be reprinted, reproduced in any manner or re-distributed in any form without the written permission of the publisher.