By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Jan. 19, 2013
Dollar stores are not just for downtown.
It’s yet to be officially confirmed, but sources say Dollarama plans to open a dollar store at the former cinema site in Garibaldi Estate mall.
Lyla Radmanovich, media relations person for Dollarama, neither denied nor confirmed that Dollarama will replace the cinema that was shut down last year due to lack of business.
“As a policy, we only confirm a new location once we have a firm opening date on the horizon,” she said.
However, those working on the project told the Reporter a dollar store will open in April.
Last year, the property owners had hinted at the possibility of a dollar store replacing the cinema.
“Yes, it’s a possibility,” Philip Langridge of Churchill International Property Corporation, property manager for Garibaldi Village holdings, said last May.
The average Dollarama is 10,000 square feet, about the size of the vacant cinema hall.
Dollar store companies like to invest in Squamish.
As reported earlier here, Dollar Tree has a dollar store in pipeline for downtown Squamish.
Dollar Tree plans a store in downtown Squamish on Winnipeg Street, in the building adjacent to Sears.
Once again, readers are reminded that the news was never officially confirmed.
Calls and emails to Dollar Tree head office were not returned, but those working on the project had confirmed the plans.
If and when Dollar Tree opens, it would be the third dollar store in downtown Squamish, existing alongside Only Deals Dollar store in the Chieftain Mall and the newly opened Happy Hills Market on Cleveland Ave.
Pearl’s Second, Red Apple, Mini Flea Market and St. Joseph’s thrift store are also available for second hand goods on our main drag.
Dollarama, when it opens, would be the fourth dollar store in Squamish, and the first in the Garibaldi neighbourhood.
moe says
I am actually starting to have sympathy for Squamish. How the hell did Squamish end up in this mess. Lack of employment lands and now there amenities are being given away for discount retail outlets. I am sincere in my efforts to work with DOS on ED issues however if amenities are being rezoned for Dollar stores I am not convinced there is a political will to make the changes required to have a healthy diverse economy. Please prove me wrong and let’s work to stop this downward spiral!
Elisa Langenstam says
How sad…goodness I have written a couple of different variations in response to this article, and keep deleting in fear that I might be offending someone. The simple truth is that there are a lot of downtown businesses trying to make things a little different, and the trend seems to continue that there is no room for change?
So, can we stop the downward spiral? Where I see the opportunity for a lovely unique destination small town showcasing local artists, we seem to only be able to carry dollar stores.
Dave says
Well, I actully don’t frequent the Dollar Stores, The Casino, The Squamish Hotel and many others.
But I do frequent Home Hardwear, Valhalla Pure, Save-On Foods, Billie’s Flower Shop, Anna’s Attic and many other great businesses throughout the valley. I exercise an available choice….come on Elisa…”Downward spiral”? …..Put on your positive cap and live a bit . This is a great town. Yes you do seem sad!
Anyway, if everyone did not want the Dollar Store’s produce this business wouldn’t set up here. Some people like cheap trinkets, especially at Christmas and birthdays for kids or tree decorations etc…like I said, an available choice.
Elisa Langenstam says
I seem to have offended Dave…third year on trying to run a downtown business, so I would beg to differ that I have tried to keep on a positive cap. “Sad”, being that I have put a financial burden on my family by having faith in downtown and working towards contributing to what I believe that it could be. By the way this will be the third dollar store in Squamish (not including the 8 or so second hand),so I think that we can safely say that we’ve covered the demand?
Eric Andersen says
The solution is more people working here in well-paying jobs, with time here to spend their money here. The dollar stores, the second hand stores, the decline of the retail businesses in the downtown is related to the loss of substantial numbers of local well-paying job places.
Dave Colwell says
Eric.
In any community there will always be individuals and families who are not well off.
What you are, apparently, advocating is some kind of elitist utopia…sorry it ain’t going to happen and it never was in Squamish even in the times of Woodfibre, BC Rail, FMC or any of the major well paid job industries. ….there will always be a niche for those ” terrible ” cheap stores. ….leave the choices to evolve with the need is.
We should not fret so much.
And no “Feet” Squamish is NOT a shit hole!
Feet says
More Dollar stores, Money marts, and drive thru Tim Hortons just make the town look more like the shithole everyone that drives through accuses Squamish of being.
Dave says
I am feel sure that what you are selling, Elisa, is of much better quality that what one might find in a Dollar store.
So don’t worry; after Mr. or Mrs. Doe have bought a packet of balloons or some cheap costume glasses for their kids they might well come to you or even visit you first.
By the way there has been a second hand store in Squamish for several decades, run by a lady who has tirelessly contributed to charity and who deserves an award . Then there is St. Josephs thrift store next to Annas Attic. Anna doesn’t complain nor should any of us. Here is a good example of two quite opposite kinds of stores (regarding quality of goods) close together.
Keep truckin’ and don’t dispair. Good businesses will survive in spite of …you know what!. You have not offended me and I hope I haven’t you.
Elisa Langenstam says
There is some amazing contributions from the existing second hand stores, and I like to look for treasures like everyone else. I also buy balloons etc. at the best priced outlet, I just don’t understand why we need several of them? In my store a large percentage is representing local artists and artisans, and I understand that there has to be a diverse offering of goods to suit many needs. I find it interesting that this story has sparked so many comments, and that’s a good thing, as obviously we are many that do care about our town. The spark that got me to comment was that the choice being made is for something that is already offered, as opposed to something new and different. The old Home Hardware is also as we speak getting refitted for another similar outlet…
Paul Watt says
What a disgrace. A crappy store selling garbage. Council, wake up! This is not the type of “investment” Squamish wants or needs. What a joke.
Shan Warburton says
The last thing Squamish needs is another dollar store, and this is especially regrettable news when there are a number of local small business owners that have been trying to raise the bar on the kinds of products and services available in Squamish, for the residents of this community. The “cheap” stores, that we already have in abundance, only serve to lower the image of every other business around them. I feel terrible for those who have signed leases in the Garibaldi area, hoping they were part of an upswing in the retail options along the Corridor. And Feet is correct whether you like it or not, all these cheap convenience businesses are damaging Squamish’s image and reputation, and reinforcing a stereotyped that in no way represents the demographic or potential of this town. They provide nothing but junk, and unsustainably low paying jobs that barely allow people to pay their rent, let alone own a house and support a family. This must be stopped!
Elliot says
Walmart, Canadian Tire, and London Drugs sell the same cheap crap, and just use a different store chain branding strategy. So really, this is the 7th opening of low cost, low quality store. The market decides what it wants, not the District, and no landlord should be singled out and forced to keep his space vacant until a store we prefer will agree to move in and pay same rent as a dollar store will. Only higher incomes will bring in higher quality stores to push the cheapos out.
And Dave C, hold your tongue, Eric is right. What he’s identifying is a deficiency in the ratio of local mid to high salary (professional) jobs that inject cash flow and support all the small retail and service sector job creators. As a matter of fact, it was the Woodfibre jobs we lost for example that provided the mid to high level income injection in town.
It’s not a shithole but Feet and Shan are right, it’s sure looking like one; with dollar stores and boarded up shops usurped by 8 drive-throughs…
Chloe says
I think that there is a bit of exaggeration about the amount of “dollar stores” there are in Squamish. I know of one, in the Cheiftain Mall. The store “Happy Hills Market” on Cleveland is not a dollar store. Though I wish the owners success, I dont think they are going to get it by opening the doors of a dollar store that went out of business, selling all the old product that the previous store couldnt sell at raised prices, and adding in some over-priced scarves, purses, and at times, produce.
Also, if opening big commercial stores is not what we want in Squamish, why are all of the current big commercial stores so busy all of the time?? Perhaps it’s time to realize that Squamish is evolving.
Dave says
Elliot, I agree with most of what you are saying but not, perhaps with your unpleasant tone. The market does dictate what type of stores we have. My only point is that we should allow people to choose where they shop and not wish to run what we don’t prefer out of town… as in some hick wild west town.
I stand by my premise that there are many good, surviving businesses in town which are there still because of their quality of Service. Many of the businesses which have failed over the years have done so because of their own poor choices and lack of service, not because of a “Cheap Crap” store nearby.
(I do not consider London Drugs in this category….A 50 inch Sony wide screen TV costing $1500+, expensive French perfume etc. Hmmm….but I digress, sorry. )
And I would never ask you to “hold your tongue”, but you have a right to express yourself civily, as do I:-)