Planet Fitness to Move into SportChek Unicity

The SportChek wasn't closed for long at Unicity. The location seemed destined to be split up into two spaces since it seemed too large for an easy replacement of the same size. That turned out to be wrong. Planet Fitness has indicated they will be opening soon in the old spot.

In very recent weeks Orange Theory closed nearby and SpecSavers opened in the space. This means there is no other gym super nearby. Portage Avenue does have Fit4Less by Goodlife, the Y, Shapes and some boutique gyms. Most malls are quickly discovering that if you want to have people in hours before or after mall hours you need a grocery, pharmacy, gym or restaurants.

As mentioned in a previous post about Unicity Smart Complex, it is a number of box stores with a few anchors. Restaurants are out more to Portage Avenue although a few are mixed in with the other retailers. It is bleak and and not very green compared to newer developments. However, having more people at a Planet Fitness will make that area of the mall far busier than it has been in recent years.

Portage has had some empty storefronts along it for a few years. Things have been very slowly filling up and malls like Unicity are in need of upgrades. Recent closures on Portage Avenue have been RnR Restaurants and Pets 101 and Crystal Clear Water Centre. The restaurant will be converted to apartments, some affordable housing. The pet store will become massage therapy business and the building was sold to the owner of that business.

The post-pandemic recovery has had many retailers think about what businesses are in the mix. In the past, restaurants were always sought to give a retail complex earlier morning and later day activities adjacent to stores. However, many restaurants are simply closing earlier because traffic patterns have changed. In recent weeks restaurants like Sushi Park in Charleswood and Earl of Sandwich have closed at Seasons Tuxedo.

Many gyms like Snap and Anytime Fitness closed as well during the pandemic. Some that have opened like Crunch Fitness in the old Goodlife location have struggled with getting out the gate. As mentioned, the Unicity mall area had an Orange Theory that recently closed.

The new Planet Fitness opens soon according to their website. It will be interesting to see if it attracts the growing population of apartment residents nearby.  St. James is going through changes where it will attract more density along Portage Avenue. We have not the seen the final development around Unicity. I suspect we will see more in 2025.