Cleo had just built a new concept store in Polo Park in the fall. Formerly Irene Hill, Cleo became part of Comark in 1979. Bootlegger was founded in 1971 in Vancouver and became a national chain. Comark itself was founded in 1976 and is based in Vancouver where Ronald Stern, former Winnipegger, now calls home. However, the combined company used Winnipeg as a logistics hub in the former McLeod's warehouse on McGillivary. It has around 200 employees and is about 400,000 square feet. It is unclear what happens to Parian Logistics, the company that manages that hub and is also owned by Stern and Silver.
Together all three stores have 221 locations across Canada. There are 13 stores in Manitoba with ten in Winnipeg and with three in Brandon. Some industry people have speculated how fast fashion online from a number of companies has hurt mall stores like Ricki's and Cleo. Creditors believe they can salvage some of Bootlegger. And this might be because everyone could use blue jeans. There seems to be less dressing up by women because of the expense and perhaps because some items are just not as versatile.
Retail is in flux all over the world and malls are particularly having to adapt. It is why malls are looking to build housing and actually have other services asides from fashion stores. Even Kildonan Place sees that they need for an upgraded food court.
In Winnipeg so far, stores like Polo Park and St. Vital have done mostly a good job of filling in places that have vacated spots. The second floor of Polo Park will see a new London Drugs which will fill space in an area that has often had a few vacancies. If women's fashion stores won't fill spaces, I expect we see more day spa, gyms, nail salons and optical stores. And this is always a good opportunity for Winnipeg-based businesses to occupy mall space. It is sad to see Canadian businesses in retail go bankrupt but hopefully, the retail sector will be more diverse and resilient as a result.
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