Bowmanville Zellers - closing Feb 2013

[Disney Addicted]

This morning, an employee told me they (the employees) were all told the store would close in February. And it turns out Target did not purchase "Zellers". Target purchased the leases and are terminating the leases in order to move in. What I did not realize, is this means all the employees are laid off and have to apply to become a Target employee now.

 

[DisneyFleet]

Wow, that is not good for the employees! Did you hear anything about when/ if the Target will be opening there?

 

[glenpreece]

I heard this from our pharmacist (who have left Zeller's since the Target won't have a pharmacy) and read an article about the takeover. Some of the locations will actually turn into walmart outlets.

 

[Disney Addicted]

Wow, that is not good for the employees! Did you hear anything about when/ if the Target will be opening there?

My neighbor works there as well so I asked her about it this afternoon. She said Zeller's (bowmanville location) will completely close for a few months, and then reopen as Target.

I heard this from our pharmacist (who have left Zeller's since the Target won't have a pharmacy) and read an article about the takeover. Some of the locations will actually turn into walmart outlets.

Yes, apparently this is what is happening to the Townline & Harmony location.

 

[DisneyFleet]

So many changes in Bowmanville, I saw the sign the other day that they are turning the old Canadian Tire into SportChek, Shoppers Drug Mart, Atmosphere and a Canadian Tire gas station. Anyone know when those will open?

 

[Disney Addicted]

What type of a store is "Atmosphere"? I have not heard that name before.

I'm happy the Dollarama will be closer to us. And it looks much bigger!

 

[mikeymouse1223]

What type of a store is "Atmosphere"? I have not heard that name before.

I'm happy the Dollarama will be closer to us. And it looks much bigger!

Atmosphere is owned by Forlani Group (as is Sport Chek). It is a sporting gear/clothes store that is geared towards outdoors enthousiasts. They sell kayaks, tents, climbing gear, etc. & carry brands like North face, Arcteryx, etc.

 

[DisneyFleet]

Oh yeah, I completely forgot about the Dollarama. Does anyone know when that will open? The sign is up and lights are on?

 

[papertraveller]

I heard this from our pharmacist (who have left Zeller's since the Target won't have a pharmacy) and read an article about the takeover. Some of the locations will actually turn into walmart outlets.

Target will indeed have a pharmacy. Your pharmacist is leaving because Zellers sold its pharma business (really, its list of customers). Target will be building its own business.

And to PPs, the company has always been up front that it is purchasing some -- not all -- of the Zellers leases. That is why some landlords are looking to other retailers to fill the vacated space.

It will be interesting to see what the Target locations do to surrounding retail rents. At our local mall, I suspect the retailers will see a bump in traffic that Target generates. Not sure if they'll see a bump in revenue. And I suspect a bump in rents will follow soon after.

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

Target will indeed have a pharmacy. Your pharmacist is leaving because Zellers sold its pharma business (really, its list of customers). Target will be building its own business.

And to PPs, the company has always been up front that it is purchasing some -- not all -- of the Zellers leases. That is why some landlords are looking to other retailers to fill the vacated space.

It will be interesting to see what the Target locations do to surrounding retail rents. At our local mall, I suspect the retailers will see a bump in traffic that Target generates. Not sure if they'll see a bump in revenue. And I suspect a bump in rents will follow soon after.

No offense to anyone on this board who works at Zellers or knows someone who does -- I'm sure you/they are the good ones -- but the chain has been run into the ground over the last decade or so. Customer service (in my experience in multiple locations) is surly to nonexistent; stock is either missing (usually) or piled willy-nilly all over the floor; the stores almost unfailingly appear dark and dingy. I work in retail myself and know better than to blame staff for out-of-stocks, but such a high percentage of empty shelves speaks to some kind of systemic issue. The customer service, though, is something that stores can control...but again in my experience, they don't. I've been ignored, cursed at (for asking when an advertised item would be available), and generally treated rudely each and every time I've gone to a Zellers. Eventually I stopped going.

 

[jennyjinx3]

No offense to anyone on this board who works at Zellers or knows someone who does -- I'm sure you/they are the good ones -- but the chain has been run into the ground over the last decade or so. Customer service (in my experience in multiple locations) is surly to nonexistent; stock is either missing (usually) or piled willy-nilly all over the floor; the stores almost unfailingly appear dark and dingy. I work in retail myself and know better than to blame staff for out-of-stocks, but such a high percentage of empty shelves speaks to some kind of systemic issue. The customer service, though, is something that stores can control...but again in my experience, they don't. I've been ignored, cursed at (for asking when an advertised item would be available), and generally treated rudely each and every time I've gone to a Zellers. Eventually I stopped going.

I completely agree with all the above...poor customer service

 

[glenpreece]

This is exactly why I never go to Zeller`s anymore they NEVER restock their shelves. I work at Foodland and know how bad shorts can be on our orders etc. But there`s were unbelievable. And I know we all have bad days and I do too and have treated customers poorly but I`ve never sworn at a customer (no matter how much I wanted too). I must say though on a completely unrelated topic to Zeller`s customers these days are ecoming more and more ignorant and self entitled. I would NEVER act or say things to staff that get thrown at me on a daily basis. Oksay I`m done rant over.