Maybe it’s because Canadian Tire money is now so easily accessible. Perhaps it’s a rainbow of paint colours are their fingertips.
Either way, Betlline residents are buzzing over the new addition to their neighbourhood, with the opening of a Canadian Tire on the second floor of a building on 16 Avenue SW at 8 Street on Oct. 18.
Tyler Guluche a former Beltline resident, who happened to pop by the new location Monday, said he was surprised to see the store, fitting in nicely among your typical smaller scale retail stores in the area.
“I think it’s good for the area because it’s a one-stop shop, it has everything people need,” he said, noting the location is perfect for walkers and bikers to access.
“It’s good to have something like this in the Beltline.”
That’s exactly why the Beltline Neighbourhoods Association (BNA) proclaimed Oct. 18 as “Beltline Retail Independence Day” on Twitter. According to BNA president Peter Oliver, said there’s now no reason for people to have to hop in their cars and drive to either Deerfoot Meadows or West Hills for things they need.
“It’s the last piece of the retail puzzle for Beltline residents,” Oliver said.
“A hardware store was the last type of store we were missing.”
October 18th will forever be remembered as Beltline Retail Independence Day!
Please welcome @CanadianTire to the neighbourhood.
And yes, they sell GT Snowracers. #yycbeltline #yyc pic.twitter.com/xipMmTc919
— Beltline Neighbourhoods Association (@yycbeltline) October 20, 2018
While it’s certainly a shiny new fixture that provides new amenities to residents, Oliver said it’s also a great example of a modern alternative for big box retail with acres of sprawling parking lots.
But, don’t worry, there’s still a place to park. An underground parkade is available for those looking to access the new store on four wheels.
It’s expected the street level floor of the building will house an Urban Fare grocery store at some point in the near future.
Just as retailers once followed residents to the suburbs – population growth in the inner-city is luring retail back to the core. On another note, PSA: @CanadianTire now open in @yycbeltline #yyc #yycplan pic.twitter.com/SNi9EOpZsz
— Rylan Graham (@RylanGraham) October 19, 2018
Chris, an area resident, said it was great that new buildings like this were opening in the area, but he wasn’t going to get much use out of it.
“I’m trying to think of what I’d need at Canadian Tire right now and it’s close to nothing,” he laughed.
“It’s nice to have it if I do need something for sure.”
