Sold Les Promenades Montarville – La Relave

Les Promenades Montarville shopping center on Saint-Jacques Street in Montreal was sold to a company with no. The traders came to know about this on August 6 through email. Rumors about the center's future have multiplied ahead of the official transaction, sowing uncertainty among some retailers and hope among others that business will improve.

Last week, one of the shopping center's managers, Catherine Garzon, confirmed to La Relieve that discussions regarding the sale of the center were underway and that she would not comment on the matter.

The shopping center is owned by Manulife Life Insurance Company.

A third of the 155,000-square-foot building is vacant.

At least 15 of the 45 premises are vacant. A hair salon, Dans un Jardin boutique, tobacco shop, electronics store, Bentley, Ardenne were among the retailers that left the premises three or four years ago.

The pandemic didn't help because since then, the vacancy rate has increased. “Businesses have closed and others are at the end of their leases and tenants are not renewing,” Ms. Garzon told the newspaper a few days ago.

Novoboss closed the store permanently, but in this case, the owner retired. Le Grenier de Julie moved last year, and the Carrefour bookstore, which was slated to move, will finally close its doors on August 31.

“We are closing. It is official. The new owners have not responded to our request to renew the lease. I have been chasing them (former owners) for a year. I am not tempted to invest in new premises elsewhere,” said bookseller Regine Dosti.

A bookstore occupied the site for more than 20 years and Mr. Dosti has owned Au Carrefour bookstore for over 12 years.

Charlotte Blanchett, owner of the Canicule boutique, told the newspaper that her lease expires in December 2023. “I find it very mean. Previous employers don't want someone to resign. This is not normal. “

She opened her store 28 years ago and said the shopping center has been through five different owners in about 30 years.

“We're wondering what's going on,” says Chantal Collett, manager of Maurice's boutique. “Everyone is on standby. There are so many rumours,” she adds.

Owner of L'Éclaireur boutique, established in the mall for 27 years, Mr. Mark gives the runner a chance.

“There is a lot of speculation. Let's wait to meet them (the new owners) to know their intentions. I believe they will do things. “

Mr. Mark argued that the former managers of the center “didn't do anything, not even a sidewalk sale. The previous administration threw in the towel in the wake of the pandemic. Me too, my turnover dropped.

He believes that closing the doors of the two large businesses at each end of the center (Provigo and Canadian Tire) and providing access to the interior of the mall has helped reduce traffic.

“Even Tim Hortons couldn't resist. I still have a lease and if it doesn't suit me, I'll adjust. But with renewal, things will get better.

Rental accommodation
There are very persistent rumors that the building will be demolished to make way for a multi-story rental complex. Ms. A rumor that Garzon denied a few days ago.

“Yes, a lot of things are being said, but the shopping center will remain,” she told the newspaper.

Another rumor is that the center will remain the same, but floors will be added above to make room for rental housing.

Even here these are only speculations, although we know that the Metropolitan Community of Montreal (CMM) identified this sector for increased urban density as part of the new version of the Metropolitan Development and Development Plan (PMAD 2.0) that will eventually be adopted.

As for the City of Boucherville, it does not appear that any requests for a zoning amendment have been made.