Toronto Union Station Revitalization | ?m | ?s | City of Toronto | NORR

IMO Sephora is a solid pick for a major tenant. Their stores are always busy, and I their closest location otherwise is in the Eaton Centre, which is probably far enough away it won't compete with a Union store too much. It may not be the most exciting choice, but it should draw shoppers to Union, and therefore the more unique retail units as well.

Also, better than yet another bank branch (i mean, we're already getting a TD bank here, no more please) or a shoppers drug mart/rexall.
 
TossYourJacket said:
IMO Sephora is a solid pick for a major tenant. Their stores are always busy, and I their closest location otherwise is in the Eaton Centre, which is probably far enough away it won't compete with a Union store too much. It may not be the most exciting choice, but it should draw shoppers to Union, and therefore the more unique retail units as well.

Also, better than yet another bank branch (i mean, we're already getting a TD bank here, no more please) or a shoppers drug mart/rexall.
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I agree it’s a good pick. It will draw lots of customers to Union, and help to make the shopping area busy. There’s nothing worse than an empty mall.

Northern Light said:
There is a real mix coming.

Like the rest of the station's retail.

A mix of curated local names, big chains and likely some first-to-market too.
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Imagine if they let a cannabis store into Union. Great for travellers heading to dry Mississauga, Oakville and York Region, but I can’t see this ever happening (sadly).
 
SaugeenJunction said:
Imagine if they let a cannabis store into Union. Great for travellers heading to dry Mississauga, Oakville and York Region, but I can’t see this ever happening (sadly).
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Why not? Cannabis is a legal product, alcohol is sold in Union station already, an LCBO location was previously in the station and I believe is slated for a return. Unless the contract (signed in 2009, long before legalization) between Osmington & the city prevents this, I can't think of why it can't happen.
 
max said:
Why not? Cannabis is a legal product, alcohol is sold in Union station already, an LCBO location was previously in the station and I believe is slated for a return. Unless the contract (signed in 2009, long before legalization) between Osmington & the city prevents this, I can't think of why it can't happen.
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The main knock on one would the silly provincial rules about blacked-out windows (ie. a store you can't see into).
 
I hope Union station gets retailers you can't find anywhere else in Toronto. Like a payday loan shop, a cannabis retailer, and a pizza shop... in that order as you walk from work to the train to maximize convenience. I always tell friends that are thinking of opening a business you really can't find a good pizza in Toronto.
 
Well if Union doesn't get one, some other PATH landlord should. @SaugeenJunction is right in noting that some GO riders are heading to places that have banned cannabis shops. Right now I don't see any retailers in the financial district. If you make it convenient for them to get on their way home they probably will to avoid driving to grab it somewhere else.
 
max said:
Well if Union doesn't get one, some other PATH landlord should. @SaugeenJunction is right in noting that some GO riders are heading to places that have banned cannabis shops. Right now I don't see any retailers in the financial district. If you make it convenient for them to get on their way home they probably will to avoid driving to grab it somewhere else.
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The CBSA, US CBP and Foreign Affairs may have something to do with it.

There is ONE train, the Maple Leaf that heads to the US from Union.

I wonder if there is concern about "Duty Free Cannabis" so to speak. People buying it at Union trying to bring it back to the US.
 
Richard White said:
The CBSA, US CBP and Foreign Affairs may have something to do with it.

There is ONE train, the Maple Leaf that heads to the US from Union.

I wonder if there is concern about "Duty Free Cannabis" so to speak. People buying it at Union trying to bring it back to the US.
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They probably won't? But it is a good point that pot shop make for a rather poor shopping experience for the mall itself.

AoD
 
Richard White said:
The CBSA, US CBP and Foreign Affairs may have something to do with it.

There is ONE train, the Maple Leaf that heads to the US from Union.

I wonder if there is concern about "Duty Free Cannabis" so to speak. People buying it at Union trying to bring it back to the US.
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Non-issue.

****

But you did remind me by way of this post............that I don't believe any allowance was made in the design for pre-clearance customs facilities; which are currently contemplated for Montreal.

While overkill for one international train daily.......... Amtrak's service plan calls for that to rise to 3 trains daily by the early 2030's (or sooner).

A second Maple Leaf is planned, as is a new service to Chicago via Detroit.

As such, it might seem wise to set aside room in the design of new Mx led station expansion to allow for such a facility.
 
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Richard White said:
The CBSA, US CBP and Foreign Affairs may have something to do with it.

There is ONE train, the Maple Leaf that heads to the US from Union.

I wonder if there is concern about "Duty Free Cannabis" so to speak. People buying it at Union trying to bring it back to the US.
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Yeah, I admit I forgot Union is an international train station, and taking cannabis over the border isn't viewed kindly by our souther neighbours. I think you're right and that's something that might impact with whom Osmington could sign a lease.

Duty-free is not an issue, as far as I'm aware no one sells it duty-free in Canada. The word I think you're looking for is "smuggling".

Ultimately, if people want to try and take it over the border, it's not a problem for the retailer or the landlord. If a store did open they might put up a sign reminding people that it's illegal as a service to US customers that are unaware. I'd expect VIA to have such signs already.
 
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