Calgary Openings, Closings, and Developments

[Macman]

I see that old motel around 90th Ave and McLeod has been demolished and looks like a car wash being built there now.

Stetson Inn was the name of it.

https://livewirecalgary.com/2020/10/...s-in-business/

[jayswin]

Yeah, I believe it's going to be one of those high end ones. Hopefully, it is.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Best Buy in Beacon Hills is gone. That's a very recent development I think

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Just came to post the same thing. Was only here 2nd week of January to get my Tax program and some other stuff. Remember first it was a Future Shop and I swear the change over wasn’t that long ago… maybe 2years?

Is there a NW replacement or is it northland now? Another sign big box stores are having tough times.

[getbak]

All the Future Shops were closed almost 7 years ago, in March 2015.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by getbak

All the Future Shops were closed almost 7 years ago, in March 2015.

They were simply ahead of their time.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by getbak

All the Future Shops were closed almost 7 years ago, in March 2015.

And really they were basically dead long before that. That was just when the last of them closed.

[agulati]

Originally Posted by jayswin

And really they were basically dead long before that. That was just when the last of them closed.

It was more of consolidating the Best Buy brand IMO. Best Buy owned Future Shop, and they used to have so many locations that were close to each other, and direct competitors. It just didn’t make sense.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by agulati

It was more of consolidating the Best Buy brand IMO. Best Buy owned Future Shop, and they used to have so many locations that were close to each other, and direct competitors. It just didn’t make sense.

Yup, just like Indigo and Chapters

[GGG]

Originally Posted by agulati

It was more of consolidating the Best Buy brand IMO. Best Buy owned Future Shop, and they used to have so many locations that were close to each other, and direct competitors. It just didn’t make sense.

That was in the early days of online knowledge. Most people didn’t know that Best Buy and Future Shop we’re one company. The idea was twofold. Block competitors from getting key real estate locations and create the illusion of competition because people like to shop at more than 1 place before making a purchase.

[sleepingmoose]

I could be wrong, but I don’t think Best Buy always owned Future Shop - Best Buy purchased them at some point after moving up from the US. So they were actual competitors at one point.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by sleepingmoose

I could be wrong, but I don’t think Best Buy always owned Future Shop - Best Buy purchased them at some point after moving up from the US. So they were actual competitors at one point.

The way I remember it is that Best Buy came to Canada and didn't have their employees work for commission like Futureshop did, which meant it was a vastly superior experience for the customers. Futureshop was basically already dead by the time BB bought them, which I'm guessing was simply a real estate deal for them considering how many old FS stores ended up getting rebranded to Best Buy

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

The way I remember it is that Best Buy came to Canada and didn't have their employees work for commission like Futureshop did, which meant it was a vastly superior experience for the customers. Futureshop was basically already dead by the time BB bought them, which I'm guessing was simply a real estate deal for them considering how many old FS stores ended up getting rebranded to Best Buy

Back in yonder yore days or Northland Mall... when they had both BB and FS only about 100m apart it was easy to "price shop" by walking back and forth.
I didn't realize FS went under 7yrs ago. Wow.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

Just came to post the same thing. Was only here 2nd week of January to get my Tax program and some other stuff. Remember first it was a Future Shop and I swear the change over wasn’t that long ago… maybe 2years?

Is there a NW replacement or is it northland now? Another sign big box stores are having tough times.

I think Northland is the only one in the NW now. From Tuscany the West Hills store would be the next closest option, assuming it’s still there.

[getbak]

Future Shop had been around since the 80s, with a big expansion push in the 90s, including opening a bunch of stores in the States. Their US endeavor failed, but they were pretty much the only game in town in Canada (except for a few smaller players, like A&B Sound).

Best Buy bought Future Shop in 2001 and ran the two brands as competitors when they started opening Best Buy branded stores in 2002. Like at Northland, Deerfoot Meadows, and Sunridge, they often opened both brands in very close proximity to each other.

They operated as separate brands for over a decade.

[Bigtime]

Oh the memories of browsing the PC games at Future Shop Northland Village. Nostalgia.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by getbak

Future Shop had been around since the 80s, with a big expansion push in the 90s, including opening a bunch of stores in the States. Their US endeavor failed, but they were pretty much the only game in town in Canada (except for a few smaller players, like A&B Sound).

Best Buy bought Future Shop in 2001 and ran the two brands as competitors when they started opening Best Buy branded stores in 2002. Like at Northland, Deerfoot Meadows, and Sunridge, they often opened both brands in very close proximity to each other.

They operated as separate brands for over a decade.

My favourite joke around the time they sunset the Futureshop brand was along the lines of “BestBuy embarrassed to learn it’s been running identical stores directly across from eachother for the last 10 years.”

But yeah that was a strange time in Canadian retail.

[Ozy_Flame]

I loved Future Shop, browsing their stores was part of what helped get me into the career I have today. Yeah it's nerdy, but Future Shop was a big part of my youth. I do think about that place regularly.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by agulati

It was more of consolidating the Best Buy brand IMO. Best Buy owned Future Shop, and they used to have so many locations that were close to each other, and direct competitors. It just didn’t make sense.

Originally Posted by GGG

That was in the early days of online knowledge. Most people didn’t know that Best Buy and Future Shop we’re one company. The idea was twofold. Block competitors from getting key real estate locations and create the illusion of competition because people like to shop at more than 1 place before making a purchase.

I don't feel that's how it was back in the day myself. I recall the media being pretty heavy on stating that Best Buy had purchased Future Shop and everyone I hung around knew it right away and speculated it was a countdown until Best Buy closed the Future Shop brand.

I remember everyone always joking that the same store would release two flyers under different names each week to make you feel like you were choosing between competitors.

[Calgary14]

Compared to BB I couldnt stand Future Shop because of the commissions. You'd get bombarded as soon as you walked into the store. BB staff were/are helpful but not pushy. That said - Future Shop was annoying but nothing compared to the Brick

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Compared to BB I couldnt stand Future Shop because of the commissions. You'd get bombarded as soon as you walked into the store. BB staff were/are helpful but not pushy. That said - Future Shop was annoying but nothing compared to the Brick

I found it fine. I'd know exactly what I wanted walk in, get accosted, and start sending them out to be my personal shoppers, while I browsed the video game aisle. They'd come by with my camera, memory card, camera case etc, and I'd go pay and get out. It was great.