Today was the "Grand Opening" of the new London Drugs on Broadway (inside The Vine). I’m not sure why I was expecting more, but wow, was there a real lack of Grand. Other than a balloon making clown and some managerial looking types handing out flyers, there was absolutely nothing to mark the opening of this big new store. No music. No drinks. No cake.
I guess the "grand" only referred to the sale. Apparently there was a line-up in the morning before the store opened and when I was there at around 10.30am (naively thinking that there might be some fun to be had) the place was absolutely packed with people loading up their shopping carts. The whole place just looked and felt joyless. Oh well.
At the end of the day this is of course what they are all about; offering a wide array of products at very affordable prices. And that in itself makes people joyous I guess. But a piece of cake would have been nice.
Last modified: June 2, 2008
With IGA moving into the bottom of this building as well, what will happen to the IGA and Liquor Store on Broadway @ Maple do you know? I remember hearing talk of a Home Depot, but I don’t know what happened with that.
I will be posting about the new IGA in the next couple of days, but I overheard a conversation in the existing IGA that suggests that they will keep that location open for now.
If I have my facts straight (and I may very well not) Home Depot still owns the land but has shelved any plans for building a store for now after initial neighbourhood opposition and after the then council put in a retail cap of 10,000sqft for the Arbutus and Broadway area.
London Drugs has a street team in front of Shoppers Drug Mart tonight handing out coupons – we may turf battle for the drug market on our hands!