Future of HMV location in Bower Place remains uncertain
Music lovers will have to wait to see if Red Deer’s Bower Place HMV location will be picked up by music retailer Sunrise Records.
The Toronto-based company announced earlier this week it will take over 70 of HMV’s 102 stores. A handful of stores were announced from Burnaby, B.C. to Saint Bruno, Que., including HMV’s huge two-storey location at the West Edmonton Mall.
However, a decision on other locations isn’t expected until late this week or early next week.
“Currently, we’re not divulging what all of the locations are,” said Cristina Fernandes, of Listen Harder Music Publicity. “We’re not going to announce those for another few days.”
Related story: HMV closing
Fernandes’ phone has been ringing off the hook since the news release on Sunrise’s plans went out.
Sunrise president Doug Putman has said part of his expansion plan includes a commitment to hire HMV employees.
HMV is planning to close its stores by the end of April.
Meanwhile, work continues on filling the Bower Place’s former Target store, which is to be redesigned into smaller spaces.
“We’re working on a plan that we think the city is going to really like, and the community,” said Tara Brockleman, director of leasing at Bentall LP, which owns the mall. “The architects are working like mad with our team to try and come up with a revised plan for that building.”