It’s got consumers’ banking needs covered. Now Clearview Market Square is shaping up to be a good destination for grocery shopping and perhaps even sipping a beer.
Loblaw Companies Ltd. has committed to a 29,225-square-foot building in the Melcor Developments Ltd.’s new commercial centre west of 30th Avenue and south of 67th Street, confirmed Melcor development manager Jesse Rudge.
“We don’t know what banner they’re going to hang. We won’t know that until next year.”
A subsidiary of George Weston Ltd., Loblaw operates under the Extra Foods, Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills names, among others. Rudge said the company also has a new concept store that he’s hoping will find its way to Red Deer.
Securing a grocery anchor will help attract other tenants, he said. But there’s already “a lot of momentum” on the leasing front.
Rudge is preparing development permit applications for five other buildings, including several multi-tenant buildings.
If all goes well, construction of these could begin early next year and tenants be able to open by fall 2012.
Four banks — Royal Bank, TD Canada Trust, CIBC and Servus Credit Union — were previously confirmed for Clearview Market Square, with building of these well under way.
One of the development permits Melcor will be seeking is for a 6,500-square-foot-building for The Canadian Brewhouse — an Alberta-based chain known for its diverse selection of draft beers, as well as its food.
Rudge said the project faces a challenge in that its size exceeds that allowed by the city for a drinking establishment. Consequently, a variance will likely be needed from council.
The Canadian Brewhouse is by no means a nightclub, stressed Rudge, with food accounting for half of its sales. The Red Deer business’s proposed seating is for 180, well below the approximately 300 allowed for a bar, and it will have an older target market.
If development approval is obtained, Rudge expects construction of The Canadian Brewhouse building could begin by early spring.
Clearview Market Square covers about 22 acres and will boast more than 263,000 square feet of leasable space.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate