Shoppers Drug Mart appears poised to open its third outlet in Red Deer.
On Monday, Red Deer city council approved a development permit for an 18,500-square-foot building for the pharmacy and general merchandise store in Clearview Market Square.
It will be situated on the southeast corner of the new commercial subdivision being developed west of 30th Avenue and south of 67th Street by Melcor Developments Ltd.
Jesse Rudge, development manager with Melcor’s property development division, said Shoppers is a welcome addition to Clearview Market Square and should attract other tenants.
“We consider them a junior anchor.”
Council also approved development of a Canadian Brew House near the centre of Clearview Market Square. The pub, which will operate as a franchise of the Alberta-based chain, will occupy a 6,500-square-foot building and also have a 1,200-square-foot patio.
Rudge distinguished Canadian Brew House pubs from bars, explaining that about half of their sales are food-related and more than half of their floor area is dedicated to restaurant and serving areas. Council also heard that the capacity of the Canadian Brew House in Red Deer will be 200, plus another 75 on its patio.
“It is the intent of Melcor not to create a night life atmosphere in Clearview Market, but to create an atmosphere that caters to the neighbourhood,” said Rudge in a letter to the city.
Canadian Brew House has three locations in Edmonton, plus others in Sherwood Park, Camrose and Grande Prairie. Another is planned for Lloydminster.
Roger Newton, one of the chain’s owners, said in his own letter to the city that Canadian Brew House targets customers in the 30 to 50 age range, and that most of its business is done between noon and 9:30 p.m.
The Red Deer franchise will have a local owner-operator, said Rudge.
Because the proposed Canadian Brew House premises exceeds the 6,000 square feet allowed for drinking establishments under Red Deer’s land use bylaw, a relaxation was required from council.
Rudge said the Shoppers Drug Mart and Canadian Brew House premises, as well as three commercial retail buildings previously approved for Clearview Market, should be completed midway through 2012.
“The plan is to start construction in the new year and have tenants taking possession anywhere between July and August, and then opening in the fall of that year.”
Work is currently underway on four banks with drive-throughs. They are being developed for the Royal Bank, TD Canada Trust, CIBC and Servus Credit Union.
Rudge said Loblaw Companies Ltd., which previously committed to a 29,225-square-foot grocery store in Clearview Market Square, submitted a development permit application to the city on Monday. The banner that the grocery store will operate under has not yet been announced, although Loblaw operates under the Extra Foods, Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills brands, among others.
Clearview Market Square covers about 22 acres and will ultimately boast more than 263,000 square feet of leasable space.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com