It’s almost here, everyone! And by “it” we’re referring to the arrival of Saks and Nordstrom in Toronto, both set to open their doors in the coming months (mark your calendars, people!). It wasn’t long ago that we were hit with sudden news of the American luxury giants making their way north of the border. And with talk of these big leagues set to infiltrate the Canadian retail game, we were left to wonder where homegrown establishments would stand. Of course, these questions will soon be addressed when we enter 2016. Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot of what you have to look forward to:
Earlier this week, Saks Fifth Avenue announced details regarding the first two Toronto stores opening, with the Toronto Eaton Centre location slated to be unveiled on February 18, 2016. After enduring the endless construction and congestion while walking in and around the Eaton Centre area, we couldn’t be any more relieved. The 163,000-square-foot space will feature a swank food hall in affiliation with luxury grocer Pusateri’s, as well as a restaurant concept by Oliver & Bonacini, which is set to occupy a total of three floors and will surely lure in the overflow of patrons vying for a seat at The Gabardine. The luxury titan’s Sherway Gardens outpost is slated to open its doors a week later, on February 25.
Also nearing its projected completion date in Toronto is Nordstrom. With addresses in Calgary, Vancouver and Ottawa already up and running, GTA-ers will have to wait until fall 2016, when locations at the Eaton Centre and Yorkdale are scheduled to open on September 16 and October 21, respectively (Sherway Gardens is slated for spring 2017).
And on the already-established front, come fall 2017 Hermès will be moving its Toronto boutique—currently situated at 130 Bloor St.—to the two-storey space that once housed Williams-Sonoma, which in turn will enable the luxury French brand to essentially double its retail presence on the Mink Mile. Chanel has also announced the relocation of its Yorkville flagship. By January 2017, the boutique will have vacated the Bloor St. space it has occupied since 1989 and will take over the Teatro Verde building on Yorkville Avenue, just two blocks away.
Although we can’t predict how everything is going to pan out there’s one thing we are definitely sure of: you better start saving now.
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