Weekly News Review: Bye Bye Sears, welcoming Bordeleau & McDonald, Ottawa Distillery district and more!
Photo courtesy of Lazy_Artist on Flickr. A weird feeling of sadness and excitement came to me when I heard the Rideau Centre Sears was closing. I felt bad for 200 or so individuals that are losing their jobs, but my attention soon turned to what could take over the big vacant space left by Sears’ departure. Would a Simons be interested in coming to Ottawa? Is this finally what H&M has been waiting for to dive into the Ottawa market? Alternatively, the space could be redivided into smaller sections to bring about greater diversity. What would you like to see pop up in the Sears space? Let us know in the comments section.
A couple of big city positions were filled in the past week. First off, we have a new CEO at the Ottawa Public Library Head Librarian. Barrhaven Councillor Jan Harder, who chairs the Ottawa Public Library Board, announced the appointment of Danielle McDonald in a news release Tuesday evening. McDonald is replacing Barbara Clubb who announced her retirement a few months ago. Ottawa’s new police Chief was also announced this week. Charles Bordeleau is replacing Vern White, who recently got appointed to the Senate. One of Bordeleau’s top priorities as head of the police force will be to restore public trust following the Stacy Bonds case. We wish them both well in their new functions.
Positive outcomes came out of Hélène Campbell’s plea for more organ donations. Campbell, who needs a double lung transplant was able to get the attention of folks like Justin Bieber and Ellen Degeneres to help raise awareness about organ donations. The result: the beadonor.ca donor list skyrocketed following the media spotlight.
Last week, I briefly wrote about the demolition of the Groundwood Pulp Mill. It looks like some of the surrounding buildings, also owned by Domtar, may be sold and put to better use instead of getting the old heave-ho. The key term here is maybe, but there’s reason to get excited. The company behind the revamp of Toronto’s Distillery District is potentially interested in purchasing the buildings from Domtar to renovate them into something “the company and local residents would be proud of” according to a spokesman. Stay tuned for more…
H&M needs to be placed in Rideau. We are the capital city of Canada and we dont have one.. I usually go to Montreal just to shop at H&M thats a 2 hour drive.
H&M hopefully?
If Nordsrom's is taking over, it's most likely going to be a call centre.
Simon's or H&M already!! I've left several feedbacks with H&M chiding them for not being in Ottawa. Watch a Canadian Tire / Marks combo end up taking it over. I must be jaded. :)
I would love to see H&M in Ottawa. Simons would be fantastic too!
H&M, please. Seriously Ottawa, its about time. Or perhaps an H&M and Simons split!
I would love to see a TARGET go in there!
i'd prefer not to see anymore US stories in the Rideau Centre. they are all the same. i'd love a grocery store or a liquor store right there, or perhaps a restaurant. or a value village or some kind of 2nd hand store, but they couldn't afford the rent, alas. i'm sad about Sears demise at the Rideau Centre, but not surprised. these department stores make a good case for shopping on line; they are usually without clerks or staff to ring in sales; they are messy & cluttered.
The Chaudière Island has tremendous potential. The destruction of these historical buildings must stop. It's really too bad the City of Ottawa and the City of Gatineau are letting these structures go to waste. I know it's expensive to restore, but restoring them if the first step to create a viable tourist and pleasance destination.
Not sure if anyone else is as interested, but Anne DesBrisay, the restaurant reviewer of the Ottawa Citizen has parted ways with the paper. For me at least, she was the reason I would read the paper every Thursday; it's quite disheartening to see such a terrific writer being let go from the Citizen just to make way for a "new voice and perspective"... whoever it is, they have big shoes to fill. Luckily, Anne will continue to write reviews on her own blog and I for one, will continue to follow. http://www.capitaldining.ca/2012/comings-and-goings/time-for-a-change/
Husband told me that Nordstrom's is filling the soon-to-be vacant Sears space. If it's true, we couldn't wish for a better choice! I used to make the Vancouver to Seattle run to shop Nordy's (and Nordy's Rack). Glad to see some other higher end menswear options in town plus it adds a little spice to the higher-end/fashion forward women's wear space.