Discussions

Another Superstore and another Winners or maybe Marshall’s. And Old Navy could really fit right into that old Sobeys location by Canadian Tire. I think clothing stores are really lacking.

Total lack of kids’ clothing stores. And I don’t mean preschooler clothes. I mean school-aged options, cuz tweens and teens are kids too. And it is particularly difficult to find high quality, cool boys’ clothing! Not to mention that if you want high quality winter wear for your kids, there’s either the real low end in Brandon, or the very, very high end to choose from.  
Honestly, the fact that we have a Winners is a miracle, people!

what is there really do go down town for? the old days down towns were eveything was. now in days you cant even get your professional office people down there. that is what is in most down town cores when you look in bigger centers. the only thing you could do to bring back down town is maybe have free parking. that will inturn help spur people to business to move back since there staff and customers dont need to fight or pay for daytime parking. i understand the need for paid parking but that is the main reason i avoid down town during the day.

I would love another Superstore or extra foods!  
 
A kids clothing store as another person commented.  
 
I think we have lots of condos though.

Something similar to the old department store for whole family shopping like Zellers,Kmart, Target (like the Target in USA) Something other then Walmart

An animal hospital with overnight care.

It needs a good clean and tidy up.  
An identity to attract people.  
Much more public green and forest space.  
All Areas within city limits could be pedestrianized excepting public transport which should be improved.  
A little attractive architecture in new builds and developments so more thoughtful planning needed.  
More police on the streets.  
Isn’t there far too many chain restaurants and stores selling stuff we don’t really need already?  
 
Edited by Farmergeorge, 2021-10-08 00:43:31

Let's be realistic.  
 
Per capita, Brandon has more Superstores and Winners/Marshalls than Winnipeg or Victoria. An Old Navy could probably do well.  
 
As far as groceries, if Loblaw wanted an extra location, a No Frills might be a good fit somewhere in the city. I'd personally think that that extra competition would be good. A London Drugs and a SaveOn would be good fits for Brandon. I'm thinking London Drugs and Old Navy in the old K-Mart/Zellers Plaza lot at 34th/Vic, and SaveOn in the old Sobeys.  
 
I've always thought that a London Drugs would surprise the crap out of head office back in BC with how busy it would be, and would give their lonely Winnipeg location a provincial buddy.

I would love to see more clothing stores for alternative style/ a store that keeps my pants size in stock!  
 
If I can find a pair of jeans that fit me and there's more than one pair I buy extras. I'm not that big, just seem to be the average size. I'm also not into most girly clothes or floral patterns. I love black and skulls and different things. I really miss Ms. Fitz in the mall!

Most all of what you are asking for has been here and left because not enough people supported them.  
We already have 4 major electronics stores!  
Winners is Marshall's .  
Sobey will never give up the space beside Canadian Tire, they do not want a competitor moving in there.  
The old Kmart location is being filled with businesses.  
We have many ethnic eateries andmore coming.  
Lonon Drugs does not have anything that Shoppers Drug Mart already has.  
There must be at least 20 or more phamacies.  
Just patronize what we do get here so that they will not give up and move out.  
The bottom line is they have to make money to survive, they are not going to stay open just to please a few people.

is running out of space for leaving it open as a park.  
People need to live somewhere.  
I will agree with needing more police though.  
So Farmergeorge is traffic allowed in your small town?  
Your statement is ridiculous regarding pedestrianizing city limits.  
Please don't move to our city and run for mayor okay?

COSTCO

Everything in this post, 100%.  
 
We have some great local stores and I would prefer to patronize them so they can grow and expand instead of wishing for things we're not big enough to have.  
 
Online shopping takes a huge bite out of everything these days, to the point that bricks and mortar stores don't have nearly as much stock as they used to (even after adjusting expectations for supply chain issues). But why would Old Navy etc set up shop here when people will just order online anyway for most things? That's the way things are going.  
 
Once we hit 80-100k in Brandon proper, then we can start talking about some of those other big box retailers. If they even still exist. If we ever make it to that level of population in our lifetimes.

Costco

I don't think you've been in a London Drugs. Shopper's Drug Mart has nowhere near the variety.  
 
edit: Sobeys can only keep that location blocked until the contract is up. Shindico will eventually want an actual tenant. There will be a few pad sites built at the Kmart Plaza, and my guess is Old Navy would go stand-alone like at St Vital Centre. Also, when I think of London Drugs, the last thing I think is pharmacy, despite the name.  
 
Edited by RantsFromAfar, 2021-10-08 10:56:33

thoughts would be for an Aldi or Lidl and a shop that sells and stocks a variety of UK foods, such as Melton Mowbray pork pies, decent sausages and proper bacon, smoked haddock, fresh rabbit. Safeways sometimes has Eccles cakes but made with raisins not currants. (so technically not an Eccles cake)  
I can get some UK foods but never on a regular basis, somehow the supply chain does not work or maybe the import restrictions do not allow certain foodstuffs.

Brandon needs more people thankful for what we have and less who complain about what we don’t.

I wouldn’t live in a city for any reason. I can’t think of a worse place to live. Full of malls, traffic and stores selling imported and disposable goods.

this will never happen the big boys control that market,  
think about it , would you like to see your profit go out the window , its a numbers game , sorry - thats life  
 
maybe in 100 years, by then who cares, look at all the money spent down town, waste of time , never going to be like before, you have to change city management , not waste time talking about nothing , HAPPY THANKS GIVING

Costco just means MORE local businesses will shut down. Be careful what you wish for or we’ll end up with Costco, Wal-Mart and NOTHING else.

Your funny and soo incorrect!

Great news Farmergeorge.  
Don`t you ever have to go to a city to purchase any kind of goods?  
Thank goodness Brandon has a ton of businesses.  
You got to realize, money makes the world go round.

Only made three visits to Brandon in two years, twice for parts and once to visit one of Brandon’s few redeeming features that could attract anyone, the excellent and informative Daly house Museum.  
Brandon needs to consider the future and how it is going to decarbonize, become sustainable and attract people to visit, work, live and above all invest in the city . Brandon currently is a close clone of many other North American towns, has little character and few attractions, it’s main advantage is situation at the confluence of numbers 1 and 10 highways .  
The city needs a vision for the future to become modern and vibrant . That is going to take a lot more thought than a few extra stores selling more garbage and some extra fast food joints.  
 
Edited by Farmergeorge, 2021-10-09 08:59:59

I would like to see smoother streets to drive on,, that would be great.

That's a real slap in Brandon's face. While we're not the best city I don't think we're the worst!  
Is your town perfect? i don't know where you live and have probably never been but tell us how perfect your town is compared to Brandon. Without talking about country vs city living comparison.  
Because wouldn't we all want to live in the country.

Not a slap in the face at all. It’s a challenge. People, cities, businesses need to constantly challenge themselves . Challenge brings positive changes , new ideas and improvements that can bring real benefits and build a community.

I would consider buying a new Subaru - perhaps Forester or Outback but I won't as any warranty work would have to be done in Wpg. I think a Subaru dealership would do well in Brandon. Subaru's seem to have good reliability records from what I read.

I think an Old Navy and Home Sense could do well here.

Brandon needs another really good shoe store, like Union shoes but with more brands. Also, a clothing store with good quality dressy clothes much like The Specialty Shop used to have! But definitely better streets and a "cleaner" downtown. Just my thoughts!!

Brandon needs another really good shoe store, like Union shoes but with more brands. Also, a clothing store with good quality dressy clothes much like The Specialty Shop used to have! But definitely better streets and a "cleaner" downtown. Just my thoughts!!