Shoppers grab last-minute items before new Alberta restrictions kick in
Open this photo in gallery Shoppers are shown at West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. Stricter capacity restrictions for retail stores start Sunday. AMBER BRACKEN/The Canadian Press
New COVID-19 measures go into effect Sunday in Alberta and shoppers appear to be taking advantage of the last days of looser retail rules by hitting up centres such as West Edmonton Mall.
The retail behemoth, one of the biggest in the world, covers the equivalent of 48 city blocks. On Wednesday, it was quieter inside than what retail workers are used to this time of year, but still busy.
A steady stream of people window-shopped and strolled along while keeping distance. Stickers with arrows plastered on the floor funnel customers in the right direction. Almost every store has signs reminding customers to practise physical distancing.
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On Tuesday, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced tighter public-health measures to try to control the virus that has been spreading wildly for weeks. They include the closure of casinos, gyms, hair salons and indoor service at restaurants and bars.
The restrictions also require retail stores to reduce their capacity even further to 15 per cent from 25.
Kim Goralchuk heard about the new limit and decided to rush to the mall during her lunch break to pick up some items from Asian grocery market T and T.
“(I’m) just buying some last-minute stuff and bubble tea,” Goralchuk said. “I know that T and T is going to be busy, so I want to go now before they tighten things up even more and I have to line up outside.”
The mall’s takeout food area was about one-quarter full as people, masks sitting under their chins, grabbed a bite for lunch. Most followed the arrows on the ground, but there were several who walked against the flow.
The water park and ice rink were also open, but there were only a few people at either.
Lisa-Marie House decided to go for a swim with her son at the indoor pool.
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“Being a mother of a two-year-old … it’s worrying,” said House, who added she had a lot of trouble keeping her toddler entertained during last spring’s lockdown.
“That’s why we came out today, trying to enjoy the last couple of days before it’s shut down.”
West Edmonton Mall said in an email that it’s working closely with Alberta Health Services and the province on all restrictions and guidelines, including capacity.
“At this time, all mall entrances will remain open as we have procedures in place to ensure that all capacity restrictions are in place and enforced.”
A store manager at one of the more than 800 shops in the mall said she was expecting it to get busy on Friday and Saturday. She also said she has to lay off several of her 20 employees by Sunday because of the reduced capacity limit.
Last month in Calgary, the Chinook shopping centre reported a case of COVID-19 in the mall. Police were also called to the mall on Black Friday to break up fights between teens.
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Cadillac Fairview, the company that owns and operates Chinook Centre, did not provide an interview or statement to The Canadian Press.
Despite the confirmed case at the Calgary mall, shopping is “extremely low risk” when it comes to the spread of COVID-19,” said John Graham of the Retail Council of Canada.
“Retail restrictions are more about disrupting the normal movement of citizens and keeping more Albertans home.”
Graham said Manitoba’s move to restrict in-store shopping to essential goods has only driven shoppers online and away from smaller retailers that need the business.
“If you are a furniture store, a jewellery store or a mattress store, then you need the ability for customers to come in to continue to buy your products, so allowing some people to flow through the doors is extremely helpful to keep those businesses going.”
Dr. James Talbot, a professor of public health at the University of Alberta, said imposing 15 per cent capacity inside malls, not just shops, is a good start.
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“What we really don’t want to see is over-crowded malls and lineups with people not obeying social distancing.”
But he noted that malls and stores do not have to wait until Sunday to implement the new measures.
“Just because the government isn’t going to start punishing people until Sunday, doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t exercise our common sense and do the right thing now.”
Alberta had been the only province without a sweeping mask rule, although many communities were already mandating face coverings.
Talbot stressed people in communities where mask bylaws were not passed should still wear one in indoor public places and not wait until the weekend.
“When there is exponential growth (in COVID-19 cases), every day counts,” he said.
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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
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Two stores to close in St. Albert Centre
Jillian Creech, St. Albert Centre mall manager, said she could not speak to the closure of the two stores or future plans. However, the mall had seen a two-per-cent growth in sales over the last year since new retailers have moved into the renovated space.
Peoples Jewellers was one of the first businesses to open at the mall 40 years ago. BRITTANY GERVAIS/St. Albert Gazette
1 / 1 Peoples Jewellers was one of the first businesses to open at the mall 40 years ago. BRITTANY GERVAIS/St. Albert Gazette
Two stores, Peoples Jewellers and Stokes, are closing at the St. Albert Centre mall.
Last week, a salesperson at Peoples Jewellers said they found out the store would be closing to customers on March 24. Signs hanging in the window advertised a 20- to 50-per-cent off sale.
The jewelry store was one of the first businesses to open at the mall 40 years ago.
“We don’t know why yet, (head office) technically doesn’t tell us any details,” said Suzanne Martel, who had worked at the store for the past four years. “We have no clue what is going on.”
Peoples Jewellers is the largest retailer of fine jewellery in Canada, with nearly 150 locations from the Maritimes to British Columbia.
Martel estimated around eight other people are working at the St. Albert location.
“Well for myself and one of my other coworkers, who has been here for 22 years, we are older women. It’s going to be hard to find another job,” she said.
Another coworker, who asked to remain anonymous, said their store sees a lot of senior customers who will now have to travel to the Kingsway Mall in Edmonton for the next closest Peoples location.
Employees at the St. Albert Stokes location said a closing date hadn’t been confirmed yet, and declined to comment on the store’s closure. ‘Store closing’ signs hang in the windows, along with signs advertising a 10- to 50-per-cent off sale.
Last month, the kitchenware and home decor retailer announced it will be “reducing its retail footprint in Canada” and streamlining its head office operations in Montreal. The Stokes Retail Group has over 150 locations across the country.
“After many years of solid financial performance, Stokes, like most other retailers, is adapting to fundamental changes in the industry, including how customers shop,” the company stated in a press release.
“The company will continue investing in its online business which has experienced material growth over the last few years.”
Stokes noted it will be closing its less profitable stores, but will maintain a majority of retail locations across Canada. The Stokes store had opened with the redevelopment of the new wing of St. Albert Centre in 2017, after Target vacated the 117,000-square-foot space in 2015.
Jillian Creech, St. Albert Centre mall manager, said she could not speak to the closure of the two stores or future plans. However, the mall had seen a two-per-cent growth in sales over the last year since new retailers have moved into the renovated space.
The closure of Peoples Jewellers and Stokes follows the shutdown of three other businesses in the mall in recent months.
Carlton Cards announced its closure in late January after parent company, Schurman Retail Group, announced the closure of all its retail stores in North America.
The local Things Engraved store shut its doors in early January immediately after the company announced the closure of all its storefronts in Canada, citing an inability to compete with online retailers.
Montreal-based Bentley Leathers also closed its St. Albert location in December after the retailer announced it would be shedding its underperforming stores.
20 people assessed after tear gas deployed in jewelry store robbery at Calgary’s Sunridge Mall - Calgary
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Sunridge Mall in northeast Calgary was evacuated after suspects used tear gas during an armed robbery at Paris Jewellers on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., according to police.
Tear gas got into the vents, prompting the whole mall to be evacuated.
Police said the chemical went through the mall quickly, causing a “hectic scene” due to how many people were affected.
The Calgary Fire Department said at least 20 people were treated after being affected by the chemical.
The CFD said it used high-volume fans to clear out the HVAC system, noting that the department and police officers would be on scene for several hours.
View image in full screen Calgary emergency crews evacuated Sunridge Mall on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, after suspects robbed a jewelry store using tear gas. Adam MacVicar/Global News
Officers are looking for three suspects.
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Two male suspects robbed the store and got away with “some merchandise,” police said, adding they were not able to provide an estimate of its value.
“During the robbery, the men threatened jewellery store staff with firearms,” police said in a news release.
The first suspect wore a Puma hoodie, blue jeans, white gloves and a surgical mask, and carried a green shopping bag.
The second suspect was wearing a black motorcycle helmet and black gloves. He had a black duffle bag.
Police released CCTV footage of two suspects in a robbery at Sunridge Mall in Calgary on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2020. Courtesy: Calgary Police Service
When they left the mall, they got away in a stolen, beige Volkswagen SUV driven by a female with pink hair, the third suspect.
Sunridge Mall decided to close for the rest of the day.
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Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
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