Circa: from disco to discount (Image: Divya Thakur)
The former site of Circa nightclub is going to be one of the first Canadian locations of Marshalls, the U.S. counterpart to Winners, reports the Toronto Star. The 50,000-square-foot John Street space is one of four spots lined up; Warden and Eglinton, the Colossus Centre and the Durham Centre are all slated for a spring opening (the downtown Marshalls will open later in 2011).
Like Winners (tag line: find fabulous for less), Marshalls carries discounted clothes and housewares (tag line: never pay full price for fabulous) but with more of an emphasis on shoes and kidswear. From the Star:
The U.S. parent company, The TJX Cos. Inc., is likely to want Marshalls to complement rather than compete with Winners, said Frances Gunn, an assistant professor at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management.
Comparing it to Best Buy and Future Shop, two consumer electronics chains that belong to the same parent, Gunn said: “The whole idea is to eat up as much of the available market share as possible in one organization.”
So, in other words, watch out Sears and The Bay.
• U.S. discounter Marshalls to open GTA store [Toronto Star]
YES!! This is great news, lets just ensure they bring the same low prices and quality stuff to Toronto. (Think 800 thread counts sheets @ usd$49.99!)
December 15, 2010 at 10:53 am | by PeeWHOOT! Marshall’s is my go-to store when I’m in Florida. Here’s hoping we get the same great deals as in the States.
December 16, 2010 at 7:40 am | by Knotigalyeahhh will the prices be the same in canada as they are in the USA ???
December 16, 2010 at 11:37 am | by asEEK with excitement! Ross and TJMaxx I think are better than Marshalls for price but this is definitely a welcome to Canada!
December 16, 2010 at 1:00 pm | by Toronto JenSo much for keeping the remodeled classy. High end boutique hotels and discount malls. Whoop-dee-doo. Dah!
December 16, 2010 at 1:12 pm | by Too badI love this! It’s my favourite go-to store to hit up when doing the good ol’ Buffalo shopping rounds. Amazing. I’m estatic!!!
December 16, 2010 at 4:31 pm | by MemoirsSeriously? Marshalls is a slightly less classy version of Winners/TJMaxx. You’re less likely to find discounted higher end items at Marshalls. Also, a lot of stores in the US are more run down looking than TJ Maxx.
As for prices, every store’s going to carry different items based on demographic demand.
December 22, 2010 at 10:37 am | by CynthiaI have gotten Banana Republic shoes for less than $40 at a grubby Marshall’s in Florida–like anywhere, it’s all about the great find. Bring it on! Winners has never been as good as most TJMAXX and Marshall’s.
December 22, 2010 at 2:35 pm | by HogtownmikeWinners has gone DOWN in quality over the last year. It’s almost unbearable to shop there now. I hope Marshalls will provide Canadians with something alot better.
March 14, 2011 at 12:47 pm | by FrancesGreat news it would be a positive step for the economy of Canada.
http://www.dirspider.com
October 3, 2011 at 10:57 am | by Philip MorrisThere’s already a location on Weston Rd and Hwy 7. It opened quite some time ago, fyi.
November 22, 2011 at 12:51 am | by Brownie