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ShareTwo new stores arriving in time for Christmas
By Paige Aahrus Advocate Staff
Published: September 19, 2008 6:22 AM
The empty space that Sears left in Parkland Mall when it relocated will be filled sooner than expected.
Two new fashion retailers, Urban Planet and Labels, will set up shop in the former Sears space by the end of this year.
Both stores are opening their first Red Deer locations and both will be close to 44,000 square feet in size, said mall manager Dan Hachey.
“These are two of Canada’s main fashion players. Urban Planet brings the edgy fashion-forward look, whereas Labels caters to the entire family. They’re going to do a great job and attract a lot of customers,” he said.
Hachey hadn’t expected to fill the old Sears space until spring or fall 2009, but the retailers were eager to get arrive in time for the Christmas season, he said.
“That was a fairly quick decision, so it’s a good testament for the Red Deer retail market. After a site visit, I think it was a fairly easy decision for them. The mall is very productive and they like the opportunity there,” said Hachey.
Urban Planet is a Canadian clothing an accessory chain catering to the teenage and young-adult demographic. There are eight other stores in Alberta, but this will be the first store in Red Deer.
“This will be their largest Urban Planet store in Canada, therefore the largest Urban Planet on the planet,” said Hachey.
The store sells jewelry, tops, denim, jackets and footwear for men and women, clothing described as everything from “Brazilian chic to urban cool, the colours of the tropics to the fabrics of the Far East,” on the company website.
Labels has only one other store in Alberta, at West Edmonton Mall. Its clothing is “a broad selection of fashions that allows customers to find their own personal look and style at affordable prices,” and features casual and business attire for ages 10 to 45, said Hachey.
Based on the size of the stores, Hachey guessed each store would hire around 40 employees.
Urban Planet is slated to open in late November, with Labels following in early December.
“These stores are unique to Red Deer, terrific for the mall and we’re thrilled to have them joining us,” said Hachey.
Contact Paige Aarhus at
paarhus@reddeeradvocate.com
