Ian White explores, and is left unimpressed with, his neighbourhood's retail renaissance

A retail renaissance is underway in my neighbourhood.
It’s hardly a revelation.
As new developments were being built in Calgary’s northwest, I had visions of cozy coffee shops, a corner pub to watch the game, a date night-worthy restaurant, maybe a bookstore with authors signing their works.
A place to experience community.
Instead, we got two grocery stores, two liquor stores, two pet stores, two dental practices and two – yes two – Dollaramas.
If you can’t find a plastic spatula made in China at one Dollarama, you’re certain to find it at the other one roughly a kilometre away.
Granted, the two grocery stores – a Save-On-Foods and a Superstore – are welcome additions, both shortening the drive from our community to get weekly staples.
The development at Trinity Hills started coming together during the pandemic, and had elements of mixed-use planning many civic governments tend to favour, nowadays.
Connected to the grocery store is an apartment complex, guaranteeing a ready-made clientele.
Urban planners often endorse communities that enable residents to live, work, play and shop in the same area, and as we endured pandemic health measures, keeping a mask handy for every trip to the grocery store, I looked forward to the shopping area opening.
I thought the vitality of a lively retail district, along with the lifting of measures, would be the bright spot we had all looked forward to.
I was disappointed.
Perhaps the tenants at these two developments reveal something about where retail is going.
Dollarama shares have been on a constant upward trajectory since 2019.
Its profits have risen from more than $500 million a year to nearly $750 million.
Dollarama told me, “New stores are opened only when and where we are confident that we can bring convenience and value to our communities and customers.”
And while two new stores within walking distance of each other might make sense to Dollarama, the picture is grim for restaurants.
The Trinity Hills development has plenty of unleased space set aside which no restaurant chain has claimed.
I had hoped to ask the developer about its philosophy toward community building and retail attraction, but it did not respond to my requests.
There’s no doubt there’s a place for discount retail.
Certainly, the market in Calgary would indicate there’s a need for it.
Sociologists and urban planners talk about “third places,” sites outside of home and work where people can gather and get to know each other.
Churches, bowling alleys and service clubs once served this purpose.
I had hoped these brand new, shiny retail developments would bring more to the community than chain stores and perhaps even create a new third place.
Even one will do.
--
As journalists, we often come across a story, person, place or situation that leaves a lasting impression and we wish we could share more with our viewers than the 90 seconds television allows.
Postscript gives us a place to present those little extras and dig a little deeper into those stories that most interest Albertans.
We are pleased to share the more memorable moments from some of our most experienced reporters and anchors with our viewers...
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Federal dental insurance program to be phased in over 2024, benefits to start in May
The new federal dental insurance plan will be phased in gradually over 2024, with the first claims likely to be processed in May, government officials said ahead of a formal announcement scheduled for Monday morning.
'We're trying not to break down': Sask. family desperate to find their loved one last seen in Toronto
The family of 39-year-old Lesley Sparvier has been trying to find and locate her after she left home on foot in Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Sask. on Nov. 28.
Buckingham Palace releases this year’s Christmas card
Buckingham Palace released an image of the Christmas card that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be sending out this year.
Iowa man arrested in the death of a Nebraska Catholic priest
A man has been arrested in the stabbing death of a Catholic priest who was attacked over the weekend in a church rectory in a small Nebraska community, authorities said.
The Université de Moncton will not be getting a new name
The board of New Brunswick's Universite de Moncton has decided not to change the school's name despite concerns about its connection to a problematic historical figure.
Trump says he won't testify Monday at his New York fraud trial and sees no need to appear again
Donald Trump said Sunday he has decided against testifying for a second time at his New York civil fraud trial, posting on social media that he "VERY SUCCESSFULLY & CONCLUSIVELY" testified last month and saw no need to appear again.
Saskatchewan is a safe space to buy 'sustainable oil,' Scott Moe says
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is working hard to use a global climate change conference as an opportunity to market the province’s non-renewable resources.
LCBO reveals what Ontarians drank the most this year
When it came to what Ontarians brought home during their liquor runs at the LCBO, the company said customers went for options that gave them more bang for their buck.
Al Gore calls UAE hosting COP28 'ridiculous,' slams oil CEO appointed to lead climate talks
Climate advocate and former Vice President Al Gore on Sunday called into question the decision to hold the COP28 climate talks in the United Arab Emirates, a leading producer of the world’s oil.