A fashion center, extra large

  ST. Catharines - if they spend their last few hurdles, the collection will be spent at Niagara a center of fashion its boosters hope to transform the retail tourism in the region.

On Wednesday, the Committee recommended a Niagara developer Ivanhoe Cambridge to build the permit, which would be connected to Canada's largest shopping outlet, to give the fresh air in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

"If developed as a tourist destination," said Mayor David Eke, the proposed $ 150 million. "This is the place where people shop, the shop is not specifically about where people on a daily basis.

"We are always looking for a longer stay in Niagara, where we have the tourist ... (We could have more) with this diversity, and add to the length of stay. This is a new design in one direction, and It is a well established, big developers. "

Build it is estimated that 1,000 construction jobs in the region would bring.

It is planned to be completed in 2014. At this point it is planned to use it for more than 1,500 full-and part-time employees in positions of typical shopping malls and other retail.

"We think this is just a spectacular place," said David Baffa, Ivanhoe Cambridge vice president for retail development.

Millions of tourists Niagara, Baffa said: "We know that they love to buy it."

"We know that many of them across the border. Yhey're is starting to experience premium, and that's what we want to come here," he said, echoing the hopes of Eke This might help the sale price and not at Niagara, New York.

Baffa said the Glendale Ave. Site near White Oaks Resort will be approximately 100 retailers in 700,000 square meters of space in a development, have in two phases.

"They are primarily, if not essentially based fashion," said Baffa.

The $ 150 million complex also includes a large anchor store format. At that time, he refused to retailers, the move could name

Space is reserved for restaurants, he said. There are currently no plans for a supermarket.

Food for its flag, the developer of shopping centers look for ways to present in partnership with local producers, vineyards and producers, the region work.

"And they have the opportunity to engage in the sale, whether in a booth in the pavilion or farmer's market," said Baffa.

Fashion Outlets is based, to serve a distinct market, said Baffa.

The difference is that retailers like The Gap or Banana Republic stores are traditional for the style-conscious buyers - often in malls or power.

Output usually sells products focused on food, "like every day," or "end of the season ... game" and less sophisticated.

"This is the search value type of business," he said, adding luxury brand stores are also being sought for the shopping center.

Baffa said he did not believe the demand exists for businesses in a shopping center as a collection target output.

He pointed to similar but closed society Vaughan Mills Outlet Mall, near Toronto. He said he did well in its market value, while surrounded by shopping centers and other fields.

Baffa said remaining obstacles encountered officially Niagara supplement regulation and the process of site plan with Niagara-on-the-Lake and other government agencies to issue permits that approve.

He hopes to be "pushing dirt" from August, when permits are in place, with a foundation of this winter.

Janice Thomson, Executive Director of the City of Commerce, called the development "an additional tourist attraction."

"I do not see it as taking away from existing retailers," she said, what are the Old Town and Virgil their own core of buyers who travel to each region, for its unique properties.

"It's a different market, a third type of market that we are not at this time."

Eke also said he did not consider it a competitor to existing Niagara-on-the-Lake businesses that have a different style of retailing.

Niagara Workforce Planning Board Executive Director David Alexander said everything that generates jobs, retail is good news, but a healthy economy, the regional diversity and balance in his new job.

"We welcome the opportunity to work (here) than to create an important point," he said.

"The retail sector has to address some of the highlights of the Niagara region," he said, adding numerous jobs to the output collection is "secondary employment opportunities."

This includes offering part-time in the shops for students of Niagara College.

Alexander said, is his hope that the development "to the creation of high technology, high-quality jobs will be compensated in professions, engineering and technology and other related jobs that go with it."