Construction for another 34,000 square feet of added space will soon begin at St. Albert Centre.
Jillian Creech, general manager at the mall, could not name the store that is expanding but said it is one of the larger retailers. The expansion is expected to finish in the fall of 2014, she said.
“There’s a definite need for this retailer to expand so we are happy that we are able to accommodate it here at the centre,” she said.
Come fall, Creech said there are also a number of businesses opening at the Centre. The Children’s Place, a kids’ clothing store, is now under construction and expected to open in November. The mall will also see the return of the Calendar Club. The store opens from October all the way through Christmas, selling calendars and games for the coming year.
“We also have Hickory Farms returning for Christmas – coming in mid-November – and Sundance, which is the wool sweaters and slippers,” she said. “This is a tradition our customers like and that’s what we will be bringing in.”
Creech added sales at St. Albert Centre have increased month over month in the past year and the mall is in a very healthy position.
A new store owner says he chose St. Albert for business because the city knows fashion.
Romani Leather recently opened its doors to the public, selling a selection of women’s handbags, shoes, boots and jackets. Store owner Ed Awad said all products are made from leather or synthetic leather.
“I think St. Albert needs a store like this and a lot of people appreciate fashion and they know fashion,” he said.
Awad added that he follows the newest colour and design trends very closely as he stocks his store. Romani Leather sells products in the mid- and upper price range, starting at $40 and going as high as $200 for a purse. The store is located at St. Albert Centre.
The local farmer’s market is expanding its season to include one extra day on the Thanksgiving weekend. Debbie Grant with the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce said the last day for shoppers at the market will be Saturday, Oct. 12.
“It will be a Thanksgiving market for people to get their fresh produce and things for their turkey dinner,” she said. “Normally we do run into the Thanksgiving weekend but Thanksgiving is later this year.”
Grant added that they were fortunate with the weather this year. Thanks to sunny days and warm temperatures, attendance was up and all 250 vendor positions were sold out throughout the summer, she said. The market receives up to 20,000 visitors between July and August, with numbers dropping to between 10,000 and 15,000 in the fall.
Plumbing is in his genes said Troy Kaban, who recently celebrated 20 years in business with his company ADG Kaban Sewer and Drain Ltd.
Despite having a father and six uncles who were all plumbers, Kaban said getting settled into the business wasn’t always easy. He started his business at 21 and said it took a few years until he got a foot in the door and the necessary experience to grow his company. Today, ADG has four more employees and is a well-known service provider in the region, he said.
“In terms of change we definitely broadened over the years, got into a lot more stuff in terms of plumbing and heating, renovations as well,” he said.
Kaban said the company serves St. Albert, Sturgeon County and parts of Edmonton. ADG Kaban Sewer and Drain Ltd. can be contacted at 780-498-6888.
