View from the Cheap Seats is kind of an extension of the newsroom. Whenever our three regular reporters, Calvin Daniels, Thom Barker and Randy Brenzen are in the building together, it is frequently a site of heated debate. This week: What kind of retail outlet that Yorkton does not have would you like to see come to the city.
Hub-a Hub-a
I can still remember my first day of university in 1988. I crowded into a theatre with more than 500 other students for an introductory geography class. The subject? Hub theory, the concept that human society is organized like a wheel. Of course, there are smaller wheels within the wheels and at the centre of each is a hub.
Yorkton, of course, is a hub of smaller wheel on the spoke of the Regina wheel, which in turn is a wheel on the spoke of the Winnipeg wheel etc.
As a regional retail hub for most of southeastern Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba, Yorkton is pretty well-served—the same cannot be said for food, but we will get to restaurants next week.
In this day and age, it seems almost redundant to complain about a lack of retail opportunities since whatever we don’t have in Yorkton, we can access at the tips of our fingers and delivery for most things is within a day or two. And the gaps in Yorkton come down to specialty stuff. For example, I’m into darts so it would be nice to have a games store, like Gould’s in Regina and Saskatoon, but how often do I really need that? The same goes for men’s wear. We have two good higher end stores in K&W and Alexander’s and Mark’s has some good mid-range stuff, but it would be nice to have something like a Moore’s. Again, as often as I shop for clothes it’s not a big deal.
The one store, however, that I definitely think Yorkton is definitely missing is a large comprehensive bookstore. No offence intended to Coles, they do a pretty good job with the limitations they have, but I want a store that stocks obscure stuff as well as the top titles, plus has a coffee shop and lounge areas where you can sit and read.
I know, I could order online and have books delivered the next day. In fact, I have done that, but there’s nothing like just browsing through acres and acres of books. I can spend hours in a bookstore.
Oh yeah, we also need a Save on Foods, but apparently that’s already coming.
- Thom Barker
Rumours of store-y
Rumours run far and wide, especially in Yorkton. That’s why people continually think that Costco, Lowe’s, Jysk, etc. will be putting up a store in Yorkton.
They’re not, but almost weekly there is someone spreading the ‘holy truth’ that one of those places will be sprouting up in Yorkton.
Granted, rumours like that originate out of hope, and like everyone else, I’d love to see a place like Costco come to Yorkton. It won’t happen until Yorkton grows significantly larger (over 100-thousand at least), but it would be nice.
Until then however, it won’t happen. But there are stores that I’d like to see come to Yorkton (stores that I know would never come here).
The first is Tesco.
Tesco is very similar to both Superstore and Walmart, with the only exception is that it’s better (this is based solely on their dirt cheap and absolutely delicious chicken and bacon sandwiches). Also, even though Tesco is British and the prices are in British Pounds, the prices after taking dollar vs. pound into consideration are slightly lower at Tesco when compared to Walmart or Superstore.
The other retail chain that I’d like to see come to Yorkton, but most definitely won’t, is Lidl. Lidl, a German low budget store, is perfect for anyone wanting to load up on groceries and cheap clothing/appliances yet spend less than 20 dollars.
It’s the only place that I found a two litre bottle of cola (Freeway Cola) for 40 cents. Sure, the occasional consumer might accidentally ingest a surgical glove (it’s actually happened), but for such a low price it’s worth it (as long as it’s not me).
- Randy Brenzen
Roll ‘em
The discussion around what element of retail is missing in a community is not new, nor one confined just to Yorkton.
It is nature to look down the road and think there are more interesting stores somewhere down the ribbon of asphalt.
Familiarity with the stores in your local community feeds that thinking, as does a general interest in just getting away and shopping somewhere different.
But when it comes to our city the question of what is missing is not easily answered.
There are those who would want another food store option especially after Sobey’s closed.
But that need seems destined to be met soon with Save On Foods slated to open here in the next year, or so.
A big box handyman’s dream, like Rona was another oft mentioned need, but an expanded Home Hardware and the opening of Castle Building Centre have certainly addressed some of those mentioned needs.
Now I might suggest a movie theatre option, something with more than a single screen. One screen in Yorkton means we simply do not get many releases on the big screen - ever!
Or, we end up in a situation such as we have had with Star Wars VII.
The mega movie opened back on Dec. 14, 2015, and finally hit the big screen here Friday (Feb. 19). That seems a bit ridiculous for a city with Yorkton’s trading area, so a screen or two more would be nice.
And finally I’ll offer up a personal interest; a store catering to all things geek. Think the comic book store from Big Bang Theory, stuffed with Batman busts, X-Men comics, fantasy wargaming miniatures, and role playing modules. Such a store might leave me eating weiners and Ramen noodles more often than I might like to admit, but it would be a place to root around in on a regular basis. A gaming room in the back, and I might just move in.
- Calvin Daniels
