MOOSE JAW — It’s been more than two years since a fire destroyed several businesses at Thatcher Crossing, but the property owner is currently constructing a strip mall that will house two new shops.
A massive fire destroyed the Dollar Tree, Bulk Barn and a pizza business on March 9, 2023 — investigators said it was arson — while contractors cleaned up the site in May and left a concrete slab. That slab sat empty until this year, when crews began erecting steel girders and constructing a new building.
According to Harvard Developments, which has owned the seven-acre site since 2004, the new building will house The Shoe Company and PetSmart; both are expected to open next spring. Meanwhile, a new Dollar Tree should open this year in an adjacent building that formerly housed Sally’s Beauty, Osh Kosh and Carter’s.
Meanwhile, Firehouse Subs opened this year in the former Freshii location.
“We are thrilled with the continued growth and success of Thatcher Crossing and the Moose Jaw market overall,” said Matt Geiger, director of brand and experience with Harvard. “Introducing new-to-market retailers to the community is always a win, as it underscores the growing demand in the area.”
Continuing, he said the company is excited to add Firehouse Subs, PetSmart and The Shoe Company “to an already fantastic mix of retailers,” since this creates a shopping experience that Harvard believes will resonate with the community.
Other businesses that operate at Thatcher Crossing — which is adjacent to Walmart — include Reitman’s, Staples, Mark’s, BarBurrito, First Choice HairCutters, Great Canadian Oil Change and Montana’s BBQ and Bar.
According to Harvard Developments’ website, the first phase of development occurred in 2005, followed by phase 2 in 2007 and phase 3 in 2015. The number of buildings on the property covers 19 per cent of the site, while there are 5,463 square metres (60,700 square feet) of leasable area.
The website noted that as of 2021, there were 33,665 residents, the average household income was $89,500, and an estimated 12,000 vehicles travelled past the site per day. Also, the city served as a trade area for more than 250,000 people.
Meanwhile, Moose Jaw is the western anchor of the Moose Jaw-Regina industrial corridor, which accounts for 25 per cent of Saskatchewan’s GDP, the company noted. The community is also a major transportation and utility hub, which includes Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s Saskatchewan headquarters, along with one of its largest mainline fuelling and repair venues.
Also, Moose Jaw is home to Saskatchewan Polytechnic, which is the province’s main public institution for post-secondary technical education and training, Harvard’s website said. The Moose Jaw campus has roughly 3,500 students and employs almost 300 people.
The website added that Moose Jaw is home to 15 Wing Airbase, the main site of NATO flying training in Canada, 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School and the Canadian Forces’ Snowbirds.
Visit harvard.ca for more information.
