Commercial compatibility

Plunking much additional retail activity into the midst of neighbourhoods dominated by small-scale merchants is seen as a threat to the established merchants of the Glebe and Old Ottawa South. Most of the business people active along Bank Street see the proposed shopping for Lansdowne as having a negative effect on their prospects.

One example is the effect that the multi-screen cinema proposed for Lansdowne might have on the Mayfair Theatre.

But it has occurred to me that there may be destructive competition built right into the partnership proposal. I wonder if it makes sense to have the Farmers' Market next door to the rumoured "Whole Foods" supermarket. I understand that Whole Foods stores sell herbal toothpaste -- an item unlikely to be found in the Farmers' Market. Nevertheless I believe that vegetables and fruit are the principal features of both.

I also wonder whether the various food outlets can all prosper. If the Aberdeen Pavilion is full of restaurants, there are cafes along Bank Street, a full-featured hotel, plus concessions in the civic centre and stadium, this is represents quite a few seats. Many additional diners would need to be attracted to Lansdowne to support all this service. Moreover we need to consider the effect on the existing pubs and restaurants in the Glebe and Ottawa South.