New London Drugs to set up shop in CF Polo Park

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Peggy

It’s out with the old and in with the new at CF Polo Park shopping centre.

In a couple months construction will start on a new London Drugs store, located on the second floor.

General manager of CF Polo Park Peter Havens said the decision to put a London Drugs in the mall was a collaborative effort.

“We have relationships with them out west, and they were looking for another location in Winnipeg, and we thought it would be a good match for this area and for our community.”

London Drugs will be the second pharmacy in Polo Park, with a Shoppers Drug Mart already on the first floor.

Havens said some stores are moving to a different part of the mall to make room for London Drugs, but others won’t make the cut.

“Every negotiation is different, some stores were ready to move and ready to build a new store,” explained Havens.

“Tommy Gun’s is a great example, their lease is up and they wanted to get bigger, so we were able to accommodate that. Some stores we’re just not going to welcome back because maybe they don’t fit the direction we’re going, and some stores we’ll definitely find a spot to put them.”

The Build-A-Bear store has already relocated to a different part of the mall, and Famous Footwear is in the process of doing the same.

Below the Belt and Urban Outfitters are moving out altogether to make way for the changes.

London Drugs’ first Manitoba store opened in St. Vital mall 20 years ago.

General Manager of retail operations for London Drugs Kevin Sorby said there was a demand for a second store in Winnipeg, and the new store will bring new jobs to the community.

“There’s going to be 60 to 70 positions to start,” Said Sorby.

“They’ll be everything from cashiers to department personnel, to stocking positions, to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, cosmeticians. There’s going to be a wide array of employment opportunities.”

Sorby said this new store will be the 81st store in Canada.

“We as an organization are always looking to expand for the right location in Western Canada.”

Havens said this change to CF Polo Park is just part of the retail industry.

“That’s the nature of retail, it rolls over about every 8 to 10 years. People’s tastes change, what customers want changes.”

Havens wouldn’t reveal the floor plan for the new space just yet, but said the mall will have its new addition in the fall of 2025.