With two new stores in as many months, International Currency Exchange (ICE) continues steady and sustainable growth in Canada. Next up, the company is looking to open as many as five more.
With more than 40 years experience, ICE is a high-profile global brand that has earned is place as one of the largest and most respected retail currency exchange brands in the world.
At Think Retail, we’ve had the great pleasure since 2008 of working with ICE on its growth here in Canada. Last month, ICE opened a new location on St. Martin Boulevard in Laval, Que. and this month the company will open a kiosk at Oakville Place in the affluent community of Oakville, Ont.
The enclosed shopping centre, which caters to a sophisticated consumer, is the ideal fit for the ICE brand. Located at the highly visible intersection of Queen Elizabeth Way and Trafalgar Road, this recently renovated centre offers an impressive tenant mix, with more than 100 retailers and noteworthy tenants including Hudson's Bay, H&M, SportChek, and Sephora. It’s in a high-traffic area and is easily accessible by vehicle and public transit.
Think Retail is now working with the ICE team to open three to five new locations in 2019 and 2020. At the moment, ICE operates more than 80 branches in Canada, located in shopping centres, retail hubs and major airports, including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, Victoria and Quebec City. Moving forward, ideal spaces in existing markets will focus on kiosks in regional and super regional malls. Other areas of interest include, 500 to 1,000 sq. ft. in open-air centres with supermarkets, pharmacies and bank. Downtown Montreal and Toronto (Yonge and Dundas corridor) are of particular interest.
Founded in the UK in 1973, ICE now has more than 400 locations in 20 countries across four continents and this exciting organization keeps growing. On average, ICE manages a transaction every six seconds and serves more than 7 million customers a year.
It continues to build on its strong reputation for customer-friendly foreign exchange and related services, including a popular Click & Collect service. It offers an extensive range of major and exotic currencies that cater to Canada’s diverse and well-travelled population. Other services include, currency wires, money drafts, all kinds of cheques, money orders, travelers cheques and travelers GST returns. As well, some stores facilitate the sale of gold bullions, souvenir coins, Olympic coins and travelers insurance, while operating ATM bank machines.
For more about this impressive international company and its Canadian expansion plans, visit www.ice-canada.ca or contact the Think Retail Team.

Copper Branch is giving Canadians a healthy hand with an exciting plant-based menu and major expansion plans that will make it easier (and tastier) to adhere to Canada’s new Food Guide, which emphasizes the importance of plant-based eating. 
Established in Montreal in 2014, the vegan eatery was ahead of the curve and is driving force behind a major food movement, offering a fresh and healthy take on the QSR experience. Founder Rio Infantino spent 25 years in the traditional fast-food franchise business; then he set out to do things differently, turning “real” nourishing gourmet power foods into fast food designed to appeal to an audience hungry for options. 
The company, which now operates 45 restaurants, has established itself as a market leader, serving 100% plant-based power foods designed for health-conscious time-strapped consumers.
Today, Copper Branch has 45 locations – it has a major presence in Canada, having recently debuted in Alberta, while growing its foothold in the United States and France. Think Retail is thrilled to work with this forward thinking company on its expansion and we are pleased to announce several new locations opening this year: 
Ontario:

• Bathurst and Centre Streets, Thornhill – opened February 11 

• 660 Richmond St., London – opens this month 

• Bramalea City Centre, Brampton – opens this month 

• Limeridge Mall, Hamilton – opens spring 2019

• Yonge/Sheppard Centre, Toronto – opens spring 2019

• Bathurst and College Streets, Toronto – opens spring 2019

• 90 Burnhamthorpe Rd. at Hurontario, Mississauga – opens summer 2019

• Winston Churchill and Argentia Road, Mississauga – opens summer 2019

• Trafalgar and Dundas Roads, Oakville – opens summer 2019



Quebec

• 20 boulevard Mortagne, Boucherville

• Centre Commercial St Luc, St Jean Sur Richelie

• 177 boulevard Sir Wilfred Laurier, St Basile le Grand

• 1732 rue St-Denis, Montreal

• 1320 rue Ste-Catherine E, Montreal

• 5385 Queen Mary Rd., Montreal

• 2350 Wilfred Reid, St. Laurent 

• 1180 rue Stanley, downtown Montreal

• Tour Fresk, Ville de Québec

• Le Complexe de la Capital, 5600 boulevard Des Galeries, Quebec 

• Odacite, 2e rue Est l’avenue Leonidas Sud, Rimouski



Alberta

• South Edmonton Commons – now open

• Bankers Hall, Calgary – opens March

• Marquee, Calgary – opens May

• Seton, Calgary – opens September/October 



United States

• 1515 17 St., Fort Lauderdale, Florida – now open

• 195 Bleecker St., New York – opens March 


The momentum continues and Copper Branch seeks opportunities in all markets across the country. Ideal spaces are 1,250 to 2,000 sq. ft. in open-air centres and 450 to 1,500 sq. ft. in enclosed malls. 
For information or to discuss Copper Branch’s expansion and vision, visit www.copperbranch.ca or contact the Think Retail Team.

Change Lingerie is celebrating the opening of three new stores—one in Ottawa and two in Quebec—as it continues impressive growth across the country.
The company opened a 705 sq. ft. boutique in the nation’s capital, at the recently revamped Rideau Centre, as well as a 590 sq. ft. store in CF Galeries d’Anjou and a larger, 1,000 sq. ft. store, at Promenades Gatineau. 
It’s an exciting time for Change Lingerie, a leading international brand that launched in Denmark 1997, first as a private label brand before opening its first stand-alone retail store in 2001. Today, it has more than 200 stores in Europe and Canada, as well as an international online store.
Change debuted here in 2006 and now has 23 locations spanning British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. In 2018, the company opened in Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby, BC and CF Lime Ridge Mall in Hamilton, Ont.
Additional openings will be announced shortly, as part of a vision to open up to 10 locations in 2019. Change continues to focus on British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. However, in 2020, the dynamic brand plans to debut in Alberta and is seeking the right venue: Ideal spaces are 600 to 1,000 sq. ft.
Change is a fantastic tenant with a loyal customer base. Its charming boutiques draw repeat traffic, as the brand has a strong reputation for offering women the perfect fit, with beautiful design. Its mission is simple: “To provide the perfect bra to as many women around the world as possible.” And, it does just that, with affordable fashionable collections from A to M cups in a variety of styles.
Think Retail is thrilled to work with the Change team as it continues to grow across Canada.
For more, visit the Change website or contact the Think Retail Team.

Foodtastic Inc., the Quebec-based franchisor of multiple restaurant concepts including, La Belle et La Boeuf/The Beauty & The Beeeef,  Carlos & Pepe's Taqueria, Souvlaki Bar (Greek Specialty) Nickels Deli, Bacaro Urban Pizzeria and Enoteca Monza Pizzeria. is ramping up expansion after announcing a $47 million investment from Restaurant Royalty Partners.
"Our partnership with Restaurant Royalty Partners (RRP) marks an exciting next step in our company's growth. This capital will accelerate Foodtastic's strategy of acquiring brands with strong potential for growth," said president and CEO Peter Mammas.
This latest announcement is a boon for Foodtastic, which is already a leader in the restaurant franchising business in Quebec, with more than 50 restaurants.
Foodtastic will continue its organic growth plan, which has seen 15 new restaurants open in 2018, with 30 planned for 2019. Markets of interest include its home province of Quebec, as well as Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia for the following 3 Concepts.
Foodtastic is expanding its Flagship La Belle et La Boeuf/The Beauty & The Beef) concept, Winner of Best Burger Award 3 years running, which offers an unbeatable choice of Gourmet Burgers, Poutines and Grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as an impressive variety of signature cocktails and specialty beer. The bar area features every major sporting event on giant screens. Ideal spaces are 4,500 to 5,000 sq. ft. in super regional malls, open-air centres, outlet centres and along busy streets.
Foodtastic opened its Souvlaki Bar Concept in 2014 with Superstar Greek Singer Mihalis Xatzigiannis, with immediate success. Offering Greek Souvlaki, Gyro, Salads, Appetizers as well Greek wines, Coffees and Desserts.For the restaurant concept, again super regional malls, open-air centres, outlet centres and busy streets are ideal and the size is 3,500 to 4,000 sq. ft. Souvlaki Bar has also positioned itself for Food Court Counters and is among the Top 3 in sales at Major malls like CARREFOUR LAVAL and ROCKLAND CENTRE.
On the heels of its the recent investment, Foodtastic last month acquired Enoteca Monza Pizzeria Restaurants, a growing, Montreal-based full-service Italian-restaurant concept with a state-of-the-art food commissary.
“We are excited to add Monza to our portfolio of leading restaurants. This acquisition of a homegrown Quebec business is consistent with our strategy of acquiring brands with growth potential that complement our existing brand portfolio. We expect to grow the Monza brand immediately with four new locations in the Montreal area expected in 2019, and locations in Quebec City and the Outaouais region slated for 2020,” says Mammas. “We believe the Monza acquisition will leverage our marketing, purchasing and operational systems to better serve our existing franchisees.”
Ideal Enoteca Monza Pizzeria spaces are 5,500 to 6,000 sq. ft. in super regional malls, open-air centres, outlet centres and along busy streets.
Think Retail is thrilled to partner with Foodtastic, which has a strong track record of value creation and innovation in the restaurant industry. Foodtastic seeks quality restaurant concepts to acquire and another announcement is imminent. In the meantime, the company continues to grow its core brands in markets across the country.
For more information about this dynamic company, visit the Foodtastic website or contact the Think Retail team.

French chocolatier and ice cream house Jeff de Bruges is opening two new locations in Quebec, as part of a larger vision to grow in super regional malls across the province.
The popular retail concept debuted in Canada in 2014 at Place Montreal Trust. It has proven a popular destination for those who love the retailer’s combination of exquisite Belgian chocolates, ice cream and other treats.
In light of the Montreal’s $6.3 billion REM project – the largest public transit undertaking in Quebec's history – the company is relocating the Montreal Trust store to the Montreal Eaton Centre, which is in the midst of an exciting $200 million large-scale redevelopment project.
The plan is to open a temporary pop-up store at Montreal Eaton Centre this month and relocate to a permanent 655-sq.-ft. boutique in September.
That’s not all. In March 2019, Jeff de Bruges will open a 175-sq.-ft. kiosk at Carrefour Industrielle Alliance in the heart of Montreal’s pedestrian network. La Maison Simons and the Banque Scotia theatre anchor the 210,000-sq.-ft. historical building, which is home to numerous restaurants and boutiques.
Think Retail is thrilled to work with this top-tier brand: The company has huge market awareness in Europe and boasts turnover of more than $330 million in 2017. Philippe Jambon created the concept in France in 1986 and began franchising in 1988. The company introduced ice cream to the retail mix in 1990 and now operates more than 500 stores across France, including corporate and franchises, and close to 40 international locations.
As it grows in Quebec, the focus is on 600 to 1,000-sq.-ft. space in super regional malls across the province. Jeff de Bruges is an ideal co-tenant that draws repeat customers seeking the perfect gift or personal indulgence (chocolates are imported from Belgium, ice cream is a local favourite, Bilboque). The stores are beautifully designed with an industrial chic flair and a modern turquoise and brown palette that’s echoed in its distinct packaging.
For more about the company and its plans for Quebec, visit the Jeff de Bruges website, or contact the Think Retail team.

Brace yourselves Toronto, you’re about to experience a whole new world of luxury candy, as Sugarfina opens two of its famous boutiques in Ontario.
Last week Sugarfina opened 350 sq. ft. boutique in the recently renovated Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga. Nestles beside Fossil and across from Victoria’s Secret, Muji and Aritzia, the new store is positioned to be a major draw to the 2.2 million sq. ft. centre, which is home to more than 350 stores and services.
Another 295 sq. ft. store is under construction and slated to open in November at First Canadian Place in the core of Toronto’s busy financial district. Sugarfina will be in good company, with a premium location next to Paris-base men’s retailer LodinG and across from Swarovski. Frank & Oak also recently opened in the thriving retail podium.  
The two new stores effectively double Sugarfina’s Canadian presence. Think Retail is thrilled to work with this groundbreaking retail brand, as it grows across Canada.
In November 2017, Sugarfina opened its first Canadian stand-alone candy boutique at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby, B.C., followed by a second at Oakridge Centre this spring. Up until then, a limited selection of Sugarfina’s luxury treats was available in Canada only via Nordstrom’s locations, as well as select upscale boutiques and gift stores.
This L.A.-based superstar retail brand has built a huge following since launching as an online candy shop in 2012. It opened is first bricks and mortar boutique in Beverley Hills the following year and now has more than 30 boutiques across North America (plus many shops-in-shops).
Couple Rosie O'Neill and Josh Resnick were inspired to create the innovative concept after watching an episode of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. They envisioned a luxury candy store, catering to a discerning adult palate. The duo embarked on a world tour, visiting fine candy makers and sourcing unique treats.
Today, Sugarfina is an award-winning retail concept, having carved a niche as the ultimate candy shop for grownups. Its premium treats are made with the finest ingredients by artisan candy makers—think champagne-infused gummy bears, delicious rosé roses, peach Bellini sugar candies, maple bourbon balls, single malt scotch cordials and more.
Dubbed the Tiffany’s of candy shops, its chic boutiques have a high-end feel, with a fresh and modern palette of white and robin’s egg blue.
Think Retail is thrilled to work with this standout brand on the opening of its first four stand-alone boutiques in Canada. To learn more, visit sugarfina.ca or contact the Think Retail team.