Death knell

To be sure, Royalmount mall is attractive and yet it is playing in a retail space that risks disappearing altogether. 

After 355 years of existence, The Hudson Bay Company which started in the fur trading business in the 17th century has closed its doors after filing for bankruptcy. It's regal flagship store in downtown Montreal was a landmark but fell victim to changing consumer tastes and a penchant for increasing online consumerism. Although not a mall, it was connected to the underground city and counted on the same type of customer.

Malls were a staple of suburban life starting in the 1960's but starting in the last 10 to 15 years became less frequented and either closed or reinvented themselves by adding more options to attract customers.

However as the middle class began to disintegrate in earnest by the early 2000's we saw these former draws of community life take their most serious hits. Vacant spaces are now the norm. 

I live close to the core of the walkable city connected with public transit which lends itself to more boutique options rather than one behemoth location which is why many suburbanites for now still go to these spaces. Royalmount, which exists on the lip of Montréal's more affluent areas is banking on the appetite for high end goods to keep them healthy and afloat.

Time will tell but then I just bought a coffee.