Five Guys Burgers and Fries, a U.S.-based “burger joint” chain with locations in 40 States and four Canadian provinces, will be opening an outlet at the Eagle Landing in Chilliwack.
It’s just one of a long list of restaurants, retailers and service providers that have signed leases at the “super centre” anchored by one of the largest Walmart stores in B.C., a Cineplex multi-theatre and, soon, a Home Depot store.
And these businesses don’t open new locations without doing careful market studies first, which means Chilliwack is on the retail map, said David Coon, executive vice-president of the Property Development Group, joint partner with the Squiala First Nation in the Eagle Landing project.
“No one can look at Chilliwack any longer as being a secondary country market,” he said. “We’re very happy with the success of the leasing up to date.”
About eight retailers have confirmed they’ll be opening locations in the shopping area between the Walmart and Cineplex, including Dollar Giant, Star Hair Studio, Subway, Salad Loop, Great Clips, Kuro Sushi - and “a couple more” Coon couldn’t name because negotiations haven’t closed.
But he said construction of two more buildings gets underway next week, with public openings slated for early November.
One of the buildings, an 11,000 square-foot structure near the Galaxy Cinema, will hold an Original Joes Restaurant & Bar, a Wok Box, and Starbucks - following a movies-and-a-meal theme.
A smaller, 7,000 square-foot building, will hold a locally-operated liquor store, a Telus outlet and one other business that hasn’t been finalized yet.
Coon said another building to be constructed in front of the Walmart will hold a West Coast Dental office, a Westland Insurance office - and the Five Guys Burger outlet.
Oh, and a “major financial institution” Coon also couldn’t name because negotiations continue.