In February, the City of Chestermere hired Cushing Terrell Architecture (CTA) to perform a Retail Market and Gap Analysis with the objective being to discover what residents feel is missing from Chestermere and where residents are spending their money.
You may have been a part of this research if you were approached a local business earlier this year by a member of the CTA team that asked you participate in a very lengthy survey about where you shop and what you would like to see come to Chestermere.
There has been much discussion about what is lacking in Chestermere. Most agree that it is industrial business that needs to come to our city to even out the residential and non-residential tax issue, and that retail is not the answer. But, with an ever growing population, the residents must have local services or they will spend their money elsewhere. That is currently the case as the report that came back from CTA states that there is an estimated $95 million a year being leaked out of Chestermere that equates to almost 60% of Chestermere resident spending is happening outside of Chestermere.
The results are now in and CTA states that their findings are intended to assist the City of Chestermere to promote the community and help attract investors and businesses. The report showcased many of Chestermeres benefits. Phrases such as ‘peaceful country lifestyle’, fast growing’, ‘very well connected’ but states that Chestermere is ‘under-served significantly by retail’ and that the biggest threat to retailers coming to Chestermere is the East Hills development.
The consumer survey that was conducted was very revealing as to where Chestermere residents are shopping. Sunridge Mall and Cross Irons Mall were the most popular answers for shopping centers that Chestermere residents shop at.
The most desired businesses that survey participants said they wanted to see in Chestermere were more full service restaurants, entertainment and recreation, home improvement and garden, and clothing/apparel retail options.
The top three full service restaurants that people surveyed said they wanted to see in Chestermere were The Keg, Earl’s Kitchen and Bar and Cactus Club. Lowest on the list was a Thai food option, East Side Marios and IHOP.
The top five retailers sought by Chestermere restaurants were: Canadian Tire, Sport Chek, Chapters, Best Buy and Real Canadian Superstore. Lowest on this list was Reitmans, Payless Shoes and The Brick. This does not include the home improvement category as CTA says there was an overwhelming request for a retailer in that category.
I contacted the City of Chestermere to inquire as to what their move forward plan was now that they have obtained this information, but no response was received. I also inquired as to the cost of this project and that also went unanswered.
Regardless, the residents have spoken and although a light industrial presence is needed, it is now crystal clear what retail businesses residents want to see in our city.
