Goodbye HMV, hello Sunrise Records

Sunrise Records has confirmed it will be taking over the soon-to-be-vacated HMV location in Station Mall.

The Toronto-based retail music chain announced last month that it planned to open stores in 70 locations across the country.

The company has said the new stores will begin to open in April.

The HMV location at the Station Mall is currently in the process of liquidating its inventory.

The Station Mall itself is currently for sale by owner Algoma Central Corp.

The following is a news release issued by Sunrise Records today:

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Top music retailer Sunrise Records announces additional markets as part of former HMV location takeover

Expansion takes Ontario-based chain coast to coast in all major markets

Sunrise offers positions to HMV employees

TORONTO — Sunrise Records, one of Canada’s top music retailers, recently announced it will take over 70 previously owned HMV brick and mortar locations in malls across Canada.

The news comes on the heels of music chain HMV Canada being put into receivership after recently announcing the closure of all nationwide stores.

The expansion takes Sunrise into all major markets coast-to-coast from British Columbia to Quebec and the Atlantic provinces and includes the list below. Please note that remaining locations will be announced starting Monday, March 20 as each location is confirmed via Sunrise Records’ website HERE and Sunrise Records’ Facebook page HERE. Stores will start opening in early April 2017.

BC
Metrotown – Burnaby, BC
Orchard Park – Kelowna, BC

AB
Sunridge Mall – Calgary, AB
Marlborough Mall – Calgary, AB
West Edmonton Mall – Edmonton, AB (20,000 square foot store with performance stage)
Londonderry Mall – Edmonton, AB
Peter Pond Mall – Fort McMurray, AB
Park Place Mall – Lethbridge, AB
Medicine Hat Mall – Medicine Hat, AB

SK
Southland Mall – Regina, SK

MB
Kildonan Place – Winnipeg, MB
Polo Park – Winnipeg, MB

ON
Quinte Mall – Belleville
Stone Road Mall – Guelph, ON
Limeridge Mall – Hamilton, ON
Square One – Mississauga, ON
Place d’Orléans – Ottawa, ON
Heritage Place Mall – Owen Sound, ON
Pickering Town Centre – Pickering, ON
Station Mall – Sault Ste. Marie, ON
The Pen Centre – St Catharines, ON

QC
Les Galeries de Hull – Hull, QC
Place Fleur de Lys – Quebec City, QC
Promenades St-Bruno – Saint Bruno, QC
Place du Royaume – Saguenay, QC
Centre commercial Les Rivières – Trois-Rivieres, QC
La Grande place des Bois-Francs – Victoriaville, QC

NB
McAllister Place – Saint John, NB
Regent Mall – Fredericton, NB

As previously reported, the chain is committed to expanding Record Store Day events across the country and plans to carry over 2000 titles of vinyl in stock at all locations to meet the resurgent consumer demand for vinyl.

Sunrise will also continue its longstanding tradition of supporting local independent artists by carrying their music for sale.

Says Putman, “We want to support independent Canadian artists more than ever. We feel it’s an obligation, not to mention we love discovering talented new artists.”

Sunrise will work to broaden the assortment of music that HMV carried, with a planned 50% increase of CDs, and a massively expanded apparel section including the hottest music and entertainment related merchandise. Sunrise will continue to be on the cutting edge of pop culture trends adding licensed figures, plush characters as well as an extensive selection of board games to each store.

Part of the expansion announcement includes a commitment from Sunrise to hire HMV employees who want to continue their career in the Canadian Music Industry.

Says Putman, “We want to let any former HMV employees know that we are opening, and we want to hear from them.” Anyone interested in applying for a position, can email resumes to [email protected]. (Please put your current HMV location in the email subject line.)

About Sunrise Records
Sunrise Records began as a single store located at 237 Yonge Street when Malcolm Perlman, together with his brother Roy Perlman, bought the store from the Handleman Co. in 1978. Current Sunrise President Doug Putman took over the reins in 2014 with the vision to revitalize and expand the chain. Sunrise Records currently has 9 stores in Ontario.

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