Jamestown, Hiawatha eyed for expansion of pop-up store tryout

If the City of Sault Ste. Marie's experiment with shipping-container pop-up stores downtown is successful, other locations like Hiawatha or Jamestown are viewed as possible additional locations. 

City Council agreed at its most recent meeting to issue a request for proposals for modular retail units.

City officials are hoping to buy six of the units, three for general retail vendors and three for food and beverage operators.

Some are likely to be retrofitted cargo containers, most likely 10 by eight feet or 20 by eight feet.

Other units are expected to be custom-built.

The one-year pilot project will be done in conjunction with the Downtown Association, Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, Millworks Centre for Entrepreneurship, Sault Community Career Centre and the Local Immigration Partnership.

Initial locations proposed as possible locations for pop-up shops include:

• Roberta Bondar Park (Port of Sault Ste. Marie)
• Downtown civic plaza
• Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site
• Clergue Park Skating Trail
• Queen Street festivals and community events
• GFL Memorial Gardens

Ward 2 Coun. Lisa Vezeau-Allen asked whether locations outside downtown will also be considered, including Bellevue Park, Hiawatha Highlands and James Street.

Don McConnell, the city's planning director, said the initial pilot is funded by a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. grant for downtown improvements.

But McConnell said the other venues suggested by Vezeau-Allen are possibilities for any expansion of the pilot if the concept works in Sault Ste. Marie.

McConnell said preference will be given to local businesses that wish to rent the new modular stores.