Home improvement retailer Lowe’s Canada is looking to retrofit its new Nanaimo location.
Lowe’s has applied to the City of Nanaimo for a development permit to retrofit the old Target store at Nanaimo North Town Centre. Earlier this year the company completed the acquisition of 12 former Target sites across Canada, including two on Vancouver Island, for approximately $147.75 million.
While the company hasn’t announced an opening date or how much it plans to invest in its Nanaimo location, Lowe’s Canada spokeswoman Sandy Indig said the store will create approximately 120-140 jobs and an additional 30-40 seasonal positions.
Dan Fraser, general manager of the centre, called the job piece a “huge benefit,” bringing more positions into Nanaimo. Lowe’s will also bring more traffic and support securing other leasing ventures throughout the property as Nanaimo North starts expanding over the next couple of years, he said.
“On average right now our busier days in the shopping centre, we’re seeing 5,000 to 6,000 guests come to the property, but this just in itself will bring 2,000 to 4,000 guests,” he said, adding it will promote cross shopping and round out the tenant mix. “And it’s just going to be great to have that 125,000-square-foot place filled.”
Target shuttered earlier this year, putting 130 people out of work.