New York and Toronto — Saks Fifth Avenue is revealing details about the previously announced opening of two full-line Saks Fifth Avenue stores in Toronto, Canada. The 163,000-square-foot location in the Eaton Centre at Queen Street is expected to open on February 18, 2016. A week later, the 150,000-square-foot Sherway Gardens location is anticipated to open on February 25, 2016.
“Saks Fifth Avenue’s entrance into Canada is a very exciting moment for our company,” says Marc Metrick, president of Saks Fifth Avenue. “We are thrilled to bring Saks Fifth Avenue’s renowned assortment of designer fashions and legendary experience to Toronto.”
The Saks stores at Eaton Centre in Queen Street and Sherway Gardens will include a number of luxurious offerings as well as 10022-SHOE, Saks Fifth Avenue’s signature women’s designer shoe salon.
Both stores will introduce The Fifth Avenue Club, Saks Fifth Avenue’s personal shopping and styling service. The Club’s expert personal shoppers will offer an unmatched level of attention and distinguished services tailored to the customers’ needs — plus access to a private suite, refreshments and more — right in the middle of Saks Fifth Avenue. Saks Fifth Avenue Eaton Centre at Queen Street and Sherway Gardens will also feature the luxury hair and beauty salon, John Barrett. As the retailer’s new official in-store salon and spa partner, John Barrett will be an integral part of the Canada stores.
As part of the landmark launch of the Saks Fifth Avenue brand in Toronto, Pusateri’s Fine Foods will be integrating a world-class food experience at the luxury department store’s first two Canadian locations. Saks Food Hall by Pusateri’s will take over 21,000 square feet in the Eaton Centre at Queen Street and 18,500 square feet in Sherway Gardens.
Oliver & Bonacini (O&B) — one of Canada’s leading fine dining restaurant, events and catering companies, founded by Peter Oliver and Michael Bonacini — will launch unique restaurant concepts at each location. The restaurant and bar in the Eaton Centre store will span three floors at 11,000 square feet at the corner of Yonge and Richmond Streets, while the restaurant at Sherway Gardens will span 5,500 square feet. Both properties will be sleek and stylish with hints of whimsical tones and textures. The culinary program for both locations will be spearheaded by Oliver & Bonacini’s corporate executive chef, Anthony Walsh.
Through these new stores, Saks Fifth Avenue will also introduce The Personal Shopping Experience to the Greater Toronto Area. This intimate shopping service operates from a Saks Fifth Avenue-branded Mercedes-Benz, accompanied by a personal shopper, and travels to a client’s home or office. The Personal Shopping Experience arrives stocked with merchandise specifically selected for the client; its amenities include styling, beauty consultations and tailoring.
Both Saks Fifth Avenue stores will feature architectural details created by Saks Fifth Avenue Store Design and Planning in partnership with design firms FRCH Design Worldwide for the Eaton Centre at Queen Street location and Ted Moudis Associates for the Sherway Gardens location. The Eaton Centre at Queen Street store will reflect the grandeur and tradition of Saks Fifth Avenue’s New York flagship while the Sherway Gardens store will introduce a fresh, contemporary, open-format layout. Both locations will feature handcrafted materials and furniture, hand-applied finishes and elements of surprise.
“Toronto has a discerning luxury customer and Saks Fifth Avenue is excited to serve this new market,” says Stephane Ledoux, regional vice president, Saks Fifth Avenue Canada. “Saks Fifth Avenue will be a premier shopping destination in the area, offering an elevated experience unrivaled by any other. I am very passionate about this opportunity and look forward to bringing Saks Fifth Avenue to Canada.”
As part of the Hudson’s Bay Company brand portfolio, Saks Fifth Avenue operates 38 full-line stores in 22 U.S. states, five international licensed stores and saks.com.
Founded in 1670, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) is the oldest company in North America. With the recent completion of its acquisition of GALERIA Kaufhof Group, HBC’s portfolio today includes more than 460 stores around the world. In North America, HBC’s leading banners include Hudson’s Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5TH, along with Home Outfitters.
SOURCE: Saks Fifth Avenue