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Kingsway development going strong

Norm Bouffard has transformed one of Sudbury’s many rocky hills into a retail and commercial stronghold over the last several months, and it’s officially open for business.
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A new retail development along Sudbury’s Kingsway Boulevard is now open for business.

Norm Bouffard has transformed one of Sudbury’s many rocky hills into a retail and commercial stronghold over the last several months, and it’s officially open for business.

The local businessman and developer is convinced the Kingsway shopping district in the city’s east end is the future core for the region’s commercial and retail endeavours.

“It’s the best spot for retail, that’s for sure,” said Bouffard.

The new development sits across from Sudbury’s RioCan Centre, which is equipped with a Chapters, Costco, Silver City Sudbury Cinema, and several clothing and home decor stores.

Bouffard, the owner of the Skater’s Edge sporting goods store, bought the 4.42-hectare property just to the west of the bustling Kingsway-Barry Downe intersection to expand his own store into a 21,000-square-foot facility.

Tenants on the property include a Pita Pit, and two stores: Jump! The Skate, Dance and Gymnastics Store, and Jump! Baby. All four businesses are officially open for business, and Bouffard said the benefits are clear.

“We’ve got more room, higher ceilings, and all around a better shopping experience,” said Bouffard of his own space.

The transformation was costly, but Bouffard said the location made it appealing for other developments.

“I was looking for going bigger for Skater’s Edge, this had a good site, and we ended up developing it to do so and selling a lot of acreage to cover costs. Construction is expensive, so it’s definitely preferred to be in a better retail location,” said Bouffard.

Some of the acreage was used to build a new Microtel that opened in August. Microtels were introduced to Canada by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in 2012. It is a franchise, but all the ownership for Northern hotels is in Northern Ontario, and they are well-versed in building for Northern customers.

Luc Sergerie, part owner of the Sudbury Microtel, said they are using wood to construct the building to adapt to the Northern climate.

“It’s economical and I like the fact that in Northern Ontario we’re always doing winter construction and with concrete the window is so short. With wood, there’s more flexibility. We were framing at minus 20,” said Sergerie.

Another tenant on the property is the locally owned furniture and home store Diggs and Dwellings that occupies 13,000 square feet at the top of a hill overlooking the Kingsway.

Together, Bouffard hopes the stores provide even more options for Sudbury and regional shoppers.

“This is the strongest area in Northern Ontario.”