Construction continues at McKeown Commons next to Canadian Tire. PHOTO BY CHRIS DAWSON.
North Bay businessman Ray Seguin remembers when he first opened the doors of his convenience store on McKeown Avenue.
“I remember people laughing at me opening a convenience store surrounded by swamp,” said Lucky 13 owner Ray Seguin.
Fast forward from 1986 to the summer of 2014, McKeown Avenue has had a transformation, to say the least.
In early August, ground was broken for McKeown Commons, a new 134,000 square foot commercial development which, according to the property management firm, will be the home to Michael’s, Sportchek, Winners, A & W, St. Louis Wings and Ribs, PetSmart, Dollar Tree and Sally Beauty Supply.
“It’s a hot spot for sure," says Erin Richmond, the Manager of Economic Development for the City of North Bay about McKeown Avenue.
“McKeown is becoming a corridor to the Hospital, University and College. It’s easy now for students to migrate and it's easy access to all kinds of services,” added Richmond.
Seguin is pumped to see the new businesses coming to the street where his business started.
“More traffic flow will mean more customers and more vehicles going by my door every day,” he said.
However, Seguin is concerned about the North Bay Mall, where two of its major tenants, Sportchek and Winners, are relocating north of the city.
“I am concerned how the North Bay Mall will be effected,” he admits.
“How do we fill those empty spots. I am concerned to see another plaza empty.”
Richmond adds that McKeown Avenue growth isn’t the city's only focus.
“It's an exciting area of town and we continue to focus on downtown as well. This has definitely changed the face of North Bay.”
No timeline has been set for the official opening of McKeown Commons, however it’s anticipated the new mall will open in a few weeks.
