‘We’re going to miss it’: Beloved pub not part of Riverview mall redevelopment plan

A mall in Riverview, N.B., is undergoing renovations.

Things have been pretty much the same at the old Riverview mall for years now, but that’s about to change in a big way.

It’s mostly deserted, with only a handful of tenants, but new developers have big plans.

Steve McGarrity, a Riverview resident, welcomes the change.

“Absolutely, it’s time. It’s been this way for a number of years. At one point years ago it was a full mall and now it’s just down to a vacant call centre. It’s well overdue,” said McGarrity.

The mall was purchased by The Gray Group and Doucet Developments last year.

Gray Group Vice-President of Operations Michael Taweel said an interior demolition has already begun.

The back portion of the mall will be demolished this fall.

The front façade will be updated and new tenants will move in as part of the first phase.

A proposed conceptual rendering reveals a residential part of the project will be a later phase.

Taweel said there’s no specific timeline for the new apartment building units.

“We’re going to focus on the front part on the commercial side, getting the demolition done,” said Taweel. “Get a new look, a fresh look to the site.”

Taweel said there are already interested parties from retail and fast-food restaurant chains and he hopes to confirm new tenants in the coming weeks and months.

But a beloved 33-year-old neighbourhood pub is not part of the plan.

Fox n Hound Co-owner Curtis Strickland, who has owned the bar since 2012, said they’ll have to close at the end of September for financial reasons.

Strickland said they worked with the new landlords to try and find a different spot inside the mall, but a deal couldn’t be reached.

“They were asking a bit too much for our margins,” said Strickland. “It’s like if your rent almost tripled tomorrow.”

Strickland said there’s no animosity with the developers or the property management group who he’s been dealing directly with.

“No, not at all,” said Strickland. “They’ve been really open to us and straightforward. They’re not ghosting or ducking questions.”

They’ve thought about relocating, but can’t find a spot in their budget right now.

He called the communication with the new owners “hazy” and said it could have been better.

“I’ve talked to a few of the other tenants, I think there’s four right now, and they felt the same kind of sentiment,” said Strickland.

Taweel didn’t want to get into specifics about the Fox n Hound’s situation saying they’re still a tenant, but said their sales team worked with the pub to seek out another location on site.

“But unfortunately this past week they announced it just wasn’t going to work for them,” said Taweel.

A bar in the mall is something that’s always been there as long as most Riverview residents can remember.

Allison Wilson has been a loyal customer for years and came for her birthday lunch on Wednesday.

“It’s like coming home when you come here. People know your name. A lot of times they know what you drink, they might know your favourite meal and there’s always a hug. I’ve seen a lot of different celebrations good and bad happen in here. We’re going to miss it,” said Wilson.

Kathy Prosser said change is inevitable.

“But I think it’s unfortunate that when people move in and make these kind of changes they don’t consider the neighbourhood,” said Prosser. “That’s a neighbourhood staple and people come here for entertainment. There’s live bands here. All the people that are employed here are from this area so it’s going to be a huge loss.”

Pam Stephenson is the owner of Physio in Motion and has been a tenant inside the mall for years.

She met the new owners last fall and was told the property would be developed, but no concrete details were given.

Early this year Stephenson said she was told developers were looking at major renovations, including taking down parts of the building, but it wouldn’t impact her.

By the spring, she said their plans had changed and the part of the mall where her clinic is located was slated for demolition.

“I received an eviction notice the end of May effective the first of June and 90 days to vacate,” said Stephenson.

While Stephenson doesn’t think she was wronged in any way, she would have appreciated more communication from the new owners.

“I feel that the process was not transparent, that there was very little communication. I actually wasn’t involved in the process that I was promised,” said Stephenson. “I felt very much surprised and taken a back and very much not part of the process.”

Again, Taweel didn’t want to comment directly on a tenant’s lease situation.

“Those are conservations between us and the tenant directly so I don’t want to speak on any relations when it comes to that,” said Taweel.

Stephenson is moving to a new location at the start of September.

As for Strickland, he’s still trying to find a new home for the Fox n Hound, but admits his options are limited.

Ever since he made the closure announcement on the pub’s Facebook page there’s been an overwhelming amount of love and support.

Strickland said the bar is a second home to some people where they can come alone and find a friendly face to talk to.

“That’s going to be missed, big time,” said Strickland.

The Fox’s last day in business, at least for now, is Sept. 30.

Taweel said demolition of the back portion of the mall should last a few weeks.

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