The City of Cranbrook will be compiling an inventory of available/empty commercial space in the downtown following a motion made by Coun. Angus Davis Jan. 7.

Citing the impacts from the recent closure of the Giant Tiger store, Davis read a motion asking for an inventory, in conjunction with the Downtown Business Association and Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce “to determine a plan to inject some enthusiasm for investment and location in the downtown area of Cranbrook.”

The closure of Giant Tiger “will be a significant loss for the downtown of Cranbrook,” Davis said, explaining the store has been “the source of many basic living items (food/clothing)  and  that many  of the  customers  are  reliant  on  this  store  because  it is economical  and  for  those  with  lower  incomes  it  has  become  a  fixture  in  their lives.”

Considering the other vacant spaces in the downtown, the city should be considering options to help add renewed life to the core, he said.

“When I first got on council a few years ago I did an inventory and I was surprised by how many vacant spaces there are,” Davis told council, which unanimously supported his motion.

“That poor little shopping centre there – it’s like an orphan at the end of Baker Street,” he said of Cranbrook Mall. “I think there is something we can do to help fill these spaces.”

Coun. Bob Whetham said the mall seems to have “struggled ever since it was first put in” and suggested better signage telling me people what is located there would help.

City officials said there is already a fairly good idea about the available vacant spaces but discussions would be worth all the same.

“We’ve had a meeting with our real estate agent and as for what is vacant, he has a really good handle on that,” said chief administrative officer Wayne Staudt.

Economic Development Officer Kevin Weaver said Coun. Davis’ motion ties in with the city’s current economic development strategy, which “is to beef up our retention” of businesses. “It’s timely we have these discussions.

“I’d be happy to sit down with him (Davis) and talk,” he said, adding he’s talked to Giant Tiger officials in Ottawa and learned the company has been experiencing cutbacks nation-wide. However, Cranbrook’s store closure was the “most farthest west.”

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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