Over the weekend, my husband and I took a trip to Ottawa, his hometown. It’s funny, when people think of Ottawa, they think boring and dowdy. It is a government town, the capital of Canada, after all. On one of the days, we trekked over to the Rideau Centre, the city’s main mall, to have lunch with his family. We chose Bazille, the sitdown restaurant at Nordstrom. The food was delicious, but this post isn’t a review of Bazille, but about the store itself.
Nordstrom in Ottawa’s Rideau Centre
Nordstrom is located in what used to be Sears and opened just a few months ago. It’s the second Canadian location (after Calgary). People might be wondering why Ottawa and not, say, Toronto or Vancouver? I have heard from people that it had to do with Sears leases (most, if not all of the stores are taking over old Sears locations). That is why Toronto won’t be getting its first store until late 2016 (yes, after Saks opens!).
Nordstrom in Ottawa takes up two floors. It is not as big as I thought it would be but has decent selection. It seemed that more “regular” brands were on the floor opposed to accessible luxury and above. In terms of luxury, brands I saw included DVF, Theory, Pink Tartan as well as 7 For All Mankind and Ted Baker in terms of women’s fashion, located on the second floor (which includes kids’ and menswear). Cosmetics, shoes and accessories are located on the first floor. What is missing from the Ottawa store which I’ve found in the American stores is a petite section. There is, however, a tiny plus size section. The store itself is also smaller than the two American stores (Las Vegas and San Francisco) I’ve been to. I am assuming that the Toronto stores (or at least Eaton Centre) will have petites. And a good selection of small sized shoes, as well.
Nordstrom Ottawa’s opening night gala in support of the United Way (all opening VIP events support a charity). The event also supported the Ottawa Region Cancer Foundation
While shopping there, I tried on several pieces before ultimately settling on a cute Ted Baker pencil skirt. Sure, that could have waited until I got home, but hey, when in love, you go for it, right? And my size, whether it is Toronto, Ottawa, New York or wherever, disappears QUICKLY (people who say that smaller sizes (sizes 0-4 US) stay and ultimately end up on sale are LYING). I have to say that they don’t put too many smaller sizes on the floor, but that’s okay, as they’re likely at the back.
Service was excellent – unlike what I get even at Holt Renfrew (and Holts is much, much better than a certain department store on the south side of the Eaton Centre – even in the higher end departments). Would I have liked to see more items? Sure. But this would be something I’d likely get when the store opens in Toronto. The Eaton Centre store is supposed to be flagship, so it would have probably include a petite section and perhaps home-related items/registry.
Besides the lease issue, another thing I have been told was that each store will be tailored to the city/typical customer. For example, in Toronto, the Sherway Gardens and Yorkdale stores might have more items that would target a suburban stay-at-home mother, while the Eaton Centre location will be more Bay Street executive. Vancouver, with its large Asian demographics, might be the best place to get petites and size 5 shoes! Yes, better than Toronto. I don’t believe any Montreal stores have been announced yet, but their stores would be different as well.
I am looking forward to the Toronto stores. I just have to sit tight for another 14.5 months or so. Or make a few more trips to Ottawa in the meantime. Vancouver opens later this year.
Image by: Paul McKinnon / Shutterstock.com
