384 LANCASTER AVE, SAINT JOHN, NB

By now you’ve probably heard the buzz about the new JYSK home décor store that opened last week on the west side of Saint John. I had the chance to attend the grand opening on Saturday and spoke with their regional manager from Quebec, who was absolutely thrilled with the level of local support.

Word of their soft opening spread quickly, and the turnout exceeded expectations. Even a snowstorm on the morning of the grand opening didn’t slow people down. Shoppers arrived from across the region and lined up outside before the doors opened. Within the first half hour alone, the store handed out 150 gift cards worth $20 each.

JYSK originally purchased the building in 2022 and spent considerable time rezoning and renovating the property. Judging by the turnout and enthusiasm from the community, it’s safe to say the wait was well worth it.

Across Canada, office space is increasingly being repurposed as landlords respond to elevated vacancy rates and shifting workplace trends. A growing share of underutilized or obsolete buildings are being converted into retail, residential units, hotels, educational facilities, and mixed-use developments, with office-to-residential projects accounting for the majority of conversions. This trend reflects a broader repositioning strategy, where older assets are adapted to meet changing demand rather than competing with newer, amenity-rich, environmentally responsible office product.