The Vintage Trend - Boutique Carole
Boutique Carole landed on Mail Champlain following a chance encounter between one of the boutique's co-founders and Cominar's Vice President of Leasing and Retail. While the VP was busy with his garage sale, the co-founder, who was looking for unique pieces for his boutique, couldn't help but ask the VP if he could purchase... the shirt he was wearing!
Although our VP decided to keep his shirt, a very informative discussion ensued. The Cominar VP learned that Boutique Carole was operating out of the bedroom of one of the co-founders at the time, and was born out of a desire to counteract fast fashion by offering carefully selected second-hand garments to today's consumers. Their adventure started on Instagram before taking the internet by storm with an online store, a brand, and an attractive marketing strategy.
Cominar immediately identified a business partnership opportunity and offered the young business owners a competitive 12-month lease at Mail Champlain. This would enable them to get closer to their clientele, simplify their operations by managing their inventory (which was starting to pile up in the parents' house) more efficiently and increase their visibility. Vincent Legros, Zachary Reffo and Xavier St-Onge-Leduc, the three brains behind Boutique Carole, decided to take the plunge and signed the lease with Cominar.
The first month of operation was a rousing success. Sales were much higher than expected and the excitement surrounding their first store exceeded the expectations of the new tenants. Their clientele kept coming back for more!
After making their mark on the South Shore, where they are originally from, the founders took on the challenge of conquering the North Shore and began their adventure in Laval by testing the waters with a pop-up at DUO Centre Laval in April 2023. The reception was just as positive and suggests an incredible future for Boutique Carole. One thing is certain, the vintage trend is here to stay.
Through this partnership, Cominar has seized the opportunity to partner with a young company that shares the community's eco-responsible values and to accompany it in its business development.
... Their adventure started on Instagram before taking the internet by storm with an online store, a brand, and an attractive marketing strategy.
Cineplex Digital Media’s Digital Signage Solutions
A success story is usually a win-win arrangement between two parties. But in the case of this customized digital signage agreement between Cineplex Digital Media and Cominar, there are more parties involved—as it includes five of our shopping centres in Montreal, Laval, Brossard and Repentigny, it benefits dozens of retailers and their thousands of customers. That makes them all winners!
Those five shopping centres are Alexis Nihon, Mail Champlain, Centre Rockland, DUO Centre Laval and Galeries Rive Nord. A total of 40 large double-sided vertical screens were installed in the hallways in summer 2024 and are now operational. In addition, Alexis Nihon will soon be equipped with one of the largest LED screens installed in a shopping centre in Canada.
In addition to advertising by Cineplex Media customers, these digital screens display information from the five shopping centres, their retailers or Cominar. Digital advertising sales are managed by Cineplex Media.
The results? A new way for retailers to thrive, and better-informed customers on sales, contests, new retailers, etc., for a richer shopping experience.
As Marie-Andrée Boutin, Cominar’s Chief Development and Real Estate Operations Officer, aptly summarized, “these state-of-the-art screens help make the shopping centres modern destinations of the future, providing unrivalled experiences. The locations become more inspiring by enabling our communities to enjoy enriched and diverse content”.
Specialized leasing isn’t just about providing retailers with customized space solutions. It’s also about communication solutions that benefit a wide range of partners!
A Local Showcase at the Heart of the Community
When the team at Signé Local began searching for a new home for their flagship store and warehouse, Mail Champlain quickly stood out as a natural choice.
Easily accessible, deeply rooted in its neighbourhood, and just steps from the REM Panama station, the centre offered simplified logistics and proximity to their target clientele.
With the rise of online shopping and growing interest in local products, this Fait au Québec retailer needed a strategic location to support its continued growth.
Thanks to a strong relationship already established with Stéphanie Larocque, Director of Specialty Leasing and Partnerships at Cominar, the conversation gained momentum quickly. Just a few days after moving into Mail Champlain, Signé Local proudly celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Over the past few years, Cominar and Signé Local stayed in regular contact. Early conversations explored ideas for pop-up stores, especially during the holiday season. Even though the first opportunities didn't quite meet the company's needs, the connection remained strong. "I always believed Signé Local had a place in our portfolio—they shine a beautiful light on local talent," Stéphanie shares.
That openness, combined with a deep understanding of Signé Local's goals, led to a tailor-made solution.
The arrival of the boutique at Mail Champlain marks a new chapter — both for the business and for the shopping centre, which continues to grow its local and sustainable offering. A great example of how collaboration can lead to projects that benefit everyone.
... A Collaboration Built on Shared Vision.
Festival des Vins de Laval
For its third edition, the Festival des vins et des spiritueux de Laval was held in the heart of Centropolis. Around the central hub of the site, in the lively outdoor area, around thirty tasting kiosks were set up for a long summer weekend.
The choice of Centropolis was not insignificant. Its appeal with target customers and its strategic location perfectly matched the festival's ambitions: to increase its visibility, stimulate engagement, and ensure its future growth by offering an immersive and accessible experience to the local community.
The partnership between Cominar and the Festival centred on a trade in visibility. On the one hand, the Festival leveraged Centropolis’ reputation and its restaurants, accessible spaces, and community seeking unique experiences.
On the other, both teams joined forces in marketing, logistics, security, and operations. This flexible and tailored collaboration made it possible to match the objectives and offer a premium experience.
The results exceeded expectations:
- Remarkable digital growth, with strong organic reach;
- High satisfaction among both exhibitors and visitors;
- Confirmation of the Festival's potential as a long-term venture.
This first edition at Centropolis also demonstrated that when an event and a venue are aligned, the potential to attract visitors, stimulate engagement, and create a lasting impact is real.
... Building Success, Together.
... Tangible Results.
A New Event for the Whole City
During summer 2025, the Laval community travelled around the world without ever leaving its borders. For a few days, the parking lot at DUO Centre Laval was transformed into a veritable gourmet district. Festi-Gourmet, a new, unique concept in Laval that combines gastronomy, cultural diversity, and conviviality, had just been launched.
DUO Centre Laval didn't just host the event: it served as a real business springboard. Through its strategic location, hosting capacity and role as a gathering place, the shopping centre gave Festi-Gourmet the visibility and accessibility required to attract families, foodies, tourists and curious visitors.
The sheer scale of the site made it possible to set up around twenty tasting stations. Marquees, outdoor furniture, a performance stage, and festive areas completed the event's decor.
Festi-Gourmet's success demonstrates how a partnership with Cominar can transform an idea into an impactful project. The event reflected our values: supporting local entrepreneurship, promoting community spirit, and creating opportunities that enrich the daily life of the community.
By bringing together flavours, cultures, and traditions from around the world, the festival has laid the foundation for an event that will undoubtedly become a neighbourhood staple. It has also confirmed the strategic role of our shopping centres as platforms for innovation and community engagement.
... A Standout Location.
