New things in store for Fort Edward Mall

Just weeks after the official SAAN store closure, a new chain is poised to move into that location in the Fort Edward Mall, Windsor.

TBS Acquireco Inc., owner of The Bargain! Shop, announced Aug. 13 it had entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Price Waterhouse Coopers Inc., as court-appointed interim receiver and receiver of SAAN Stores Ltd., to acquire as many as 93 of the former SAAN locations.

The Bargain Shop (TB!S) CEO and President Michael Roellinghoff told the Hants Journal Aug. 22 that he’s quite certain the Windsor SAAN Store will be included in that agreement. “I'm absolutely sure that location is on our list of 'go forward stores',” he said.

The purchase agreement will exclude merchandise, but include lease agreements as well as SAAN Store brand names. If all goes well, Roellinghoff said the Windsor TB!S store could open as early as November.

The Bargain! Shop will take over the SAAN store lease agreement with Crombie REIT, owners of the Fort Edward Mall. “Basically, we bought out all lease agreements and rights to the SAAN store name,” he said.

Good news for shoppers, staffers

This is good news for local shoppers and could spell even better news for former SAAN employees. Roellinghoff said they plan to hire as many of the original staff as possible. “We'd love to speak with those staff,” he said. “We are planning quite an aggressive recruitment drive for ex-SAAN employees.”

In a recent company press release Roellinghoff was quoted as saying, "the acquisition of the former SAAN locations is very positive, not just for our company and the Canadian vendor community, but also for the towns where SAAN has played a very important role over the years.

“Our goal is to reopen those stores as The Bargain! Shop locations as soon as possible, and we're hopeful that many of the former SAAN associates will consider joining TB!S to help us make that happen.”

TBS is a Canadian-owned retail chain with over 180 stores, located mainly in smaller communities and neighborhoods across the country. The company boasts their stores carry a wide range of brand name, quality products for the home as well as grocery items and clothing for the entire family.

Roellinghoff noted that residents in Windsor may be familiar with TB!S products through their Wolfville, Greenwood and Middleton locations.

For more details of what may be in store, visit www.thebargainshop.com.