Barrhaven’s Wish List: What Should Replace Empty Big Box Stores?

The closure of prominent retail anchor stores in Barrhaven—most notably the liquidation of Bed Bath & Beyond and the downsizing of Best Buy—has left significant commercial spaces vacant. While traditional retail struggles with changing consumer habits, the community has seized the opportunity to reimagine what these large-format buildings could become.

A recent online forum discussion, filled with thousands of reactions and hundreds of comments, paints a clear picture: Barrhaven residents are tired of driving outside the suburb for everyday activities and are overwhelmingly requesting a shift from mere commerce to community-focused experiences and much-needed services.

The Retail Giants: Discount and Specialty Shops

The most consistent demand from residents centers on a handful of key retail brands, illustrating a desire for more affordable and specialized shopping within the neighbourhood.

A clear winner in terms of pure mentions is Giant Tiger. Residents see it as an essential, budget-friendly retailer that would fill a crucial gap, with numerous comments simply stating, “Giant Tiger is very much needed.”

Following closely behind is Michaels, the arts and crafts supply store. Many comments emphasize the inconvenience of travelling to other parts of Ottawa for hobby supplies, calling for a local haven for crafters, small business owners, and parents. Other specialty retail requests include a Hobby Lobby and a resurgence of value-focused general merchandise stores like Zellers.

On the grocery front, the desire for international flavors is evident, with repeated requests for Asian grocery store T&T.

🤸 Experience Over Consumption: The Call for Entertainment

If retail dominates the quantity of mentions, the collective cry for family and teen entertainment is the most passionate. Barrhaven residents feel underserved when it comes to local activities, necessitating long drives to Kanata or the city center.

The big box spaces are seen as the perfect canvas for large-scale, experience-based venues:

• Modern Entertainment Centres: A dedicated, all-ages entertainment complex is a top priority. Suggestions repeatedly include bowling alleys (often combined with an arcade, billiards, and mini-putt), laser tag, and roller rinks. Many mention a desire for a facility that caters to teens, providing a safe and engaging hangout.

• Indoor Play & Sports: For younger children, indoor playgrounds, trampoline parks, and aquatics facilities (like Kids Can Swim) are highly requested, with one commenter lamenting the disappearance of play places like those once found at McDonald’s. For older residents, indoor pickleball courts and a dedicated climbing gym are popular choices to fill a void in indoor athletic activities.

• Cultural Hubs: A desire for more cultural spaces surfaced, with calls for a modern cinema (or a significant upgrade to the existing Cineplex), a live theatre or performance venue, and even a space for an art gallery.

⚕️ Health, Wellness, and Community Services

The community also highlighted the need for services that improve quality of life, moving beyond leisure and commerce.

Fitness is a recurring theme, with Planet Fitness and other budget gyms mentioned frequently as providing an affordable option for health and wellness. In a rapidly growing suburb, many comments strongly advocate for essential services, primarily a Medical Centre or clinic. Residents envision a multi-disciplinary hub where family doctors, specialists, and imaging services could coexist, making healthcare more convenient and localized.

Finally, a number of comments explored more non-traditional but powerful uses for the massive retail venues:

• Small Business Incubators: Several individuals suggested dividing the large space into smaller retail units or a “makers’ market” to allow local crafters and entrepreneurs to sell their products without the risk of a high-rent lease.

• Community Services: Ideas ranged from an indoor dog park to a YMCA, a much-needed teen centre, and even a satellite government office (Service Ontario/Canada).

In summary, the Barrhaven community is using the big box vacancies not as a cause for concern, but as a chance to demand a better-balanced suburb. The message is clear: the next chapter for these spaces must prioritize convenience, community engagement, and family-friendly experiences over the traditional, purely retail-driven model that is rapidly becoming a relic of the past.