D1

By KRIS MCDAVID
mcdavid.kristofer@dailygleaner.com

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The Corbett Centre retail development is beginning to show signs of life.

Enlarge Photo

STEPHEN MACGILLIVRAY PHOTO

WELCOME TO THE RANCH: Montana's Cookhouse opened its doors Tuesday. Above, general manager Greg Plester, second from right, welcomes Zoey Nicholas, 3, and her mom Erin Sappier, left, and dad Jason Nicholas, right. Also shown is server Kristy Fitzpatrick.

The University of New Brunswick leased approximately 18 hectares (45 acres) of land to developers Trinity Development Inc. and RioCan.

Montana's Cookhouse opened its doors Tuesday, and Dollarama started up Aug. 5.

Home Depot has been open in the Corbett Centre since the summer of 2006.

This September, other businesses are expected to open, including an East Side Mario's restaurant, a Michael's craft store, a Petcetera pet store, and a Linens 'N Things home decor centre.

The local Winners branch located in the Smythe Street Canadian Tire Plaza will also move to the new uptown development.

"Our opening date is Sept. 16 and we're moving because we wanted more space to provide a greater selection of merchandise for our customers," said Dana Scott, manager of Winners.

"We've been at this location for seven years, and it's been great, but it'll be nice to move into a new building and get a fresh new look."

Scott said the new location will provide the business with about 550 square metres of space, and will feature more of everything for its customers.

"It'll have an expanded home department and just a lot more merchandise and obviously clothing as well," said Scott. "We're phenomenally excited to get over there."

Dan Benoit, a spokesman for East Side Mario's, said construction on the Italian restaurant has been dampened by weather, but the business is still on track for its target opening date of Sept. 3.

"At one point we actually had to tent off the whole building so that we could get some work done, but things are looking good," said Benoit.

Benoit said the owners of the Fredericton franchise, Dana Harper and Denis Pope, are hiring staff and preparing for the start date.

"They're like kids before Christmastime right now, which is great," said Benoit.

Red Yu, a spokesman for Vancouver-based pet-specialty store Petcetera said it's targeting a grand opening date of Sept. 27, but the store could be open as early as Sept. 8.

A spokeswoman for Dallas, Tex.-based Michael's, an arts and craft specialty store with locations in Saint John and Moncton, said it's hopeful to have the Fredericton location up and running by Sept. 20.

Attempts to reach representatives from Linens 'N Things by phone on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

A proposed warehouse club-style facility may also open at the site.