Upscale Quebec City-based footwear retailer Jean-Paul Fortin has opened its first location outside of the province of Quebec, at Toronto’s updated Yorkville Village. The new store features an updated architectural style, as well as the first to include retailer’s new stylized logo.

The Toronto opening kicks off a national retail expansion that will see the retailer open stores across the country. In a recent interview, Jean-Paul Fortin's President, Francois Monat, revealed plans to eventually open in markets such as Vancouver and Calgary, after initially entering the Ontario market. Jeff Berkowitz of Aurora Realty Consultants is the broker responsible for the expansion.

The 2,400 square foot Yorkville Village Jean-Paul Fortin features bright lights, clear sight lines, and ample windows displaying product to passers-by. Jean-Paul Fortin worked in partnership with design firm GH+A design, and Mr. Monat praised their work. The store features marble and gold accents, giving the store a luxe look that fits in with the area. An exceptional selection of in-store brands include Stuart Weitzman, Aquatalia, Magnanni, Kate Spade, Peter Kaiser, AGL, Brunate, DVF, Ted Baker, Vince and the more upscale Michael Kors collection, among others — with collections for both women and men. Mr. Monat revealed that Bally will be the next big brand to be carried at Jean-Paul Fortin.

The Yorkville store is also the first in the company to feature Jean-Paul Fortin’s new stylized logo, which was also recently introduced to the company’s website. Mr. Monat said that the retailers’s other stores will soon get new signage as well.

The company will also be opening more stores — Ontario will be the initial focus for the next couple of years, prior to expanding westward. The Vancouver market is a target for at least one store, and Calgary could see a Jean-Paul Fortin location as well. Mr. Monat noted that the Greater Toronto Area could easily support multiple locations, given its size.

The Yorkville Village Jean-Paul Fortin flagship is located across the hall from the centre's newly-opened Belstaff store, which is only the second standalone location for the brand in North America. North America’s first freestanding location for Italian luxury brand Eleventy also just opened in partnership with TNT The New Trend, which is also expanding its presence in the centre. The Chase Group’s new restaurant concept Palm Lane will open this Friday directly in front of Jean-Paul Fortin, and restaurant patrons will be able to see directly into the attractive new Jean-Paul Fortin retail space.

Founded in 1964 in Quebec City, the Jean-Paul Fortin name is a combination of its founder’s name (Paul Fortin), and the street on where its first store was located (St-Jean Street in Quebec City). The company currently has 12 locations, including eight Jean-Paul Fortin stores, three Les Pieds sur Terre (comfort-focused fashionable footwear) locations, and one Le Placard store. Of these, six are in the metro Quebec City area, five are in/near Montreal, and one is in Toronto. Jean-Paul Fortin also operates the footwear concession at the upscale Ogilvy department store in downtown Montreal.

*All photos were provided by Ben Rahn/A-Frame Inc.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: September 21, 2017