The Ailes de la Mode retail chain is seeking to set up two department stores in former Hudson’s Bay Company spaces in Montreal and Quebec City, The Canadian Press reported.

Ailes is owned by Fairweather, which is also attempting to set up an Ailes store in a former Bay store space at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Recent filings say Les Ailes de la Mode plans to take over the two former Bay stores in Montreal and Quebec, with openings targeted for the first half of this year, according to CP.

Les Ailes de la Mode is a Canadian department store founded in 1994. It was purchased by the Fairweather Group in fall 2005 but later faltered and now operates only a small number of shops selling deeply discounted clothing. Fairweather has been planning its renaissance in recent months while seeking to acquire former Bay store spaces.

A representative for Fairweather, which is owned by the Benitah family, did not immediately comment to CP.

At Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Ailes wants to take over a lease held by Hudson’s Bay and RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. But Oxford Properties, the mall’s owner, is opposing the move, arguing the brand is too downmarket for Yorkdale’s luxury positioning, while RioCan supports the tenancy.

A judge heard arguments on the dispute last week but has not yet issued a decision, CP reported.

According to RioCan’s court filings, which include an affidavit from chief financial officer Dennis Blasutti, Fairweather has “finalized arrangements” with landlord Primaris for two Quebec stores that will take possession of on Feb. 1, CP reported.

Primaris owns Les Galeries de la Capitale in Quebec City and has announced plans to acquire Promenades St-Bruno, south of Montreal, from Cadillac Fairview. Both malls previously housed HBC locations until the retailer collapsed last March. Primaris CEO Alex Avery did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The filings say the new Les Ailes de la Mode stores will include departments for men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, footwear, housewares, home decor, accessories, luggage, seasonal toys and confectionary, according to CP.

Blasutti said RioCan has been told Fairweather intends to use the Les Ailes de la Mode brand in Quebec and the shortened Ailes name in Ontario, including for the proposed Yorkdale location, CP reported.

Citing the court documents, CP reported that small Les Ailes de la Mode stores in Quebec, including locations at the Place Vertu and Carré Décarie malls in Montreal, have recently had their signage removed as Fairweather prepares to transition them to other brands.

The Hudson’s Bay Company, Canada’s oldest firm, went out of business last summer due to about $1.1 billion in debt. It is currently going through creditor-protection and receivership proceedings.

Pictured: Carré Décarie mall

Photo: Trip Advisor