The shutdown of La Cordée, one of Quebec’s best-known outdoor retailers, is putting some significant retail space back in landlords’ hands, including a 25K-SF downtown Montreal flagship that opened only three years ago.

The 73-year-old chain, which sells camping, hiking, cycling and ski gear and apparel, said Wednesday it will cease operations within weeks. The announcement comes less than three months after it sought creditor protection with more than $13M in debt.

One of the largest immediate vacancies is at Promenades Cathédrale, 625 Sainte-Catherine St. W., where La Cordée closed its 25K-SF store Sept. 18. The underground shopping centre is jointly owned by Mach and Groupe Petra, with Petra handling leasing.

The La Cordée space does not yet appear among the centre’s publicly marketed vacancies, creating a sizeable new block for the owners to reposition in the heart of downtown Montreal.

The closure also changes the retail component of Mach’s redevelopment at 2159 Sainte-Catherine St. E., La Cordée’s home for about 50 years.

Mach is replacing the former two-storey store with a seven-storey project containing 82 rental units and ground-floor commercial space. La Cordée had been expected to return in a smaller format.

That project continues to advance, with a demolition permit issued in May and construction permit Sept. 10. But Mach now needs a new tenant for the retail space La Cordée was expected to occupy.

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