New retail chain to launch in Canada — at former Bed Bath & Beyond locations

A Canadian retail mogul is stepping into the gap left by the demise of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

Doug Putman plans to launch a new Canadian home store concept called Rooms + Spaces. The brand will debut this summer, opening its first 21 locations across Canada in former Bed Bath and Beyond and BuyBuy Baby storefronts. The move comes as Bed Bath & Beyond is winding down its business after filing for bankruptcy.

Putman is acquiring more than 800,000 sq. ft. sq. ft. of real estate with the acquisition. (See end of article for locations.)

The new company will be led by Greg Dyer, formerly general manager of Bed Bath & Beyond Canada.

Rooms + Spaces will carry a broad range of products for every room in the home. The stores will cater to “the modern shopper who is looking to create spaces throughout their home that reflect their unique personality and style,” the company said, and support Canadian businesses and suppliers wherever possible.

Putman is the founder of Ancaster-based Putman Investments. He has bought other iconic brands when they went insolvent, including Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us Canada, Sunrise Records, HMV in the U.K. and FYE, a pop culture chain in the U.S.

“With so many empty storefronts across the country right now, Canadians are craving enjoyable in-store shopping experiences, where they can see and touch products, especially when it comes to outfitting a home,” said Putman. “I see such a strong opportunity to invest in Canadian retail and I'm always looking for new opportunities," "The creation of a new home brand was a natural addition to my retail portfolio, which now provides shoppers with everything they need across the baby, toy and home categories."

Room + Spaces stores will be located in former Bed Bath & Beyond and Buybuy Baby locations in the following cities:

British Columbia:

• Kelowna: Orchard Plaza, 1540 Keehn Road
• Langley: Langley City Square, 19860 Langley Bypass
• Vancouver: 1740 West Broadway
• Victoria: Mayfair, 775 Finlayson Street

Alberta:

• Calgary: Brentwood Village, 3630 Brentwood Road
• Calgary: Chinook Station, 306 Glenmore Trail SW
• Edmonton: South Edmonton Common, 2021-98 Street NW
• Edmonton: West Edmonton Mall, 8882 170 Street

Saskatchewan:

• Regina: Grasslands, 4855 Gordon Road
• Saskatoon: Preston West, 1709 Preston Avenue North

Ontario:

• Belleville: Bell Front Shopping Centre, 366 North Front Street
• Cambridge: Smartcentres Cambridge, 70 Pinebush Road
• East Gwillimbury: Green Lane Centre, 1-18126 Yonge Street
• Kitchener: The Boardwalk, 225 The Boardwalk
• London: Westwood Centre, 3325 Wonderland Road
• Richmond Hill: Bayview Ridge Shopping Centre, 225 High Tech Road
• Stittsville: 5487 Hazeldean Road
• Stoney Creek: Heritage Greene, 1783 Stone Church Road East
• Whitby: Thickson Ridge Power Centre, 1650 Victoria Street East
• Woodbridge: RioCan Colossus Centre, 67 Colossus Drive

Newfoundland:

• St. John's: The Village Shopping Centre, 430 Topsail Road