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Press Release

June 27, 2022

University District to Welcome Four New Retailers

The highly popular Fuwa Fuwa Japanese Pancakes will be among good company. Almond Nail Bar, Foxy Box and Bottoms Up Scrubs are the newest additions announced for University District.

University of Calgary Properties Group (UCPG) and U/D are pleased to announce four new retailers joining University District. They include North America’s largest soufflé pancake and dessert café, Fuwa Fuwa Japanese Pancakes, an inclusive laser and wax bar, Foxy Box, a growing franchise, Almond Nail Bar, and a workwear retailer for healthcare professionals, called Bottoms Up Scrubs.

These additions are anticipated to open in fall 2022 and will add to the neighbourhood’s 20+ retailers already established in the progressive and award-winning community. The retail offerings include a blend of recognized national and global brands, as well as locally owned and operated success stories. University District’s vibrancy has led it to be named the 2022 national winner of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) Award for Best Growing Community.

Fuwa Fuwa Japanese Pancakes: Fuwa Fuwa is the largest soufflé pancake and dessert café in North America and is expected to make a serious splash in U/D this fall. Home to their famous fluffy cakes, Fuwa Fuwa will feel right at home beside other culinary delights on the Retail Main Street along University Avenue. The U/D location will be its second in Calgary.

Foxy Box Wax Bar: Foxy Box offers both laser hair removal and full body waxing in a comfortable and inclusive environment. Locally owned and operated, Foxy Box in U/D is a women-run organization dedicated to making hair removal accessible to everyone.

Almond Nail Bar: As Canada’s premium nail bar, this growing franchise will be the first of its kind in U/D. Almond Nail Bar will provide a variety of services including manicures, pedicures, facials and more.

Bottoms Up Scrubs: In proximity to the Alberta Children’s Hospital and the University of Calgary, this healthcare and uniform clothing retailer will be a fitting destination for healthcare professionals in the area. With one location already thriving in southeast Calgary, Bottoms Up Scrubs is expected to continue its success in U/D.

These exciting additions will come just in time for the grand opening of the highly-anticipated Central Commons Park, also scheduled to open this fall. Central Commons Park will feature a winter skating rink with a cooling system, a splash pad, a staging area for concerts, a picnic area with tables and BBQ pits, fire features, patio space, public washrooms, showers for bike commuters working in U/D, a public plaza and plenty of underground parking.

“The vibrancy of the retail district combined with unique residential offerings and the construction of community landmarks such as the development of Central Commons Park are making University District a vibrant and award-winning destination for Calgarians from all corners of the city to visit and choose as their home,” says UCPG President and CEO, James Robertson. “The Retail Main Street in University District has been thoughtfully designed to allow ease of shopping, eating, exploring and experiencing the community by foot, bike, transit or vehicle.”

A rendering of Central Commons Park

Robertson continues, “We are continuing to expand our culinary and entertainment offerings in University District, and the growing collection is truly making the neighbourhood a fantastic place to live, work and play.”

University Avenue has seen a vast number of openings in recent months, including The Alley Bubble Tea and Staples, featuring their latest innovation “Studio Space,” a new approach to coworking with access to rentable desks, meeting, and event spaces. These two openings come just ahead of the highly-anticipated opening of Murrieta’s Hospitality new restaurant Borough Bar + Grill, which is scheduled to open in July 2022.

About University of Calgary Properties Group

University of Calgary Properties Group Ltd. (UCPG) was created by the University of Calgary to oversee the development and management of university land projects. With a financial model that provides an innovative approach to land development, residual profits from UCPG are directed back to the University to fuel its academic mission. Setting a high standard for sustainable and progressive neighbourhood design, UCPG’s team and 14-member board of directors are dedicated to creating, developing and managing premier communities. With the masterplan for University District underway and portfolio diversification with University Innovation Quarter, UCPG is delivering on creating amazing places for people to thrive.

About University District

To the west of the University of Calgary and overlooking the Bow River and Rocky Mountains, University District is a comprehensive 200-acre community with a bold new vision for urban life in Calgary. Through a collaborative, people-first design process, the master planning and thorough engagement program forged strong respect between local stakeholders and UCPG. The neighbourhood applies the best ideas in city design and incorporates the wants and needs of surrounding legacy communities – weaving current aesthetic, technology, and lifestyle options into the strong social fabric of the city. University District is the 2022 national winner of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) Award for Best Growing Community.

For more information about University District, visit its Discovery Centre at 4410 University Ave. N.W., Calgary (just north of the Alberta Children’s Hospital) or go online: myuniversitydistrict.ca and visit Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, #UDLife.

Media Relations Contacts

Maureen Henderson
VP, Community Experience
University of Calgary Properties Group
mhenderson@ucpg.ca
(403) 992-8388

Paula Worthington
Worthington PR & Story
paula@worthingtonpr.com
(403) 585-2429