Marie-Christine Paré has just been appointed general manager of the Lebourgneuf shopping center, succeeding Stéphan Landry, who held the position since 2016. The latter becomes director of operations for Quebec and Eastern Ontario for the Primaris group , which acquired the shopping center in September 2024.
“The arrival of a new owner creates new opportunities. It is also an opportunity to renew oneself,” summarizes the new general director who becomes the first woman to occupy the position since the opening in 1981.
The purchase of Galeries des Capitales by Primaris, in September 2024, led to some changes within management. (Caroline Grégoire/Archives Le Soleil)
Employed by Galeries de la Capitale since 2016, Marie-Christine Paré held the position of senior property manager until recently. More specifically, she was responsible for attracting the most popular retailers and negotiating spaces and leases.
Recently, she led the arrival of Miniso and JD Sports, in particular, in addition to discussions with Winners, which will open a store in the fall of 2025 in the vacant space left by the end of the Galeries gourmandes.
“When I arrived at the Galeries in 2016, it was the start of major renovation work. I was able to closely witness the metamorphosis of the site and participate in the development of the Galleries and the Mega Park.”
She points out that $165 million has been invested in redevelopment over the past ten years, including the relocation of Simons and the expansion of the food court.
Residential in the sights
Other major investments are still on the menu. Primaris, the new owner, believes very much in the “incredible development potential offered by the Galeries site”, maintains the new general director.
This development would involve the construction of residential units and a mix of activities on the Galeries site itself, believes Ms. Paré.
“The geographical position of our site is ideal for building residential.”
-— Marie-Christine Paré, general director of Galeries de la Capitale
However, construction is not for tomorrow.
Currently, Primaris is in purchasing mode, confirms the general director. “They aim to acquire other shopping centers in the country first,” she says.
With a portfolio valued at 2.8 billion, Primaris specializes in the acquisition of shopping centers. Five of Canada’s ten largest pension funds have sold to the shopping center investor.
Galeries de la Capitale represents Primaris’ second acquisition in Quebec, after Place du Couronne in Saguenay.
A good holiday season
It is time to take stock of the shopping center, which experienced traffic similar to 2023 during the holiday season, summarizes the general director.
“Unlike others, the rain and changeable weather helped us.”
The only downside: the labor conflict at Renaud-Bray caused “disappointment” among customers. She says she hopes the situation will be resolved soon.
