Montréal has welcomed a new upscale mall, Royalmount, which has garnered attention for its food hall and luxury brand offerings. While a friend invited me to check it out, I find malls generally unappealing for solo shopping; their designed environments often amplify my desire to acquire, leading me to purchase items I don’t need.
Royalmount features global luxury brands alongside fast-fashion giants, with a smattering of local designers. Malls can be enjoyable when shared with friends, providing a mix of shopping and socializing, but they lack the unique character of independent shops, feeling more like algorithm-driven entities rather than spaces infused with personal sensibility.
In contrast, Plaza St-Hubert offers a vibrant, eclectic mix of stores and a sense of community. This stretch of shops, with its diverse offerings—from fabric shops to quaint eateries—feels more authentic and less commercialized. It caters to everyday needs and fosters a different kind of connection, embracing a gritty charm.
The fundamental difference lies in their purposes: Royalmount is aspirational and consumer-driven, while Plaza St-Hubert is grounded in everyday life, reflecting a diverse urban culture. The allure of a glamorous mall may be enticing, but the charm of a motley marketplace can be far more fulfilling, highlighting the different reasons why we seek out these spaces.