A Day in the Life of Puptown Grooming Salon: A Family Business Success Story

Meet Emma Lafontaine and her mother, Susan Gillespie, the dynamic duo behind Puptown Grooming Salon. With over a decade of experience in the dog grooming industry, Emma and Susan decided to venture out on their own, creating a family business that has become a beloved part of their community.

From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Business

Starting a new business is never easy, and Puptown Groomers was no exception. The first few weeks were quiet, but word of mouth quickly spread, and soon they were overwhelmed with clients. Today, they have a long waitlist, a testament to their dedication and passion for dog grooming.

What Sets Puptown Grooming Salon Apart

Emma and Susan’s love for dogs is evident in every aspect of their business. They take their time with each dog, ensuring a calm and peaceful environment with soft music and aromatherapy. Their services range from nail clippings and ear cleanings to specialized care for anxious or disabled dogs. They avoid having multiple dogs in cages, focusing on one dog at a time to provide the best care possible.

Community and Camaraderie

Located conveniently off the highway at Plaza Baie d’Urfé, Puptown Groomers is part of a family-oriented area where clients can run errands at the shopping centre while their dogs are groomed. Clients can drop off their dogs and visit nearby stores like SAQ, dry cleaners, and Maxi for groceries, making it a convenient stop for busy pet owners.

Emma and Susan have built strong relationships with their clients and other local shop owners, creating a supportive community.

A Legacy of Care and Expertise

Emma and Susan are highly respected within the dog grooming industry, with in-depth experience in grooming all varieties of domestic and exotic dog breeds. They provide a vast array of specialty cuts and guarantee an unmatched grooming experience for your precious companion. Puptown Grooming Salon is also the recognized dog groomer for the dog rescue organizations GERDY’S and the SPCA.

Running a family business has its challenges, but for Emma and Susan, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. Their bond with the dogs and their clients is what makes Puptown Groomers a special place.

Looking to the Future

The future looks bright for Puptown Groomers. Emma and Susan are considering expanding their services to include dog food, clothing, and accessories, and even opening a second location. They also see a growing demand for doggy daycare services.

As Emma and Susan continue to nurture and grow Puptown Groomers, their unwavering passion and dedication to providing exceptional care for their furry clients remain at the heart of their success. With plans for future expansion and an ever-increasing demand for their personalized services, the journey ahead promises to be as rewarding as it is exciting. Puptown Groomers stands as a place of quality and compassion in the dog grooming community, a place where every dog is treated with the love and respect they deserve.

Learn more about Puptown Groomers on their Website and Instagram!

Our intern applications for 2025 have closed – stay tuned for next year’s announcements! Click here to apply and explore our other openings today.

Since the first cohort joined us in 2017, we’ve had many talented young professionals come through our Summer Intern Program, kick off their careers, and ultimately make their mark in the Canadian Real Estate industry. We’re looking for the next generation of Real Estate professionals to revolutionize and push our industry forward. Do you have what it takes?

About FCR’s Unique Intern Program

In addition to day-to-day assignments, Interns have access to a series of learning and networking events, mentorship sessions from our leaders, and an end-of-term Capstone Project. Our goal is to provide all program graduates with a solid understanding of our business, the Canadian Real Estate (CRE) industry, and a wealth of valuable connections.

The program spans from May to August and we offer positions in many departments including Asset Strategy, Real Estate Services, Development, Information Technology, Marketing & Communications, People & Culture, Finance & Accounting, Legal, and many more across our offices in Canada. There’s truly something for everyone!

What Does Our Program Feature?

Our program features role-specific projects, weekly Learning and Mentorship Sessions, Intern Socials, Networking Events, and the end-of-term Capstone Project:

The Capstone Project Presentation

Our Interns also take part in the Capstone Project that ties all the foundational elements of the internship program — practical work experience, collaboration, research, and innovative problem-solving. Interns from across their disciplines work together and look for ways to drive creativity and innovation within our portfolio of mixed-use real estate. This project spans the entirety of the program and is presented to our Executive Leadership Team at the end of the four-month term. Talk about real work experience!

Why First Capital?

At First Capital, we offer a dynamic and diverse environment that allows for all our employees to grow and be successful. We invest in those who are passionate about what they do, are always willing to put their best foot forward, and are dedicated to working together to drive innovation and achieve success.

We’re passionate about empowering the next generation of professionals in the real estate industry, and we aim to continue growing and implementing our yearly intern program to achieve this goal. Challenging, exciting, dynamic, and rewarding; FCR’s workplace offers enriching opportunities to grow and contribute meaningfully to our neighbourhoods.

Interested in joining our Intern Program for 2025?

Applications are currently open! Click here to apply and explore our openings today. (Application deadline: February 7 at 5:00pm EST)

Join our Virtual Coffee Chats!

We will also be hosting Virtual Coffee Chats on January 23 at 3:00 PM EST and February 3 at 3:00 PM EST, where you can learn more about First Capital, the Intern Program, and ask any questions you may have.

January 23 at 3:00pm EST

February 3 at 3:00pm EST

Our cohort from Summer 2024

Uniting Canadian retail leaders to support their climate initiatives through collaboration and innovation.

Why We Need to Take Action?

Since 1950, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have surged dramatically, leading to unprecedented global temperature increases and record levels of greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. Climate-related natural disasters are on the rise, posing severe risks to the livelihood of millions globally and causing significant economic losses.

Buildings are the third-largest source of emissions in Canada, following oil & gas, and transportation. The industry’s current trajectory is insufficient to achieve net-zero emissions in Canadian buildings by 2050. We must increase the pace of retrofits and rethink how we design and construct new buildings.

Retail buildings present specific challenges. Due to the interconnected operational model of retail tenants and landlords, it is essential to collaborate to progress our respective climate initiatives and emissions reduction goals.

What is the Collaboration for Climate Action Forum?

On November 28, 2024, we hosted our second Collaboration for Climate Action Forum in collaboration with Canadian Tire, RBC and Quinn & Partners. The Forum brought together leaders from retail tenant and landlord organizations for a day of insightful discussions and collaborative efforts aimed at achieving a reduction of emissions faster.

The Forum is a unique gathering that focuses on fostering collaboration between retail tenants and landlords to tackle common challenges in the journey towards decarbonization. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to share innovative solutions, learn from each other, and brainstorm the many ways that all parties can work together to achieve intersecting decarbonization and net-zero goals.

This one day event has doubled in numbers since it was first held in 2022 and has significantly expanded in terms of individual stakeholder domains. Participation from retail landlords included FCR, CT REIT, Crombie, Choice Properties, Brookfield Properties, RioCan, Smart Centres, and Morguard. Retail tenants in attendance included Canadian Tire, RBC, Loblaws, Longo’s, Sobeys Dollarama, Scotiabank, BMO, Metro, TD Canada Trust, TJX, Empire Companies Ltd, and CIBC, along with industry associations REALPAC, BOMA Canada and the Retail Council of Canada. The individuals representing these organizations had a wide range of expertise, working across many different areas within the retail industry including, construction, development, leasing, legal, finance, building operations and sustainability.

The collective market cap of the companies at the Forum was over $900 billion, a 55% increase since 2022. The total GHG footprint represented also rose from 2 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 to over 3.6 million tonnes due to increased participation and more buildings being included in scope.

The significant interest from our retail peers and tenants in the Forum demonstrates a shared view that collaboration is a viable strategy to decarbonizing retail buildings and the industry is open to new ways of thinking.
Melissa Ferrato, Vice President, ESG, First Capital REIT

What was accomplished?

The day began with attendees networking to connect and prepare for the sessions ahead. Next, a keynote address provided a comprehensive overview of both the urgency and business case for decarbonization. The address also highlighted upcoming regulatory changes and trends in the market, technology, and real estate ecosystem.

A panel session followed, featuring representatives from FCR, RBC, Canadian Tire and CT REIT. This session provided valuable insights into real world solutions and strategies. The facilitated panel discussion and audience Q&A allowed for an engaging exchange of ideas and experiences.

Panelists shared their successes and lessons learned from pilot projects and initiatives, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of collaborative decarbonization efforts. One such initiative is a formal collaboration between FCR and RBC to decarbonize RBC branches located at FCR properties. As discussed during the panel, First Capital and RBC have agreed to prioritize the installation of lower emissions generating HVAC equipment across their leased spaces through the process of electrification. This collaboration supports both organizations in their goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Landlords are a significant stakeholder in our journey to reduce emissions and that’s why I’m excited to share that RBC will be collaborating with First Capital REIT with respect to the decarbonization of commercial retail properties.As a major landlord that operates several RBC branch locations, the collaboration with First Capital is important in addressing RBC’s operational emissions controlled by landlords, and a signal to the marketplace that this should be a priority. I anticipate engagement like this will help drive more climate action in the real estate sector.
Jon Douglas, Director, Global Climate & Sustainability Operations, RBC

In the afternoon, participants split into groups to brainstorm actions for significant carbon reductions by 2025-2030. They tackled five key challenges faced by landlords and tenants in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Summary of the five key challenges:

High Capital Requirements and Uncertain Financial Returns: Decarbonizing buildings often requires substantial upfront investment, particularly for large-scale retrofits and electrification. Many landlords and tenants struggle to justify these costs, as short-term financial returns may not meet hurdle rates or justify the long-term environmental benefits. This challenge is exacerbated if there is not a clear business case for decarbonization, limited incentives, higher interest rates, and insufficient tax or financing mechanisms to ease the financial burden.

Complexity of Data Collection and Data Management: Consistently tracking and reporting energy use and emissions data is challenging. Many times, landlords and tenants do not have access to whole building data. Data collection practices, cadence and systems often vary, making it difficult to accurately measure progress and set actionable goals. This lack of standardized, timely and high-quality data limits both landlords’ and tenants’ ability to make informed decisions about where and how to invest in emissions reduction.

Dependency on Tenant – Landlord Cooperation and Cost-Sharing Barriers: Decarbonization in tenant-controlled spaces requires close collaboration between landlords and tenants and the sharing of investment costs and operational savings, but long-term leases and existing cost structures make cooperation challenging. Many tenants may be reluctant to invest in an asset which they do not own, and landlords do not achieve financial payback on operational savings. Landlords may also lack leverage to mandate energy efficiency and decarbonization efforts in tenant spaces. This creates a gap in achieving whole-building emissions reduction.

Grid Decarbonization and Capacity Limitations: Building electrification depends on the availability of low-carbon electricity and grid capacity, which vary by region. Limited electric grid capacity in certain areas restricts the potential for large-scale electrification. In addition, many shopping centres are already experiencing capacity constraints due to installation of EV chargers. This uncertainty can deter investment in electric-based technologies, as landlords and tenants are unsure if the grid will support future low-carbon needs.

Competing Priorities and Limited Internal Resources Impede Landlord – Tenant Collaboration: Decarbonization planning is time-intensive and requires a coordinated effort across multiple departments as well as robust engagement between landlords and tenants. Internally, both landlords and tenants have competing priorities, limited staff dedicated to sustainability and external stakeholder engagement, as well as internal stakeholders who may lack buy-in or expertise in decarbonization. These factors create challenges for effective collaboration, slowing progress on decarbonization initiatives that demand both independent and joint action.

By day’s end, participants regrouped to discuss breakout session results, gaining a deeper understanding of the proposed solutions and their potential impact. The Forum concluded with a recap, as attendees continued to network and review results, fostering collaboration and relationship-building.

We are proud to convene such an influential group of retail leaders. We know that we cannot solve climate change by working in individual silos. Our hope is to build a collaboration model that can be adopted in other industries too.
Francisca Quinn, Founder and President, Quinn+Partners

Taking Action Through Collaboration

The 2024 Collaboration for Climate Action Forum focused on decarbonizing Canadian retail real estate, offering insights into pilot projects on data, technology, and regulatory cooperation. It served as a platform for shaping future industry standards through engagement with various stakeholders. Sessions aimed at generating collaborative solutions facilitated the development of strategies for achieving lower GHG emissions. As the industry works towards lower emissions, the insights and collaborations from this Forum are expected to influence its progress.

A report summarizing the breakout group solutions and next steps will be released to participants in early 2025.

Today, organizations that focus on supporting the community and promoting inclusivity play a vital role in shaping a better future. A great example of this is the inspiring partnership between First Capital and Project Canoe, aimed at empowering youth and building a more inclusive society.

Introduction to Project Canoe

Project Canoe is dedicated to providing therapeutic and outdoor programs to youth across Ontario. By embracing the healing power of nature and adventure, Project Canoe creates meaningful experiences that truly make a difference in the lives of the youth they work with. Their mission aligns perfectly with First Capital’s commitment to community engagement and making a positive impact.

First Capital’s ED&I Council

Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) efforts are centred around fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive culture. Since 2020, our ED&I Council has been focusing on four pillars: Foundation, Recognition and Celebration, Education, and Community. We’ve recently refreshed the ED&I branding to “Everyone Belongs,” reflecting a commitment to supporting a more inclusive workplace. Our programs actively engage employees, tenants, vendors, and community stakeholders to help boost equity, diversity, and inclusiveness in the neighbourhoods where First Capital operates.

The First Capital x Project Canoe partnership

The partnership between First Capital and Project Canoe is a testament to the shared values that both organizations hold. Here’s how we are actively supporting Project Canoe:

1. Space Donation

We donated unused storage space at Kingston Square, Scarborough, for Project Canoe to store equipment and gear. This has allowed Project Canoe to deliver their programs more efficiently and connect deeper with the local Scarbrough community.

2. ED&I Council Involvement

Members of First Capital’s ED&I Council have been actively supporting Project Canoe’s mission, and are focused on growing these partnerships through community engagement.

3. Volunteer Opportunities

At First Capital we are encouraging our employees to volunteer with Project Canoe, leveraging the company’s Volunteer Day initiative to provide further support to the organization.

4. Tenant Engagement

We are exploring innovative ways to engage its tenants in supporting Project Canoe, such as through donations and other efforts to help their programs continue to grow.

Through this partnership, Project Canoe’s ability to positively impact the lives of youth in Ontario has grown tremendously. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to driving positive change and fostering inclusivity in the communities we serve. As the partnership between First Capital and Project Canoe continues to grow, it serves as a great reminder of how organizations can come together to build a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.

For more information on our ED&I Council, click here

To learn more about Project Canoe, click the links below:

Website

Instagram

In 2022, we introduced our Best & Brightest Awards Program (or “Besties” for short) that celebrates our employees who demonstrate and embody our five core values: Collaboration, Innovation, Excellence, Accountability, and Passion. Each of the five winners receive $2,500 worth of FCR units, an official certificate, and 5 additional vacation days. All employees were given the opportunity to nominate their colleagues and the winners were chosen by our carefully appointed selection committee. The five winners were announced at our Celebrating Our People Townhall that took place in late November.

Why We Do It

Here at FCR, we don’t let hard work go unnoticed and the goal is to improve upon and grow our efforts in recognizing our best and brightest people. We invest in those who are passionate about what they do, are always willing to put their best foot forward, and are dedicated to working together to drive innovation and achieve success.

Our five values govern everything we do, guide our actions, and inspire us to be our best and brightest. As a leader in Canada’s commercial real estate industry, we strive for excellence in all aspects of our business, and it starts with our people. Challenging, exciting, dynamic, and rewarding; FCR’s workplace offers enriching opportunities to grow and contribute meaningfully to our neighbourhoods.

2023 Best & Brightest Awards Winners

We’re delighted to share the winners for last year’s Best & Brightest Awards:

Collaboration

We believe in having one team with one cohesive purpose that works toward achieving a common goal. We know that our best work is done with the help of our peers, and we recognize those who champion collaboration within their own team and across the business. Our Besties Collaboration Award went to Noah Parker, Director of Marketing & Communications.

“Noah makes FCR as a whole an incredible place to work with his bright, charismatic personality. He has been instrumental in a number of successful projects, helping us work together to achieve our common goals. From developing a new leads pipeline in leasing, to contributing to the success of our recent Softball event, his dedication to his work and the Foundation sets a high standard for all in collaboration with him.”

Innovation

We give our staff the freedom to challenge the status quo and drive innovation in the workplace. They are given the opportunity to create positive change and we celebrate those who are always looking for new ways to modernize and progress our business forward. The Besties Innovation Award went to Thao Tran, Senior Data & Automation Analyst.

“Thao is a valued part of the I.T. team with her constant innovation and data integration ideas to simplify the process for the FCR Business Leads. She specializes in bot automation to improve efficiencies of running the monthly reports that can now be done by automation. She has a great attitude and is always willing to listen and learn the process flow before implementing.”

Excellence

We encourage our people to strive for excellence and we value those who are the absolute best at what they do. We’re proud of the quality of our people, especially ones who exhibit greatness and merit in their role and area of expertise. The Besties Excellence Award went to Madeleine Bradshaw, Development Manager.

“Maddie is such a hard worker and is constantly going above and beyond for all sorts of requests. She is quick to respond to all inquiries and is always happy to help even when she’s busy. With a smile, she always delivers what she promises, and she promises to deliver much more than what she is responsible for to help others out.”

Accountability

Part of being an excellent team member means your peers can count on you and trust that you’ll deliver what you promised. We highly regard those who hold themselves accountable and are responsible for meeting deadlines, hitting targets, and achieving goals they committed to. The Besties Accountability Award went to Andrew Chau, Senior Property Manager.

“Andrew is dedicated, hardworking and dependable in every situation. He is always ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done! Andrew has adapted to the many changes in the Edmonton office and has demonstrated his leadership skills within his role by providing guidance and knowledge to the entire Edmonton Team. He IS the best at what he does. Whether it’s assisting Construction, Leasing, or supporting his team, he is always available and provides guidance or suggestion.”

Passion

We celebrate those who are passionate about their role and love what they do. These individuals lead with enthusiasm, have strong motivation, and go above and beyond the standard. A passionate employee is one who genuinely cares and is positively dedicated to their work. The Besties Passion Award went to Crystal Hodgson, Property Tax Senior Manager.

“Crystal has been an instrumental member of the foundation, leading our volunteer day sub-committee with a true passion for helping others. She has made it her mission to ensure that FCR teammates get out and use their volunteer days – not only to make a difference in our neighbourhoods – but also to meet our corporate accountabilities. She puts in extra hours to research and communicate multiple opportunities for teams and individuals to participate in. Her enthusiasm and team spirit is contagious!”

We’d like to congratulate all five Best & Brightest Awards recipients on this well-deserved achievement. Their hard work and commitment to showcase our values has not gone unnoticed and we celebrate those who have gone above and beyond to do so. We’re extremely proud of our team – congratulations to our “Besties”!

Looking to join our dynamic and rewarding team? Explore careers at First Capital here.

At First Capital, we strive to help communities grow and flourish while continuing our work in building thriving neighbourhoods. Our Cedarbrae Mall property is a great example of how we’re making a positive impact in our neighbourhoods by revitalizing our properties. If you have visited Cedarbrae Mall in the past, you may have noticed that it looks completely different today. Keep reading to learn more about our Cedarbrae Mall property, the renovations that took place, and why this redevelopment benefits the local neighbourhood and community!

An Introduction to Cedarbrae Mall

Cedarbrae Mall is located in the heart of Scarborough. With over 60 retailers and restaurants to shop and dine at, this 476,000 sq ft enclosed shopping centre is anchored by Canadian Tire, GoodLife, No Frills, Dollarama, Winners, and LCBO. Cedarbrae Mall is where consumers shop for groceries, prescription drugs, personal care items, and household supplies. They can also do their banking and other personal services, or have a coffee and a bite to eat, making it a true shopping destination for everyday needs. Cedarbrae Mall serves the surrounding family-oriented neighbourhoods with over 103,325 households and a population exceeding 291,400 within a 5km radius.

Demographics

Average Household Income within:

1 km – $73,084

3 km – $73,084

5 km – $79,793

Average number of Households within:

1 km – 4,630

3 km – 46,628

5 km – 103,541

Average Population within:

1 km – 13,879

3 km – 134,886

5 km – 291,487

History of Cedarbrae Mall

Cedarbrae Mall, 2003

Cedarbrae Mall, 2001

The mall opened in 1962 as a plaza and was anchored by a Woolworth’s, a Zellers store, a Steinberg’s and a Simpsons, which later, in 1991 became a Hudson’s Bay.

Renovations to Cedarbrae Mall would soon replace the original anchors, and bring a larger Zellers store, as well as additional retail space to the east and west sides of the mall. A No Frills, Canadian Tire, Toys “R” Us, as well as a renovated food court area and both an upper and lower floor were the next few major events for the mall.

Cedarbrae Mall, 2011

In August 1996, the mall was acquired by First Capital and announced it would begin expansion and renovation. In 2012, the Zellers store was acquired by Target, but later sold to Walmart Canada and opened as Walmart in late 2012. A Jysk store also opened around this time, to the west of No Frills.

Cedarbrae Mall, 2013

During mid-2013, the mall went through major renovations which included the full replacement of the interior and exterior lighting, automatic and energy-efficient washrooms, floor and ceiling finishes, a repaved parking lot, an enhanced food court, and the rebranding of the mall. By late 2013, most of the work was completed, with the exception of final touches such as carpets and mall seating. The food court, named Food Emporium, finished renovations slightly later.

On January 31, 2019, The Walmart closed permanently. This provided First Capital with the perfect opportunity to revitalize and modernize this portion of the mall to better meet the needs of the neighbourhood.

Project Overview: A New Vision

Cedarbrae Mall, 2024

Cedarbrae Mall has been undergoing a lot of new redevelopments and renovations, which were just recently completed. You might be wondering, what’s changed?

At First Capital, we pride ourselves on owning and operating some of the most accessible and conveniently located properties across the country. The former 120,000+ sf Walmart space at Cedarbrae Mall provided us with the opportunity to create better access into the centre while bringing more tenants to the property to better meet the needs of the community:

The 120,000 sf space has been transformed into 18 mixed-use units for future offices and various retailers. The renovated two-storey area has upgraded exteriors, new storefronts, improved public spaces, sidewalks, parking, and a convenient new mall entry. The ground floor now has 16 units, including 5 larger units with new storefronts facing outside and smaller interior units catering to local businesses.

Before the Redevelopment

Cedarbrae Mall, 2013

Cedarbrae Mall, 2014

Construction at Work

Cedarbrae Mall, 2023

Present Day: Redevelopment Now Completed!

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Cedarbrae Mall, 2023

“This exciting new redevelopment will better serve the Scarborough community” But how?

1)New and Relocated Tenants/Stores

Through this redevelopment, we welcomed many new tenants to Cedarbrae Mall, including Winners, Mark’s, Wellwise by Shoppers, Healthy Planet, and many more! This redevelopment provides a healthier tenant mix and an overall diverse shopping environment, adding a range of both national tenants and local businesses to the mall. From health and wellness to fashion and gifts, patrons can conveniently shop for everything they need under one roof. With these new additions, this mall is sure to become a prime shopping hub for tourists and anyone visiting the city!

Here’s a few of the new tenants we welcomed to Cedarbrae Mall:

DOLLARAMA

Cedarbrae Mall – Dollarama, 2024

MARK’S

Cedarbrae Mall – Mark’s, 2024

HEALTHY PLANET

Cedarbrae Mall – Healthy Planet, 2024

WINNERS

Cedarbrae Mall – Winners, 2024

WELLWISE BY SHOPPERS

Cedarbrae Mall – Wellwise by Shoppers, 2024

ARDENE

Cedarbrae Mall – Ardene, 2024

FIT4LESS

Cedarbrae Mall – Fit4Less, 2024

CUNNINGHAM TAEKWONDO

Cedarbrae Mall – Cunningham Taekwondo, 2024

VIRGIN PLUS

Cedarbrae Mall – Virgin Plus, 2024

2) Designed with Visitors, Tourists, and the Local Community in Mind

Improving accessibility, walkability, and the overall appearance was a top priority for Cedarbrae Mall’s redevelopment. Now, with upgraded public areas, sidewalks, and parking, it’s easier than ever to navigate in and around the mall. A convenient new mall entry was also added, bringing the total to four entrances for easy access. As you’ll notice, the upgraded and modernized storefronts give the mall a fresh, new, and inviting look. Finally, with a large selection of new tenants, patrons can enjoy a vibrant and dynamic shopping experience.

Cedarbrae Mall, 2024

3) Added Retail and Future Office Spaces for Local Businesses

This redevelopment adds more spaces and units for local businesses and professionals, allowing new tenants to take advantage of the overall convenience the centre offers. By bringing in a mix of different tenants, the mall attracts a wider range of visitors, ultimately becoming a community hub for the local neighbourhood. This shows that we are not just upgrading the mall, but we are also giving more support to local businesses, providing them with the perfect spaces to grow and thrive.

What’s Next: Our Plans and Goals for Our Properties

Did you know that we hosted a Grand Reopening Event at our Cedarbrae Mall property?

On Friday, March 15th, 2024, we celebrated the reopening of the mall through a Spin-to-Win prize event, showcasing their new tenants and fresh renovations. Everyone had a blast spinning our prize wheel, with chances to win a Cedarbrae Mall-branded tote bag or gift cards from various tenants in the mall, including Winners, Dollarama, Tim Hortons, Mark’s, Ardene, and more. We had a great time serving our tenants and the local community, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for Cedarbrae Mall!

First Capital is pleased to contribute to the growth and revitalization of the Cedarbrae community and continue our work in building thriving neighbourhoods. Like Cedarbrae Mall, we have plans to revitalize various properties across our portfolio. Our goal is to improve the accessibility and convenience of our properties to better serve the needs of the surrounding community. Stay tuned for more updates on how we’re continuing to build thriving neighbourhoods across our properties!

Learn more about Cedarbrae Mall here

Follow Cedarbrae Mall’s Instagram here

Stay up-to-date with Cedarbrae Mall news and promotions here

Our team at First Capital is dedicated to helping businesses succeed, from the moment they speak with our leasing team to the completion of their perfect space with our construction team, and beyond. We take pride in building relationships with our tenants and providing support every step of the way.

We’re excited to give you an inside look into the process of bringing a new tenant into one of our properties through our First Look series. In this episode, we take you through the journey of welcoming Fit4Less to our Fairview Mall location in a 28,000 square foot space. This project is a great example of how we strive to make our centres more accessible and convenient for the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Our Senior Director of construction and Assistant Project Manager share their experience of taking an empty space and transforming it into a thriving business. Join us on this journey to see the process from start to finish.

Watch the Full Video

Since 2006, First Capital has been committed to corporate sustainability through a variety of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives. These practices are integrated into every aspect of our business – from the design and construction of our properties, to how we support our employees’ mental health and well-being, and the charitable giving we offer our communities. To celebrate Earth Day, this month’s blog dives deeper into First Capital’s sustainability targets, specifically our goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. Keep reading to discover some fascinating insights from our current research and see how we’re actively working towards our Net Zero goal.

First Capital’s ESG Targets and Findings

Our Targets

46% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, (SBTi approved)
28% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030 (SBTi aligned)
Net Zero by 2050

Our Findings

Property Emissions Are a Result of Natural Gas and Electricity Use:

Scope 1 (Direct Emissions): Primarily from Natural gas used to heat our buildings.

Scope 2 (Indirect Emissions): Primarily from electricity used at our buildings.

Scope 3 (Indirect Emissions): Primarily the emissions generated by our tenants at our buildings + the emissions from our new developments/construction projects and embodied carbon.

The use of natural gas to heat our buildings is the highest category for emissions. Emissions from electricity use can vary regionally depending on the Provincial electricity grids (e.g. emissions from electricity use in Quebec are quite small because most of the province’s power is generated using clean, renewable hydro power). Heating and cooling equipment (rooftop-units, boilers, fans, ventilation) and lighting are the biggest emission-driving activities at our properties.

First Capital’s Current Status and Action Plan

1 . Reducing our energy usage and consumption

Energy conservation means reducing the amount of energy needed, for example, improving the building envelope with more insulation and sealing windows and doors.

Energy efficiency means improving the performance at the building by installing more efficient equipment such as LED lights, installing controls and heat recovery systems.

Our Current Progress:

Since 2019, First Capital has reduced our GHG Emissions by 9% mainly through reducing our energy consumption at properties. Through our Energy Efficiency Hunts, which is introduced later in this blog, our property teams walk through our buildings every year to identify ways in which we can operate more efficiently, and action on measures identified.

2 . Electrification: Switching where our energy comes from to a lower carbon source

With natural gas usage being the highest category for GHG Emissions, moving toward heating and cooling equipment that uses low-carbon energy will have a large impact at our properties. Heat Pumps and Hybrid Heat Pumps are an alternative to gas-powered rooftop units and operate more efficiently.

Our Current Progress:

To meet our Net-Zero goals we will need to start electrifying our HVAC equipment. We are in the planning and pilot phase and the priority is gas-powered rooftop units that are at end of life. We have identified several common area rooftop units to conduct feasibility studies and pilot heat pump replacements in 2024. Conducting these pilots will allow us to create a standard process and spec to implement heat pump replacements across the portfolio.

3 . Renewable Energy: Obtaining energy from a renewable source

This involves generating on-site renewable electricity for direct use by First Capital through rooftop solar installations. We will also consider future Power Purchase Agreements, allowing us to purchase energy from a renewable energy source.

Our Current Progress:

We are assessing sites to find opportunities in the portfolio and hope to move ahead with our first rooftop solar installation in 2025.

First Capital has made significant strides in reducing emissions and is currently planning measures and activities to achieve our Scope 1, 2 and 3 reduction targets. Continue reading to discover one of our annual ESG Initiatives and how this practice brings us closer to our Net Zero goal!

An ESG Initiative: Annual Energy Efficiency Hunts

In 2022, First Capital’s Operations team was recognized internally for their hard work in identifying energy efficiency opportunities across our properties as part of our annual Energy Efficiency Hunts initiative.

Pointing out opportunities to switch out existing lighting to LEDs

Inspecting external doors for door sealing replacement

Who participated? What did they do?

Each year, Operations Teams in each PMZ (Property Management Zone) choose two properties to perform a walkthrough audit with the goal of identifying energy efficiency opportunities to later act upon and implement solutions that will save energy. These opportunities could be switching out lighting to LEDs, sealing doors and windows to prevent drafts, or adjusting thermostats to more mild temperatures – to name a few.

How was the winning team determined?

The Operations team (by PMZ) in each region that scored the highest number of points was named the winner. Points were awarded based on the number of energy efficiency opportunities identified and extra points were given when solutions were implemented.

Why is this important or useful?

As we know, First Capital is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050. A significant portion of our emissions come from the energy we use to heat and cool our properties. Reducing the amount of energy used will reduce our emissions and bring us closer to meeting our targets.

The Results

Teams identified 298 opportunities (measures) and implemented/completed solutions for 189 of them, which is almost two-thirds of the total number of opportunities identified!

We’re thrilled to continue our Energy Efficiency Hunt initiative and hope to see even better results in the years to come!

The Journey Continues…

From our properties to our corporate practices, First Capital has been a leader in driving sustainability in the Canadian Real Estate industry, which is integral to our strategy of building thriving neighbourhoods. We’re constantly developing our ESG programs, and regularly improving and upgrading our policies. Although we are proud of our many ESG achievements to date, we recognize significant work needs to be done. Join us as we explore what lies ahead for First Capital and how we continue to work towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Click here to read about all things ESG, including our past initiatives, reports, and blog posts.

Stay tuned for our 2025-2030 Roadmap, which will be published later this year!

Our intern applications for 2025 will open in late January. Click here to apply and explore our other positions today!

About FCR’s Unique Intern Program

Our Intern Program gives young professionals access to enriching opportunities to start and accelerate their careers. Through this program, First Capital Interns gain real, meaningful work experience through hands-on activities, working alongside our leaders on exciting projects and strategies. In addition to day-to-day assignments, Interns have access to a series of learning and networking events, mentorship sessions from our leaders, and an end-of-term Capstone Project. Our goal is to provide all program graduates with a solid understanding of our business, the Canadian Real Estate (CRE) industry, and a wealth of valuable connections.

A Recap of our 2023 Summer Intern Program

Our 2023 program, which consisted of 18 interns, featured role-specific projects, weekly Learning and Mentorship Sessions, Intern Socials, Networking Events, and the end-of-term Capstone Project.

The Capstone Project Presentation

Testimonials From Past Interns (and Interns turned Employees!)

What’s it like to intern at First Capital? Check out some testimonials below and get a glimpse into what your experience could be like:

“I joined First Capital as a summer law intern in 2023. During this time, I had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in real estate and leasing law while developing an understanding of the CRE industry. I also had the benefit of working under exceptional mentors who made a point to prioritize my education and growth as a legal professional. I have come to appreciate First Capital’s welcoming culture and have developed lifelong personal and professional relationships with my peers. First Capital’s summer intern program is a valuable springboard to any student’s career, and I cannot endorse it enough.”

– Brody Zuckerman, Summer Law Student (2023)

“FCR promotes the growth of every employee, regardless of position. As a young professional, being challenged and tasked with higher-level responsibilities is a unique way to learn that most internships don’t provide. While I learned how to tackle real-life problems in the CRE industry, I also learned the value of surrounding oneself with professional and personal mentors who want to see you succeed. Thank you to everyone who imparted wisdom and patience over the past 16 weeks, it goes a long way for us!”

– Mafe Angeles, Marketing and Communications Intern (2023)

“In the Summer of 2023, I began my internship with First Capital as a Property Management Intern. FCR’s intern program was exactly what I was looking for, and the skills I gained in correspondence/project management and ESG analysis are all going to be indispensable as I go on to complete my studies. In operations, I wasn’t just an intern; I was a future property manager, and my mentors did everything they could to get me ready for when I find myself working alongside them. The feeling of genuine teamwork is something you can’t find in many workplaces, but everything First Capital did has really made me feel like I’m a part of a family.”

– Nathan Baggs, Property Management Intern (2023)

“This summer I had an amazing time working as a property accounting intern at FCR. I really value that my managers have given me guidance and support, which allows me to develop both personally and professionally. Aside from acquiring a wealth of practical knowledge within my own field, I’ve had the invaluable opportunity to delve into various other departments, fostering connections with professionals across the company and gaining a holistic understanding of its operations. I am truly grateful for such a great experience to contribute, learn, and evolve within FCR’s dynamic and nurturing environment.”

– Angela Wang, Property Accounting Intern (2023)

Over eight years ago, I began my professional journey as an intern at First Capital. This role served as a solid foundation from which to build my career by immersing me in a wide range of projects at a company renowned for its best-in-class portfolio and platform. The invaluable experiences I gained and the guidance of my mentors within the company allowed me to transition seamlessly into a full-time position following my graduation, and I have continued to grow with the company ever since. I would encourage any aspiring professional to explore an internship at First Capital REIT!”

– Jeff Farbman, Vice President of Investments at First Capital

“In the summer of 2022, I began working at First Capital as a marketing intern, and it has been a fulfilling experience ever since. The warm and welcoming work environment provided an excellent introduction to the professional world, allowing me to develop new skills and grow in more ways than I could have imagined. During my internship, I honed a diverse skill set, including collaboration, communication, and organization, and was able to apply much of what I had studied during my academic experience.

After being offered a full-time position in 2023 and getting more involved in the company, I had the opportunity to refine my graphic design skills and work collaboratively across various departments. The exceptional work culture at FCR, coupled with my incredible mentors, has been a valuable asset that has guided and supported me throughout my journey here. I look forward to an exciting future here at FCR.

– Kristian Murphy, Junior Graphic Designer at First Capital

Why First Capital?

Need help with your resume? Check out our blog on resume trends, tips, and tricks you should be thinking about here.

Keep updated on all FCR job opportunities by subscribing to our Recruitment Newsletter here.

Before today’s vibrant grocery-anchored shopping destination with a variety of notable retailers, Loblaws Plaza in Ottawa had a limited number of retail tenants. Before FCR took ownership, there was one primary reason community members would commute to the intersection of Baseline Road and Merivale Road: to dance. This ritual continues today, thanks to the Greta Leeming Studio of Dance (GLS), a world-renowned institution that has been serving the community for 61 years and counting.

Dance for Tami-Lynn, the current owner of Greta Leeming, is as essential as breathing. Her career began when she was just 4 years old, and given her family’s legacy, she might have always been destined to own her own studio.

Only, Tami-Lynn didn’t anticipate she would run a studio as established as Greta Leeming Studio of Dance.

Her mother was a dance teacher, who opened her own studio called the Bonnie Lynn Armstrong School of Dance, and later her cousin opening the Holtz Studio of Dance, where she did her training. Tami-Lynn began teaching when she was 14 years old and has never stopped.

At the age of 17, Tami-Lynn joined the CFL as a cheerleader for Ottawa Rough Riders and continued working in the dance community with as a teacher and choreographer with local theatre companies. When a friend recommended her to Greta Robinson to take over as a dance teacher at her studio, the rest, for Tami-Lynn, is history.

Dancing Their Way to the Top

Greta Leeming was the place to go for ballet training in the 60s, and through the years to provide premiere dance training in a multitude of disciplines including tap, jazz, hip hop and contemporary dance. Tami-Lynn recalls that Greta was always focused on getting the best talent and staff to provide the highest quality of training to expand in each discipline and often source staff and talent internationally.

Tami-Lynn observed the studio over the years as it modernized and grew under Greta’s ownership and became a pillar of the community, where Tami-Lynn eventually took over in 2011.

She also explains that the majority of the staff that currently work at Greta Leeming in fact were Greta Leeming students, Tami-Lynn claims the staff hold themselves to a high level of excellence “(they) understand the quality of training that is expected from experience, whether you are two years old or an adult, you are going to get quality training”.

Tami-Lynn continued to evolve her dance career while working at Greta Leeming, and she supported Greta as the studio grew, which led to Greta offering her more responsibilities. Tami-Lynn eventually approached her and asked if she could take over the studio, and once Greta was ready to retire, she happily handed over the keys to the kingdom. She worked closely with Greta during this transition to ensure the studio would continue under the same principles.

“I thought about changing the name (of the studio), but there’s prestige behind the name Greta Leeming that benefits our students, dancers from Greta Leeming are recognized internationally for their talent”

Tami-Lynn Caloia, Owner/Director of GLS

The GLS Community & Importance of Mentorship

Dozens and dozens of dancers have moved on from Greta Leeming to professional jobs whether it be opening their own dance studios, to performing on Broadway, TV and movie sets. Some notable movies and shows include The Radio City Rockettes, The Music Man, Jersey Boys, and Hairspray.

Tami-Lynn believes at her core what sets this studio apart from the rest is her dedicated staff, and their expertise for each area of dance “There are no generalists here, only experts that specialize in every lane of dance.” When Tami-Lynn gained ownership there were 18 staff, and she had to immediately carry the dance studio as well as the competitive program, while learning to navigate those relationships and keep the community strong around her.

Tami-Lynn summarizes the studio as providing “… quality instruction, a professional and positive atmosphere, and a place for everyone”. She recognizes that dance class teaches kids many skills other than just dancing, building on their collaboration, time management and discipline.

Tami-Lynn Caloia, Owner/Director of GLS

“Kids need life skills more than anything to learn how to collaborate and build their confidence.” She notes on the mentorship her studio provides for young children, citing that Greta Leeming teaches “…life skills just as much as dance”.

Today, they host approximately 130 dance classes every week, with 500+ dancers registered. Not all these dancers are children, there are over 100 adults registered at her studio and Tami-Lynn has introduced adult intensives and bootcamps for beginners, intermediates, and advanced dancers.

“When people take on dance as adults, they have a new zest for life and expression of self. It’s amazing that we can facilitate and encourage that.”

Tami-Lynn Caloia, Owner/Director of GLS

Dance is a special community outside your everyday life, and Tami-Lynn has witnessed an endless number of life-long friendships and bonds formed at Greta Leeming. If there’s one thing she can’t emphasize enough, it’s that dance can benefit everyone.

“The biggest misconception is when people say they are not good enough to dance at Greta Leeming… we’ve expanded our curriculum so there is something here for everyone.”

Tami-Lynn Caloia, Owner/Director of GLS

Location and Community Is Everything

Tami-Lynn is extremely grateful for everything First Capital has done for the surrounding neighbourhood, bringing some amazing retail tenants and neighbours.

“Since First Capital has come in, we have everything, we have Starbucks, Pet Valu, Nando’s. I worked here for 25 years with nothing… Tim Horton’s being a 20-minute walk was the closest we had, and the Loblaws.”

Tami-Lynn Caloia, Owner/Director of GLS

Tami-Lynn loves the diversity of the tenants and feels that the surrounding stores give her great exposure to potential new customers and vice versa.

What’s next, you might ask? She is looking forward to evolving in the space they are currently in and expanding their classes offerings even further.

“I’d like to work with seniors next, there’s so many things I’d like to do within the perimeters of my current location. I don’t want to run the risk of losing the quality we’ve maintained all this time.”

Tami-Lynn Caloia, Owner/Director of GLS

Since its inception, GLS has helped thousands of young dancers reach their full potential, with many moving on to become company dancers, entertainers, as well as dance education professionals. If you’ve always been curious to take up dancing, this might be your sign to start. For those who live in and around Ottawa, stop by Greta Leeming Studio of Dance located in Loblaws Plaza.

To learn more about the studio, head to their website linked here and follow them on Instagram linked here.