Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
MajorsJun 20, 2018
A Canadian Mall Is Literally Becoming a Circus
Cirque du Soleil is opening what it is billing as a “family entertainment center” in a Toronto-area mall this fall.
A shot of the slack wire act in “Ovo,” Cirque du Soleil’s touring show. The Canadian performance troupe is partnering with a Montreal-based real estate firm to open family entertainment centers inside malls.
Montreal--Step right up and see the latest effort to lure shoppers to the mall.
Cirque du Soleil, the performance troupe behind shows such as “O” and “The Beatles Love,” announced last week that it is expanding into malls with what it is billing as “family entertainment centers,” spaces where members of the public can participate in Cirque du Soleil-inspired activities like bungee jumping, trampolines, juggling and mask design.
Called “Creactive”—a mashup of the words creation, creative, create and active—the centers are based on what Cirque du Soleil already has at the Club Med resorts in the Dominican Republic and Opio, France, but are geared toward families and open year-round.
The centers will occupy spaces that are approximately 24,000 square feet.
The first mall-based Creactive space is set to open in September at a not-yet-disclosed Toronto-area shopping center owned by global real estate firm Ivanhoé Cambridge.
Ivanhoé owns shopping centers in Canada, Brazil, China and Germany, including the Outlet Collection at Niagara, the Montreal Eaton Center, the Wilmersdorfer Arcaden in Berlin, and the Downtown development in Rio de Janeiro. It is a subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, the Canadian investment firm that also has a minority stake in Cirque du Soleil.
Although Ivanhoé does not own any shopping centers in the United States, a Cirque du Soleil spokeswoman said Tuesday that the entertainment troupe is in discussions with other partners about opening family entertainment centers in international markets, like the U.S.
She said the company hopes to confirm these partnerships soon.
The entrance of a Cirque du Soleil experience into the mall space is the latest in a series of efforts to pump life into malls by expanding beyond just shopping—which has become increasingly easy to do online—to offer food, entertainment and fitness options.
In a press release announcing Creactive, Claude Sirois, president of retail at Ivanhoe Cambridge, acknowledged as much, stating: “Creactive is perfectly aligned with our vision for our future of retail: to join forces with the right partners to offer innovative experiences … This collaboration is a terrific illustration of our efforts to transform the retail experience for our discerning guests.”
More on Majors
The Latest
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter PresidentThe announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
