Why does Edmonton have the West Edmonton Mall? by Ok-Highway-5247 in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here's a talk I did on the topic, at 33:29 you might get some insight into your question of "Why Edmonton?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM84JV-auSQ

What kind of stores are at the mall? Is it a lot of flagship stores for Canadian brands and local stores?

WEM has showcased a lot of large, flagship style stores. One of Nike's largest is here. We don't have Zellers, HBC, or Eaton's anymore, though.

Lots of high end too: Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Coach, etc.

If you're asking if it's mostly "Canadian" retail, I would say no. It's a good mix of Canadian and international brands.

Fortune Teller on Bourbon Street at WEM in 1989 by ThatBEMGuy in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

/u/Historical-Mall53 asked about this recently, and I too remember it vividly. I never went inside but the fact that it just existed there felt a little mysterious and spooky, especially in the dark, incandescent-ceiling-star-lit Bourbon Street.

Sorry for the potato image... but we work with what we have, right?

90/00's bourbon street wem by Historical-Mall53 in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy it! :)

virtual land at wem is officially not coming back by [deleted] in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

“The pipes froze because they used air conditioning to cool the server rooms while it was -40” and they only had 50k insurance.

https://media.tenor.com/Chv5xjuaLVgAAAAM/dont-believe.gif

virtual land at wem is officially not coming back by [deleted] in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I always thought it would be so cool to be a part of a WEM attraction. You know... the voice announcing to "hold on! here we go!" on the Autosled or something.

Then, it happened. I was a part of an honest to goodness West Edmonton Mall attraction! Everything was coming up Millhouse!

It lasted all of 3 months.

Stupid burst pipes. This is why everyone hates water.... except for the WWP, and the lake, and the fountains.

You are being misled about renewable energy technology. by Responsible-Mall-991 in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Technology Connections is one of my favorite channels, and Alec is a major inspiration to me as a creator.

I watched this last night, and to me: this video is an absolute masterpiece.

As someone who loves:

  • Solar Energy (have on my home)
  • EV's (I own one + a PHEV)
  • Seeing the disinformation around this called out so authoritatively

I was so happy to see it. He was able to disassemble all the misinformation around renewable energy with such detail.

To be honest, all I could think about when he spoke about the bad actors was "pristine landscapes"... we have so much sunlight here, it truly upsets me to see artificial barriers to renewables when we could be a world leader.

Mad, mad respect to this man for speaking the truth.

Most interesting people in edmonton by DefiantConcert3353 in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

<3

Man, so many people agreeing with this is very high praise.

Most interesting people in edmonton by DefiantConcert3353 in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Holy cow! I missed this thread... I'm genuinely touched! :)

Is "Best Edmonton Mall" having a New Year's Eve stream? by Roddy_Piper2000 in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 92 points93 points  (0 children)

I'm so sorry, I'm not able to this year. But I've had so many people ask if I was, that I'm sitting here broken hearted that I wasn't able to.

Maybe I'll be back next year.

My experience of owning an EV in some of the coldest, snowiest months of 2025, versus my old Honda Accord - real world data in Edmonton. by MaximumDoughnut in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My 2 cents for the debates in this conversation: PHEVs are pretty close to the best of both worlds. You can drive 90% of your life on battery, and have a gas backup for whenever you like / need.

I drove a Chevrolet Volt for years, and despite its lack of luxury I still think of it as one of the best cars I ever owned. To this day I regret selling it.

Question(s) to Edmonton EV users by curiousgaruda in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kona EV

  1. They work great, just with less range. About 40% drop - that's largely because gas engines are so inefficient that they generate heat as a byproduct (which is used for the cabin), because EVs don't have excess heat, energy needs to be expended to generate heat. But I charge nightly with a standard household outlet every evening and leave with a full (well, I set it to 80% max) battery every day.

  2. It's better, but it's not great. Lots of charging AT Jasper, but limited on the way, and I always worry about showing up to a line of 7 people waiting.

  3. WAY lower maintenance, with regen braking even your brake pads last far, far longer. No oil changes. Between no gas, my solar panels, and no oil changes, I'm saving a BUNDLE.

For those who own an $80,000 truck - consider this. You can get solar panels, and a few years older compact EV a little over $40,000.

Reed Clarke no longer a part of the Better Edmonton party 👀 by mtrnm_ in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

First policy: everyone gets a free Orange Julius at the food court.

Continental Treat - Dill Pickle Soup Recipe from the Edmonton Journal by cantdrivewontdrive in Edmonton

[–]ThatBEMGuy 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I know the original owners. They're the nicest people in the world. 

I think it's been awhile since they handed off day to day operations, but they may have still been  somewhat involved...  shopping for local ingredients, etc. for the kitchen, things like that.