Zellers is leaning hard into memory for its next Ontario opening.
The retailer will open a new 25,000-square-foot standalone store at 80 Orfus Rd. in Toronto on Thursday, June 18, and the first thing many visitors may notice is a 25-foot inflatable Zeddy Bear outside the building.
The Toronto launch will also introduce the Zellers Diner on Wheels, a food truck inspired by the former Zellers restaurant. It will serve items such as the Big Z Burger, Hot Gravy Chicken Sandwich, chicken fingers, grilled cheese, gravy and fries during opening weekend.
The diner will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 19 and 20, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 21.
Joey Benitah, Chief Operating Officer of Zellers, said the company wanted to bring back the parts of the brand customers remember while creating new store experiences.
Opening weekend will include free Zellers “Ice Pops” and water bottles while supplies last. The first 100 customers will also receive a collectible Zeddy keychain that will not be sold in stores.
Another familiar feature is returning too, kiddie rides. The Toronto store will have a bright red sports car ride, with more planned for select Canadian locations. Zellers says the rides are TSSA-permitted and electrically certified for Ontario public safety standards.
A Windsor store at Tecumseh Mall is planned for July 2026, with the date still to be confirmed. The Ontario openings follow Zellers’ first standalone store at Londonderry Mall in Edmonton, which opened in October 2025.