Toronto 
Zellers is putting Ontario back on its map, starting with two stores that show how the retailer is trying to turn nostalgia into a modern shopping format.
Credit: Zellers
The company says its first Ontario location will open Thursday, June 18, at 80 Orfus Rd. in Toronto’s North York area. The standalone store is now under construction and will cover 25,000 square feet.
A second store is planned for Tecumseh Mall in Windsor, with an opening expected in July. The exact date has not yet been announced.
The move follows Zellers’ October 2025 opening at Londonderry Mall in Edmonton, which the company says brought strong traffic, customer interest and sales across key categories. Joey Benitah, Zellers’ chief operating officer, said feedback from shoppers has helped shape the next phase, including which products get more space and how the stores are built around value and discovery.
In Windsor, the return carries a more familiar emotional pull. Tecumseh Mall once had a Zellers, and Katarina Taylor, general manager of Europro’s Windsor properties, called the reopening a meaningful moment for the mall and the community.
The Ontario stores will carry apparel, accessories, home goods and seasonal products, but Zellers is also adding several categories based on demand. Home décor will expand with Casa Domani, Maxwell & Williams, Rachel Roy, Tahari and Chaps. Toys will include plush items, puzzles, outdoor games and licensed products. Seasonal aisles will add summer goods, party supplies, stationery, luggage and Halloween costumes in the fall.
Food is also getting more attention, with snacks, drinks, specialty treats and Italian grocery items from Gigi. Adidas has joined the apparel mix, while NFL, NHL, Dickies, Von Dutch, Juicy Couture and expanded Disney products are expected shortly after the Ontario openings.
And yes, Zeddy is coming back. Zellers says plush Zeddy bears will return this summer, alongside plans for a national partnership with pediatric oncology camps.
Zellers 3.0 is being built around smaller stores, roughly 20,000 to 50,000 square feet, with rotating assortments and a mix of new products and familiar cues.
