Canadian retailer Zellers is expanding into Ontario with two new stores as it “accelerates its national comeback” following its Alberta debut in October.
Its initial Ontario rollout includes the June 18 opening of the Toronto location at 80 Orfus Rd. in North York, followed by another store inside Tecumseh Mall in Windsor, Ont., in July.
The retailer said the new openings build on last year’s comeback success and signal continued momentum in Zellers’ national expansion strategy.
“Following the incredible response we saw in Edmonton, we’re excited to bring Zellers back to Ontario in a meaningful way,” its chief operating officer, Joey Benitah, said in a press release.
Zellers said the brand’s first store opening at Londonderry Mall in Edmonton in October exceeded expectations and reinforced demand for its return. The Edmonton store opening marked a major milestone in the brand’s return, drawing strong foot traffic, enthusiastic customer response and sustained sales performance across key categories, it said.
The retailer said insights from that launch directly informed the merchandising strategy and in-store experience for upcoming locations, “expanding assortments to reflect what Canadians want today.”
One of Canada’s most iconic retail brands, Zellers was founded in 1928 as a discount store chain. The brand’s return in 2025, which it calls Zellers 3.0, reimagined it as a small-format department store. Quebec-based retailer Les Ailes de la Mode Inc. acquired the Zellers trademarks from Hudson’s Bay Company Inc. in August 2025, following HBC’s dissolution last year.
The Toronto location is currently under construction and will be a 25,000-square-foot standalone store. The new Windsor location in Tecumseh Mall is also well underway, and something of a homecoming for Zellers, which previously occupied space in the mall.
“We are excited and nostalgic to welcome the Zellers brand back to Tecumseh Mall, marking a great new chapter for both our property and the greater Windsor community,” said Katarina Taylor, general manager of Europro’s Windsor Properties, owners of mall. “Our shoppers have always remembered the brand fondly, so this reopening is a genuinely meaningful moment for everyone involved.”
Taylor said the mall is ready to introduce the updated retail offering to its customers, supporting Zellers’ mission of providing Canadians with a homegrown, value-driven shopping experience.
Zellers said that for each new store opening, it will introduce a series of nostalgic in-store moments and surprises designed to celebrate the brand’s legacy.
It said the new Ontario stores will build on Zellers’ core categories, including apparel, accessories, home and seasonal, while introducing several new offerings in response to customer demand.
These include an expansion into home and lifestyle, which has emerged as a standout category, with the introduction of Casa Domani tabletop collections, alongside new home linen brands, including Rachel Roy, Tahari and Chaps across towels, bedding and pillows.
It will also introduce a curated toy assortment in response to customer demand, with categories expected to include plush toys, puzzles, outdoor games and licensed products from recognizable brands, with additional toy brands expected to be introduced in the coming months.
Zellers will also introduce select snack, beverage and specialty food offerings, including flavoured popcorn, candies and sweet treats, international chips, “better-for-you” snacks and an assortment of grab-and-go drinks. It will also introduce a curated assortment of Italian grocery items from Gigi, as part of a broader focus to expand food, snack and confectionery offerings over time.
Its mascot Zeddy will also make a comeback, with the first phase of the return of one of Zellers’ most recognizable icons expected to launch soon, introducing the character to a new generation of families.
“Zeddy remains an important part of the Zellers story, and the brand is excited to bring the beloved character back this summer with the return of Zeddy plush toy bears in stores,” it said.
It added that as part of Zeddy’s return, the brand is developing a national partnership with pediatric oncology camps to support summer retreats for children and families affected by childhood cancer.
Zellers said it is in active discussions with multiple landlords across the country and expects to announce additional locations in Ontario and beyond over the coming year, as it continues its phased national rollout.
“This is more than expansion — it’s validation that Canadians are ready for Zellers again,” said COO Benitah. “We’re listening closely, adapting quickly, and building something that feels both nostalgic and new. Ontario is a major step forward, but this is only the beginning.”