What's in store for Zellers and its grand opening in North York
· Toronto Sun
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When it comes to nostalgia, Zellers is leaning heavily into it.
“This is an iconic brand with so much history, and we need to get it right,” said Joey Benitah, the chief operating officer at Zellers. “We’re taking a phased approach. Listening, learning, and adapting quickly to customer feedback.”
Zellers opened its second store in Canada at 80 Orfus Rd. in the city’s west end on Thursday.
“Following the incredible response we saw in Edmonton, we’re excited to bring Zellers back to Ontario in a meaningful way,” Benitah said.
Zellers opened its first store at the Londonberry Mall in Edmonton last October.
What’s in store
The North York location will feature core department store categories like apparel and accessories, along with home and seasonal offerings.
Customers can also expect to see expanded home and lifestyle sections offering differing brands like Casa Domani, Rachel Roy, Tahari and Chaps.
Zellers will have toys that focus on fun and value. Categories will include plush toys, puzzles, outdoor games, and licensed products from name brands like Adidas, NFL, NHL, Von Dutch and Juicy Couture. Zellers stores will also feature an expanded Disney collection, with a significant presence across both adult and kids’ apparel. Other toys will be released in the coming months.
The COO says the product selection was in response to what the customers wanted to see when perusing the isles of the 25,000-square-foot store.
“Customer feedback has been instrumental in shaping our evolution — from what categories resonate most to how we deliver value and discovery in-store. Sales have been strong, engagement has exceeded expectations, and we’re just getting started,” he said.
Four-day celebration
The company will have a 25-foot inflatable Zeddy Bear outside of the Toronto location during the four-day opening celebrations.
Other experiences include a Zellers Diner on Wheels, a “food truck concept inspired by the beloved Zellers restaurant experience.”
The pop-up food truck will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
On the menu are nostalgia-hinted items like the Big Z Burger, a hot gravy chicken sandwich, chicken fingers and grilled cheese sandwiches.
“As we continue expanding across Canada, we wanted to bring back some of the moments customers remember most fondly while also creating entirely new experiences that feel exciting, immersive, and uniquely Zellers,” Benitah said. “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.”