Zellers has opened its second store in Canada at 80 Orfus Rd. in North York, marking a significant return to Ontario. The company is celebrating with a four-day grand opening event that includes a 25-foot inflatable Zeddy Bear, a retro food truck, and expanded product offerings.
Nostalgia-Driven Expansion
Joey Benitah, chief operating officer at Zellers, emphasized the brand's nostalgic appeal. "This is an iconic brand with so much history, and we need to get it right," he said. "We're taking a phased approach. Listening, learning, and adapting quickly to customer feedback." The first store opened at Londonderry Mall in Edmonton last October, and the positive response prompted the expansion to Ontario.
Product Offerings
The North York location features core department store categories such as apparel, accessories, home goods, and seasonal items. Expanded home and lifestyle sections include brands like Casa Domani, Rachel Roy, Tahari, and Chaps. The toy department focuses on fun and value, offering plush toys, puzzles, outdoor games, and licensed products from Adidas, NFL, NHL, Von Dutch, and Juicy Couture. A significant Disney collection is available across adult and kids' apparel.
Benitah noted that customer feedback shaped the product selection. "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 Grand Opening Celebration
The celebration includes a 25-foot inflatable Zeddy Bear outside the store and a Zellers Diner on Wheels food truck, inspired by the beloved Zellers restaurant experience. The food truck operates 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. Menu items include the Big Z Burger, 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. "Ontario is a major step forward, but this is only the beginning."
