Zellers, the Canadian retail brand known for its department store format and revived nostalgic experiences, is planning additional standalone locations across Ontario as it expands its return to brick-and-mortar retail.
The company is preparing new Ontario stores in Windsor at Tecumseh Mall in July 2026, with additional locations being explored in Brampton and Scarborough, according to Retail Insider and The Canadian Press. The expansion follows the upcoming Toronto store at 80 Orfus Road, which opens June 18 as a 25,000-square-foot standalone format. Alongside retail merchandise, the Ontario rollout will continue to feature a food component centered on the “Zellers Diner on Wheels,” a traveling food truck concept tied to store openings.
The diner element is a modern version of Zellers’ former in-store restaurants, which were once a familiar part of its department store footprint. While permanent sit-down diners are not returning, the mobile format is being used at openings across Canada, starting with Toronto. The company says the concept is intended to bring back recognizable menu items while offering a flexible setup that can be adapted to each new store launch.
Menu items featured through the diner concept include the Big Z Burger, Hot Gravy Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Fingers, Grilled Cheese, and Gravy & Fries. The food truck will appear at opening events and select store activations, making it a recurring feature of the brand’s expansion strategy rather than a fixed restaurant inside each location.
Beyond the diner, food-related engagement is also part of the customer experience strategy. Opening events have included complimentary items such as ice pops and bottled water, as well as collectible giveaways featuring the Zeddy mascot. These elements are part of the brand’s effort to reintroduce familiar in-store experiences that previously defined its Canadian locations.
The Ontario expansion includes Windsor as a confirmed future store, with Brampton and Scarborough also under consideration as part of broader growth across major markets. The company is evaluating additional redevelopment opportunities, including former Hudson’s Bay sites, which could support further retail and food integration under the standalone format.
As Zellers continues its rollout, the food component is expected to remain a consistent feature of its Ontario strategy. The mobile diner concept and nostalgic menu items are being used to differentiate the brand’s return while supporting its broader national expansion plans.
