Station Mall owners in the Sault quiet about their future plans
The owners of Station Mall in Sault Ste. Marie are keeping tight-lipped about their plans for the former Sears store.
Construction crews have been working inside the space, which has been vacant since 2017. And now the parking lot in front of the structure is blocked off and a message posted on the Station Mall Facebook page said "something exciting" was happening on the site.
Beyond that, mall owners Cushman & Wakefield have shared no details about their plans. However, the Station Mall Merchants Association is optimistic about the long-term viability of the mall.
"Yes, they are developing it (and) we are going to see some new stores coming into play," said association president Melissa Whalen.
"It's really a fun and exciting time for Station Mall and I'm very proud to be a merchant in the mall right now."
Savoy's Jewellers has been a tenant of the mall for more than 40 years. Co-owner Nicholas Rosset said he's also optimistic about the future.
"We consider it a partnership, our business with the mall owners, and we're willing to invest and push our business forward, just like they're doing," Rosset said.
"It's reciprocal and we appreciate that. So, when we see big things happening, that keeps us moving forward, as well."
Rosset said the mall has seen its ups and downs over the years, but he's encouraged by the number of customers the mall is seeing and by the recent upgrades and renovations by mall management.
"We've got a new floor recently, new food court and now there's renovations going on in one of the previous big box locations," said Rosset.
"So we're excited to see what they come up with keep things moving forward."
Meantime, Whalen said this is a banner year for Station Mall.
"We're actually turning 50 this year, so we are going to be having some celebrations for our 50th anniversary," she said.
"With that is going to be coming some new development, new stores are going to be joining us, and opening up, hopefully, in the fall."
The Merchants Association is of the impression that the former Sears property will be divided up among several retailers and they say an announcement about the site could be coming within the next couple of weeks.
Mall management turned down a request for comment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Six Canadian children repatriated from detention in Syria, Global Affairs Canada says
The Global Affairs Department says six Canadian children have been repatriated from detention in northeastern Syria.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.