The Promenade Shopping Centre in Thornhill, just north of Toronto, is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Once facing the pressures many enclosed malls across Canada are experiencing, Promenade has seen a substantial reversal of fortune under new direction, tenant investment, and a strategic shift toward mixed-use and experiential retail.
“Just over a year ago, there were a lot of closures. The centre was in a very different place,” said Darren Woodworth, General Manager of Promenade Limited Partnership. “Now it’s a completely different story. There’s momentum, excitement—and we’re not slowing down.”
From new tenants and entertainment attractions to educational institutions and updated infrastructure, the 535,000-square-foot shopping centre is redefining itself as a community hub that extends far beyond traditional retail.
One of the most talked-about additions to the centre is Bowls & Blasters, a 25,000- square-foot indoor entertainment complex that opened in mid-May.
“It’s not just a bowling alley,” explained Woodworth. “It’s bowling, bumper cars, laser tag, a massive arcade, birthday party rooms, and a high-end lounge area with food and drinks—all under one roof.”
According to Woodworth, the opening was a major success. “People were lining up by 2 p.m. on opening day. And since then, they’ve broken records—particularly on their vending machines, which is how they track early traffic. They’ve booked a ton of birthday parties and were packed during Ribfest.”
The addition of such a vibrant entertainment concept is already paying dividends. “It’s driving traffic, especially to the upper level, which had historically been quieter,” Woodworth said.
The past few months have also seen the arrival of multiple new tenants. Pur & Simple, a popular breakfast and brunch concept, opened next to LifeLabs, which recently launched its medical testing facility in the centre.
“We were just in LifeLabs, and people were coming in for appointments and then heading over to Pur & Simple for breakfast,” said Woodworth. “There’s real synergy between the tenants now.”
Other food-focused additions include Fat Bastard Burrito, Pizzaiolo, Bagel Stop, and Eat Some More, a new restaurant featuring African-style cuisine. “It’s all about variety,” added Jamie DeRose Dragozet, who supports marketing efforts for the centre. “We’re building a retail mix that reflects our diverse community.”
Construction is underway for GoodLife Fitness, which will span two levels and is expected to open by the end of the year—strategically timed for New Year’s resolutions. Another addition currently under construction is Pickleplex, an indoor pickleball facility that aims to open by late summer.
“We’ve completed demolition on both. The GoodLife opening is targeted for December, and Pickleplex should be open around August,” said Woodworth. “Permits delayed things a bit, but both are now moving forward quickly.”
The vision for Promenade has clearly expanded beyond retail. In September 2025, the Canadian National Institute of Health (CNIH) will open a campus at the centre focused on dental hygiene, dental assisting, and ultrasound technology.
“They’re expecting about 400 students, and it’ll be located on the upper level at the far end of the mall,” said Woodworth. “It’s another big driver of daily foot traffic and adds to the overall ecosystem we’re building here.”
This evolution has not gone unnoticed. “We keep hearing people refer to the Promenade as a community centre,” said Dragozet. “With education, healthcare, dining, and entertainment all here, it really is becoming that kind of destination.”
From Groceries to Condos
Another standout tenant is Olive Branch Kosher Supermarket, the first and only kosher grocery store of its kind in Canada.
“They’re doing incredibly well and are even looking at expanding the store,” said Woodworth. “They’re a unique anchor that brings in a very loyal and specific customer base with Kosher groceries and a mix of other items for everyone.”
The successful opening of two residential towers—30 and 35 storeys with more than 780 units—has also changed the landscape. The towers offer direct internal access to the mall.
“We just opened the internal connection from the condos to the mall,” Woodworth added. “Residents can literally walk downstairs in their slippers and shop. It’s been extremely well received.”
A key part of the strategy has been to bring people into the mall through events. Promenade has hosted everything from Persian New Year celebrations to Ribfest, Hanukkah events, and even the Royal Canadian Circus.
“Our traffic numbers for Ribfest this year were up over 10,000 people compared to last year,” said Woodworth.
“That’s exactly the kind of engagement we want to foster—events that bring people in and help them discover what’s new.”
Dragozet echoed the importance of community connection: “Some visitors have told us they’ve been coming here for 40 years. Now they’re seeing a real transformation and feeling proud to call Promenade their mall again.”
Despite the buzz and renewed activity, management is taking a measured approach to leasing.
“We’re seeing more inquiries than ever,” said Woodworth. “But we’re being very strategic about who we let in. We want to leave room for national retailers and ensure long-term sustainability.”
There is currently some availability in the mall due to tenant shuffling and new configurations, but Woodworth confirmed that the team is focused on creating the right retail mix to complement the broader transformation.
With Promenade’s 40th anniversary approaching in 2026, plans are already underway to commemorate the milestone.
“We’re planning to do a full front-facade refacing and may modify the entrance to accommodate one large restaurant or two smaller ones,” revealed Woodworth. “There’s significant investment being put back into the building.”
The long-term vision includes continued interior upgrades, new co-tenants, and additional phases of residential and commercial intensification.
The surrounding retail plaza, also owned by the same group, will see further residential intensification with new units coming in the near future.
Reflecting on his first year at the Promenade, Woodworth sees an evolution few properties experience in such a short period.
“I’ve never worked at a centre that has had this much activity all at once,” he said. “A year ago, the outlook was uncertain. Now we’re full of life, full of promise. I can’t wait to see where we’ll be in another year.”
Dragozet agreed. “We’re hearing it from everyone—from shoppers to tenants to people who’ve lived here their whole lives. There’s energy again. And that’s something special.”
Promenade Limited Partnership is owned in partnership by Serruya Private Equity and a Liberty Development managed corporation. The Property is managed by Cushman and Wakefield Asset Services.
As Promenade Shopping Centre continues its bold redevelopment, it is emerging not just as a retail success story, but as a template for how malls across the country can reinvent themselves for the future—through diversity, density, and deep community engagement.
More from Retail Insider:
