Welcome back Zellers: Cambridge location opens amid wave of nostalgia
The resurrection of Zellers is officially underway with the Cambridge location opening its doors to eager shoppers who lined up ahead of the store's official reopening.
Zellers said its first 12 stores opened on Thursday, including nine in Ontario.
The outlets are located within Hudson's Bay department stores and feature an assortment of private-label products, including clothing, toys, and home items.
MORE: Here are the locations of the first 12 new Zellers stores
The company has also launched a new Zellers e-commerce website, with all items online and in-store featuring so-called rounded pricing, so for example $5 rather than $4.99 or $5.49.
Most of the original Zellers stores were shut down a decade ago but there’s been a wave of nostalgia for the brand amid rising inflation and demand for affordable goods.
GRAND OPENING
Upwards of 50 people could be seen lining up inside the Cambridge Centre Thursday morning for the grand opening.
“This is so fantastic,” shopper Mike Ashkewe told CTV News. “I never would have expected Zellers to come back.”
The merchandise was bringing back memories for many customers who were eager to experience it again.
“25 years ago my mom bought clothes for me [here] when I was a baby,” said Bristi Deb. “She is obsessed with Zellers. At the first sight of the store opening I had to come in, and today I am buying things for my son.”
A DJ played music for the crowd as they waited for the doors to open at 10 a.m.
Most were impressed with what they saw inside.
“I love what they have done, this is fantastic,” said Kenlyn Hughson, who came from Flamborough. “I will be here so much.”
Her first purchase was a $16 serving tray.
Hughson was so excited for the return of Zellers she even started a fan page on Instagram.
Billy Geroux brought his kids on their first Zellers shopping trip.
“Some prices are a bit pricey, some ain’t bad. But can’t really complain, right?”
The Cambridge store also had a few modern twists, including selfie stations, Zellers-branded clothing and lots of pictures of Zeddy the Teddy.
Roy Bright brought his own piece of memorabilia.
“This is an original Zellers bag that we had from Waterloo, Conestoga Mall,” he told CTV News. “It must be at least 25 years old. I found it in a drawer. I got so excited and I told myself I have to take this to Cambridge on Thursday.”
Roy Bridge, of Waterloo, ON, brought his 25-year-old reusable Zellers bag to the store's grand reopening at the Cambridge Centre on March 23, 2023. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News Kitchener)
One thing Roy missed, though, was the iconic diner.
While it was not present at the opening, a Zellers Diner on Wheels will be rolling into Cambridge on Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
developing A bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.