New Walmart just opened in Ontario

After months of renovation and preparation, Walmart has started welcoming customers into its newest Ontario location.

As of 7 a.m. today (Oct. 9), the 100,000 sq-ft store opened its doors at Third Line and Rebecca Street in Oakville in what was once known as Hopedale Mall but now operates under the name of South Oakville Centre.

It is the second supercentre in Oakville, the first opened 20 years ago on Hays Boulevard in the Trafalgar Road and Dundas Street area.

And like all superstores, the new location will feature a wide array of merchandise, including clothes, furniture, appliances and general household goods. There will also be a pharmacy on-site. A large grocery department will also be part of the store which will be stocked with fresh produce, meat, frozen foods, dairy, baked goods and other food items. Hot meals will also be available.

Many stores have come and gone at the mall, including Kmart and Zellers; now it’s Walmart’s turn.

Target was the last department store to give the location a try, but when that company pulled up stakes after a short two-year stint in 2015, it left a huge vacancy at the mall.

Hopedale opened in 1959 as an outdoor plaza, making it one of the first of its kind in the town. By 1971, it undertook a major revamp, turning it into a covered mall that served the west side of the town.

While mainstays like Metro, the LCBO, and Gino’s Pizza still attract customers, many are banking that Walmart’s proven track record can draw in the crowds.