Shoppers at Scarborough Town Centre will see a new ceiling and more escalators on Nov. 17 when most of a two-year, $62-million renovation is revealed.
Construction crews have been working since the fall of 2008 to raise the roof, add two new escalators, at the Bay court and Sears court, install an elevator at centre court, and make the space brighter and more open, says Kathy Meyers, the centre’s general manager.
“We’re going through a complete re-merchandising, which means new stores leasing,” she said. “We wanted to freshen up the interior of the centre to make a beautiful backdrop for all the new stores that are coming in.”
The new layout is also meant to appeal to the area’s young, modern demographic, she said. The mall has attracted a Pink by Victoria Secret store and the first Hot Topic store in Canada, and there are plans to open Browns, Starbucks, Jack and Jones, and Guess stores in upcoming months.
While traffic at the mall has decreased slightly during the renovation, Meyers said construction work hasn’t affected customers’ shopping habits.
“I think because new stores are opening up, the community knows that going through construction there is short-term pain,” she said. “But the end result they are excited about.”
Scarborough resident Tanvir Taher, who’s been watching the changes take shape, said the facelift should improve the shopping experience.
“From what I notice about the renovations, it’s making the mall more open and spacey and less claustrophobic,” Taher said.
The mall is set for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a grand reopening celebration on Nov. 17, which will also include unveiling the Scarborough Walk of Fame and the winner of the Live It Up contest.