The former Sears store at Stone Road Mall will be torn down to make way for brand new retail space and three large retailers, says mall management.
In an email, Stone Road Mall general manager Kevin Knight said he could not confirm which tenants would be taking on the new retail space at this time, but an accompanying press release said the new wing will accommodate three large national retailers.
"To the Guelph community this is more than just a face lift. This is the beginning of new opportunities for Guelph’s largest enclosed shopping center," said the press release.
In total, 90,000 sq. ft. of new construction will be added. The new wing will feature LED lighting and an additional set of public washrooms.
The parking lot will feature three pad sites, or freestanding buildings, to offer brands and services not previously offered at the Stone Road Mall, the release said.
No completion date can be confirmed at this time, but the release states new tenants will begin opening in late 2019 or early 2020.
Sears closed its Guelph location on Jan. 8, 2018. It was one of almost 200 stores shuttered across the country as Sears Canada liquidated its assets and laid off about 2,900 employees.
The Sears space at the Stone Road Mall was part of the building's original development and had been relatively unchanged in 45 years.
