Quebec-based fashion retailer Simons is preparing to move further into Toronto’s core in 2025 with two new locations. Opening in the Eaton Centre and Yorkdale Mall, the department store will be taking over part of the empty spaces formerly occupied by Nordstrom.

The downtown Toronto location will be a 110,000-square-foot Yonge Street street-level space across three levels in the mall, including a small portion of the 63,800-square-foot former Nordstrom store on the second floor. The rest of the space will be shared by a Nike flagship store and Italian grocery marketplace Eataly, according to press release from Cadillac Fairview.

The new Simons store in Yorkdale will span 118,000 square feet, occupying the first two levels of the former Nordstrom store there.

The expansion into the two Toronto shopping centres marks the department store’s 18th and 19th brick-and-mortar locations in Canada. Both locations will offer the full range of Simons merchandise, including some home furnishings offerings. The layout will follow the usual Simons design, with collections for men, women and home collection organized in separate, “boutique-style” zones.

Founded in 1840 by John Simons in Quebec City, the former dry goods store has firmly established itself as one of the country’s top, homegrown purveyors of fashion. The store currently offers Canadians contemporary womenswear and menswear from trendy names like Carhartt and Ganni to couture and avant-garde labels such as Acne Studios, Saint Laurent, and Issey Miyake.

With the recent exit of Nordstrom from Canada, it’s clear Simons sees an opportunity for major expansion into the country’s lacking department store retail scene.

“We believe in the vitality and competitiveness of the Canadian retail landscape and are excited about the future here and about growing here,” said Bernard Leblanc, president and CEO of Simons.

Simons believes their two stores, set to open in late 2025, are complimentary of both the Torontonian and Canadian shopping experience. In conjunction with Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, Simons will be creating a triangular hotspot for customers to ensure their shopping needs are met.

“Despite current economic challenges in the retail landscape our sales growth in Mississauga has steadily increased since opening and is up by more than three percent over the last fiscal year,” said Leblanc. “This demonstrates our understanding of our GTA clients’ preferences and signaled to us that now is the time to offer Torontonians the distinctive art, design, and fashion experience that only Simons can deliver.”

The brand is expected to invest more than $75 million into the two operations, creating an estimated 400 new employment opportunities for Torontonians. Both stores are expected to increase the brand’s overall sales figure to over $65 million, a 15 per cent increase from last year.