Three new tenants to replace former Bay at Georgian Mall

From one department store to three new retailers.

RioCan has unveiled plans to redevelop the former Hudson’s Bay store at Georgian Mall, replacing the roughly 90,700-square-foot space with Longo’s, Mark’s and GYMVMT by GoodLife Fitness.

Rather than seeking another single department store to fill the vacant anchor space, RioCan opted to divide it among retailers offering grocery, apparel and fitness services.

Moshe Batalion, vice-president of national leasing at RioCan, said it was the expected future habits of Barrie residents that drove the redevelopment.

“A key focus for RioCan was ensuring the space best meets the long-term needs of the Barrie community,” he said.

“As Barrie continues to grow, RioCan is committed to ensuring that Georgian Mall reflects the needs of the community. The addition of Longo’s, GYMVMT by GoodLife Fitness and Mark’s delivers on this, bringing sought-after services and everyday essentials to local residents while providing greater convenience and choice.”

Batalion said Barrie’s rapid population growth played a significant role in shaping the redevelopment.

“RioCan is consistently keeping a pulse on Canadian communities to understand growth patterns and evolving needs,” he said.

“Barrie continues to demonstrate strong growth and presents a compelling opportunity for both retailers and residents.”

RioCan declined to say how long it took to secure the new tenants, but Batalion said the company relied on longstanding relationships with major Canadian companies.

“Our strong relationships with Canada’s leading retailers position us to proactively identify and advance opportunities when space becomes available,” he said.

Batalion said RioCan considered a variety of concepts before deciding to prioritize necessity-based retail.

“The addition of Longo’s, GYMVMT by GoodLife Fitness and Mark’s reflects a deliberate mix of grocery, fitness and apparel that complements and strengthens the existing tenant mix while enhancing convenience and choice for Barrie residents,” he said.

“Both Longo’s and GYMVMT are new-to-market brands in Barrie, underscoring RioCan’s strong track record of attracting leading retailers and introducing first-to-market concepts that align with community needs.”

He added the redevelopment also reflects RioCan’s confidence in the long-term future of Georgian Mall.

“The redevelopment represents an important evolution of the property and reflects RioCan’s commitment to ensuring Georgian Mall continues to meet the needs of the Barrie community,” he said.

The three retailers are expected to open in mid-to late 2027.