Isn’t it amazing how a shopping mall can become part of a community? That is certainly the story of Les Galeries d’Anjou. This mall is located in the borough of Anjou in Montreal. Les Galeries d’Anjou first opened its doors on August 8, 1968. There were 85 stores at the beginning.
Initially, Simpsons and Eaton’s anchored the mall. Steinberg’s and Dominion supermarkets were also key tenants. Les Galeries d’Anjou was the second largest shopping mall in Canada. Only Yorkdale in Toronto was bigger at that time.
In 1975, an expansion increased the mall’s size. Sixty-five new stores opened in 1976. Sears became another anchor tenant that year. The mall continued to evolve. Simpsons became The Bay in 1989. Dominion rebranded as Provigo in 1981. The Steinberg’s store became a Provigo briefly in 1992. It then turned into a Maxi supermarket.
A major renovation occurred in 1993. Les Galeries d’Anjou added 30 new retail stores. A new food court was added, too. Interior upgrades rejuvenated the mall. Cambridge Shopping Centres absorbed Markborough in 1997. This included Markborough’s ownership in Les Galeries d’Anjou. Cambridge merged with Ivanhoe Corporation in 2001. This formed Ivanhoé Cambridge.
Eaton’s closed in 1999. A Zellers store opened in its place in 2000. The Brick took over the second floor in 2004. In 2013, Les Galeries d’Anjou added a new section. Simons and 15 other retailers joined the mall. The food court was relocated. Target opened in the former Zellers location in 2013.
Target closed its Canadian stores in 2015. Winners, Saks Off 5th and Old Navy opened in 2017. Aubainerie opened at the former Sears in 2022. Ivanhoé Cambridge became the sole owner of Les Galeries d’Anjou in 2021.
Today, Les Galeries d’Anjou has over 160 stores and services. It has six anchor tenants. The total retail floor area is 1.114 million square feet. There are 6,000 parking spaces available. Public transit provides easy access to Les Galeries d’Anjou. Several STM bus routes serve the mall.
Anjou metro station will be near the mall. It will connect underground via a pedestrian tunnel. The station is projected to open in 2029. Les Galeries d’Anjou has become more than just a mall. It is a vital part of the Montreal community. With its diverse stores and convenient location, it welcomes eight million visitors every year.