The Date is Set: Quebec Fashion Giant Simons To Open Massive Yorkdale Flagship August 14

Simons opens its first Toronto location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on August 14, spanning 118,000 sq ft across two floors. The Quebec retailer's $75M Toronto expansion includes a second Eaton Centre store later in 2025.

Simons will open its first Toronto location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on August 14, 2025, at 10 a.m. The Quebec-based fashion retailer is taking 118,000 square feet across two floors at the North York shopping centre, marking the company’s entry into Toronto’s competitive retail market after more than a year of construction and preparation.

The massive Yorkdale space features architecture by Lemay-Michaud Architecture with interior design by Toronto-based Gensler Design, incorporating natural elements and what the company describes as “the sun serving as a beacon of light.” This represents part of Simons’ broader $75 million investment announced in June 2024 to open two Toronto locations, with the second store planned for CF Toronto Eaton Centre later this year. The Yorkdale store will showcase Simons’ exclusive labels including Contemporaine, Twik, and Djab alongside international designers and local Canadian brands, plus home furnishings across bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen categories. The 185-year-old family business currently operates 17 stores across Canada, generating annual sales of more than $650 million.

Bernard Leblanc

“At Simons, serving our customers is our greatest privilege,” says Bernard Leblanc, President and CEO of Simons. “On August 14, we’re proud to open our doors at Yorkdale Shopping Centre and invite Torontonians to discover the distinctive blend of fashion, art, and design that defines Simons. Our history and success have always been rooted in exceptional service — a commitment to our customers, our employees, and our partners — and we can’t wait to share it with Toronto firsthand.”

This opening significantly strengthens Yorkdale’s fashion anchor lineup and addresses a gap in accessible luxury retail for North York shoppers. The addition of a major Canadian fashion retailer reinforces Yorkdale’s position as Toronto’s premier upscale shopping destination, complementing existing anchors while bringing a distinctly Canadian retail experience to the centre’s two million annual visitors. For the broader North York retail corridor, Simons’ arrival validates the area’s purchasing power and signals continued confidence in physical retail investment despite broader market challenges.

Second Toronto Location Coming to Eaton Centre

Future Simons at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

Simons’ Toronto expansion continues with a second location planned for CF Toronto Eaton Centre later in 2025. The downtown store will occupy 110,000 square feet across three levels at street level, featuring the same mix of exclusive Simons labels, international designers, and local Canadian brands as the Yorkdale location. The Eaton Centre store represents the second phase of Simons’ $75 million Toronto investment and will bring the retailer’s distinctive art-focused retail concept to the heart of downtown’s shopping district. With both locations, Simons expects to generate approximately 400 new employment opportunities across the Greater Toronto Area while increasing the company’s overall annual sales by 15 percent.

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