Vacant Bay Stores Could Spark Interest—If Landlords Are Willing to Get Creative

Apartments, health centres and even pickleball courts may be coming to your local mall after Hudson’s Bay departs.
Retail and real estate experts say the closure of most of the 355-year-old company’s department stores offers a chance to reimagine the country’s most sought-after and high-traffic spaces in malls.
“I think it’s a massive opportunity for landlords to reinvent,” said Kate Camenzuli, vice-president of retail at commercial real estate company CBRE.
“It may take a bit of time, but I think it’s a huge positive because this is the last large-format piece of space that will be and is available in the Canadian marketplace.”…