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

A Hudson's Bay department store is shown at Sherway Gardens in Toronto on March 9, 2023. The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette

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.