T&T Supermarket is relocating its long-standing Unionville location to a massive new footprint within the CF Markville mall in Markham, Ontario. The move will see the Asian grocery chain take over the lower level of the former Hudson's Bay, creating a 68,000-square-foot retail powerhouse.
A 68,000-square-foot pivot from Hudson's Bay
The relocation of T&T Supermarket to CF Markville represents a significant shift in the retail landscape of Markham.. By moving into the lower level of the space formerly occupied by Hudson's Bay,the grocery chain is effectively repurposing a massive department store anchor into a specialized food destination. This move follows a broader trend seen across North American shopping centers,where traditional, large-format department stores are being replaced by high-frequency "daily needs" retailers like supermarkets to drive consistent foot traffic.
As reported by the source, Cadillac Fairview, the owner of CF Markville, has already released renderings of the future site. This transition from a generalist department store to a massive 68,000-square-foot Asian grocery market signals a strategic pivot toward catering to the specific demographic and culinary demands of the Markham community.. This new location is set to become the largest Asian grocery market in the city, providing a scale of variety that the previous Unionville site could not match.
Tina Lee’s strategy for T&T’s 18th Ontario store
For T&T Supermarket, this expansion is a calculated move to deepen its roots in a region that has been vital to its success. Tina Lee, the chief executive officer of T&T Supermarket, noted that Markham has been a fundamental part of the company's growth story. The decision to move from the Unionville location, which the company has called a "wonderful home" for the last 14 years, is driven by the need to accommodate an expanding customer base.
The new facility at CF Markville will mark T&T’s 18th location in Ontario. According to the report, Lee believes the larger footprint will not only strengthen the company's market presence but also create more jobs for the local community. By staying within the Markham area near Highway 7, T&T is maintaining its proximity to its core customer base while significantly upgrading the physical shopping experience.
Expanding the Markham footprint with bakery and beauty
The new CF Markville location is designed to be more than just a place to buy produce; it is being positioned as a comprehensive lifestyle destination. Beyond the standard grocery offerings, the 68,000-square-foot space will feature a dedicated in-store bakery and an Asian beauty section. This diversification allows T&T to capture more consumer interest by providing specialized goods in a single trip.
Shoppers can expect the same mix of fresh produce and prepared foods that have defined the T&T brand, but with the added benefit of increased space and specialized departments. This expansion into beauty and prepared foods aligns with the modern grocery trend of lifestyle integration, where supermarkets act as community hubs rather than just utility stops.
The missing timeline for the Unionville transition
While the announcement provides a clear vision for the future of T&T at CF Markville, several logistical details remain unconfirmed. The source does not provide a specific opening date for the new Markham location, nor does it outline a timeline for when the current Unionville store will cease operations. This leaves local shoppers in a state of uncertainty regarding when they can expect to access the new facilities.
Furthermore, the report does not clarify if there will be any overlap in service between the two locations or if the move will be a hard transition. Until Cadillac Fairview or T&T Supermarket releases a formal construction and opening schedule, the exact window for this massive retail migration remains one of the primary unanswered questions for the Markham community.
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