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- May 25 - Mayfair owner trying to create new retail empire
May 25 - Mayfair owner trying to create new retail empire
Weekly roundup. Dallas Beach fire. June events preview. Major crash.
Capital Daily Team
May 25, 2025
Good morning !
Today we have an update on a local mall's owner's attempt to own part of Hudson's Bay, along with Insider roundups of last week's big news and next month's big events.
— Cam
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Mayfair Mall owner to buy 28 Hudson's Bay store leases
Hudson's Bay at Mayfair Mall in 2020. Photo: James MacDonald
Billionaire Ruby (Weihong) Liu has reached a deal to take over leases in Bay and Saks locations across Canada, though the deal will need court permission to go through. There are still 12 other bidders pursuing the leases of 39 locations.
Liu’s Central Walk group owns Mayfair as well as Tsawwassen Mills and Nanaimo's Woodgrove—though that was put up for sale this spring. All three have Bay stores as core tenants; her bid includes those stores as well as others in BC, Alberta, and Ontario.
Original plan was to revive famous HBC
She said on Chinese social media app RedNote in April that she wants to “restore the Bay to its glory days” as a way to do something for Canada after moving here a decade ago. However, Canadian Tire recently completed a $30M purchase of the Hudson’s Bay brand. Liu would have to negotiate with Canadian Tire to continue to operate the stores as Hudson’s Bay, and may also face negotiations with the mall landlords over the use and hours.
New department chain planned
It appears that Liu will not try for the Hudson’s Bay moniker for any of the stores and will instead launch a new department store chain that includes retail, food, and entertainment and hosts cultural events (something Tsawwassen Mills already does). Her announcements also emphasize attracting all age groups, and say that Hudson’s Bay staff, vendors, and suppliers will be given priority to return.
Whatever future the stores have will have to be implemented quickly; store liquidations, and court approvals for purchases, must happen by this Friday, May 30.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Road closures today for Oak Bay Half Marathon. [Info]
Another cougar sighting: Fri. near Cedarglen & Cedar Hill Rd., per Saanich Police.
UV index high (7) today, but 40% chance of rain tonight.
Major crash near Six Mile yesterday, closing Trans-Canada northbound between 5pm & 10pm. [RCMP]
BC's new area code (257) is now being assigned to new phone lines. [CBC]
A $40M lottery ticket was bought in BC. [CP]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
