Lambton Mall
A shopping mall in Sarnia, Ontario, serving the Sarnia-Lambton region.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Lambton Mall is a shopping centre in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Opened in 1971, it developed from a regional enclosed mall into one of the principal retail destinations in the Sarnia-Lambton area. The property has expanded and been reconfigured several times and is described as encompassing more than 580,000 square feet of retail space. Its tenant mix has included national fashion, sporting-goods, entertainment, food-service, grocery, automotive, pharmacy, banking and specialty-retail businesses. At opening, the mall's principal anchors included Canadian Tire, Dominion Supermarket and Woolco. Dominion was subsequently replaced by Ashbrook's, while the centre initially operated without a conventional department-store anchor. The mall's competitive position became more difficult in the early 1990s as consumers in the region faced an increasingly attractive cross-border shopping alternative at Birchwood Mall in Port Huron, Michigan. Two external factors helped Lambton Mall remain viable: the Canadian government's decision to permit Sunday shopping and a weaker Canadian dollar, which encouraged more American visitors to shop in Canada. The 1990s brought a series of physical and tenant changes. Woolco was acquired by Walmart, Toys R Us opened in the east wing, and Canadian Tire expanded into nearby space. In 2006, Walmart closed its mall store and constructed a replacement in a nearby strip-mall setting. The former Walmart area continued to be used by Canadian Tire, while the former Canadian Tire building was later redeveloped for a Galaxy Cinemas multiplex, which opened in 2013. Ownership also changed over time. Orlando Corporation owned the property from 2002 to 2005. In 2005, it was transferred to Lambton Mall Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Primaris Retail. In 2013, the mall was acquired by KS Lambton Mall Inc., a subsidiary associated with Cushman & Wakefield, which is identified as the owner in reference material. A major safety incident occurred on December 14, 2000, when part of the roof collapsed near the Hallmark store after several days of snow accumulation. Susan Foster, a 47-year-old worker preparing the premises for opening, died, and another worker was injured. The incident became the most serious event in the mall's recorded history and generated scrutiny over snow removal and roof maintenance. The property continued to be repositioned in the late 2010s. In March 2019, renovation of the former Sears space was approved, with the intention of preparing the area for new tenants by April 2020. A Chuck's Roadhouse restaurant replaced Montana's Bar and Grill in June 2019. Later that year, plans were reported for a new clothing tenant occupying more than 16,000 square feet, requiring the departure of several smaller tenants, including Northern Reflections and Pet Valu, together with two Ontario Provincial Police locations. By 2020, Marshalls and HomeSense had taken over the former Sears Canada space. Major tenants and property occupants have included SportChek, Galaxy Cinemas, Canadian Tire, Dollarama, Toys R Us, Mark's, Hallmark, New York Fries, The Beer Store, Chuck's Roadhouse and Royal Bank of Canada.
History
Lambton Mall opened in 1971 in Sarnia, Ontario, as an enclosed shopping centre intended to serve the local and regional market. Its original major occupants included Canadian Tire, Dominion Supermarket and Woolco. Dominion was later replaced by Ashbrook's. Unlike many regional malls, Lambton Mall initially lacked a traditional department-store anchor, relying instead on a combination of discount, grocery, automotive and specialty tenants. The mall faced a serious competitive challenge in the early 1990s from Birchwood Mall in Port Huron, Michigan. Cross-border shopping drew customers away, creating concern about Lambton Mall's long-term viability. The centre benefited from two changes in its commercial environment: Sunday shopping became permissible in Canada, and a decline in the Canadian dollar made shopping in Canada more attractive to American visitors. These developments helped the mall avoid closure and supported further investment. During the 1990s, the property underwent several expansions and tenant changes. Woolco's retail presence was taken over by Walmart. Toys R Us was added in the east wing, and Canadian Tire expanded into adjacent or nearby spaces. These changes broadened the centre's appeal beyond conventional enclosed-mall retail and strengthened its role as a mixed retail destination. Ownership changed several times in the following decade. Orlando Corporation owned the mall between 2002 and 2005. In 2005, the property was transferred to Lambton Mall Limited Partnership, a Primaris Retail subsidiary. Walmart later closed its mall location in 2006 and built a replacement store in a nearby strip-mall development. Although the Walmart lease reportedly continued for a longer period, the former in-mall location was used by Canadian Tire. A Galaxy Cinemas complex was subsequently built in the former Canadian Tire building and opened in 2013, adding a significant entertainment component to the site. On December 14, 2000, before these later changes, a section of the mall roof collapsed near Hallmark after snow had accumulated for several days. Susan Foster, a 47-year-old worker preparing for the day's opening, was killed, and another worker was injured. The incident was attributed in contemporary accounts to the failure to adequately clear snow from the roof and remains an important part of the property's history. In 2013, KS Lambton Mall Inc., a Cushman & Wakefield subsidiary, acquired the property. The centre was subsequently repositioned through redevelopment and tenant replacement. In 2019, renovation of the former Sears Canada location was approved. That year also saw Montana's Bar and Grill replaced by Chuck's Roadhouse and plans for a new clothing tenant of more than 16,000 square feet, which required several smaller occupants and Ontario Provincial Police spaces to leave. By 2020, Marshalls and HomeSense were operating in the former Sears area. The mall's documented tenant mix has included SportChek, Galaxy Cinemas, Canadian Tire, Dollarama, Toys R Us, Mark's, Hallmark, New York Fries, The Beer Store, Chuck's Roadhouse and Royal Bank of Canada.
- 2020
Marshalls and HomeSense occupy former Sears area
[1]The former Sears Canada space is used by Marshalls and HomeSense.
- 2019
Former Sears space approved for redevelopment
[1]The former Sears location receives approval for renovation and future tenant use.
- 2013
Cushman & Wakefield subsidiary acquires mall
[1]KS Lambton Mall Inc. purchases the property. A Galaxy Cinemas location also opens in a redeveloped former building on the site.
- 2006
Walmart relocates
[1]Walmart closes its in-mall store and builds a nearby replacement; Canadian Tire later occupies the former mall space.
- 2005
Transfer to Primaris-related partnership
[1]Ownership transfers to Lambton Mall Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Primaris Retail.
- 2002
Orlando Corporation ownership period begins
[1]Orlando Corporation owns the property during the early 2000s.
- 2000
Roof collapse
[1]A snow-related roof collapse kills one worker and injures another.
- 1990
Mall faces cross-border competition
[1]Competition from Birchwood Mall in Port Huron places pressure on Lambton Mall, while Sunday-shopping reforms and currency conditions help sustain the property.
- 1971
Lambton Mall opens
[1]The enclosed shopping centre opens in Sarnia with Canadian Tire, Dominion Supermarket and Woolco among its principal occupants.
Products and positioning
A broad-based regional shopping centre serving Sarnia and surrounding communities, with a tenant mix combining national retailers, entertainment, food service and large-format off-mall occupants.
Shopping mall · 1971
Enclosed regional shopping centre
Lambton Mall provides enclosed retail space for apparel, sporting goods, home products, toys, beauty, food and specialty merchants. Its tenant-based model combines national chains with service businesses and is designed to serve Sarnia and nearby communities.
Entertainment · 2013
Galaxy Cinemas
A cinema complex developed in the former Canadian Tire building adds entertainment and out-of-hours traffic to the mall site. The location opened in 2013 as part of the property's broader redevelopment.
Off-price and home retail · 2020
Marshalls and HomeSense
Marshalls and HomeSense occupy the former Sears Canada space. Their combined presence expanded the site's clothing, accessories, home furnishings and housewares offer after the redevelopment of the former department-store area.
Controversies
2000
Snow-related roof collapse
On December 14, 2000, part of Lambton Mall's roof collapsed near the Hallmark store after several days of snow accumulation. Susan Foster, a worker preparing for opening, died, and another worker was injured. Accounts cited inadequate snow clearance and maintenance concerns.
Brand decisions
2019
Redevelopment of former Sears spaceStrategyBackground
The closure of Sears Canada left a large department-store area requiring a new use.
Action taken
Renovation was approved to prepare the former Sears location for new tenants.
Aftermath
Marshalls and HomeSense later occupied the former Sears space, broadening the centre's off-price apparel and home-retail offer.
2019
Chuck's Roadhouse replaces Montana's Bar and GrillProduct launchBackground
The mall site's restaurant mix was being refreshed during a broader period of tenant changes.
Action taken
Chuck's Roadhouse took over the former Montana's Bar and Grill location.
Aftermath
The replacement maintained a restaurant use at the site while changing the food-service brand.
2013
Acquisition by KS Lambton Mall Inc.M&ABackground
The property changed ownership after earlier periods under Orlando Corporation and a Primaris-related partnership.
Action taken
KS Lambton Mall Inc., a subsidiary associated with Cushman & Wakefield, acquired Lambton Mall.
Aftermath
The property remained under Cushman & Wakefield-related ownership while continuing tenant and building redevelopment.
2006
Walmart relocates from enclosed mall to nearby strip-mall siteStrategyBackground
Walmart closed its Lambton Mall store while maintaining a lease that reportedly extended beyond the closure.
Action taken
The retailer built and operated a replacement store northeast of the mall. The former in-mall space was subsequently occupied by Canadian Tire.
Aftermath
The change altered the mall's anchor configuration and contributed to the later redevelopment of other former large-format spaces.
Recent events
- 2020
Marshalls and HomeSense occupy former Sears space[1]
Product launch
The former Sears Canada area was converted for use by Marshalls and HomeSense.
- 2019
Former Sears space approved for renovation[1]
Other
Renovation of the former Sears Canada space was approved, preparing the area for new tenants expected to move in by April 2020.
- 2019
Chuck's Roadhouse replaces Montana's Bar and Grill[1]
Product launch
Chuck's Roadhouse took over the space previously occupied by Montana's Bar and Grill.
- 2019
Large clothing tenant announced for consolidated retail space[1]
Product launch
Plans were reported for a clothing store occupying more than 16,000 square feet. Several tenants, including Northern Reflections and Pet Valu, were expected to vacate the affected area.
- 2013
Galaxy Cinemas opens in redeveloped former Canadian Tire building[1]
Product launch
A Galaxy Cinemas location was developed in the former Canadian Tire building after Canadian Tire expanded into the former Walmart space.
- 2006
Walmart leaves mall location for nearby strip-mall store[1]
Other
Walmart closed its Lambton Mall store and opened a replacement store in a nearby strip-mall development. The former mall space was subsequently occupied by Canadian Tire.
- 2005
Lambton Mall ownership transferred to Primaris-related partnership[1]
M&A
The property was transferred from Orlando Corporation to Lambton Mall Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Primaris Retail.
Sources2 sources
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