Mic Mac Mall
A major enclosed shopping mall in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, serving Halifax and the wider Maritime region.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Mic Mac Mall is an enclosed shopping centre in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, across Halifax Harbour from Halifax. Located beside Highway 111 and south of Lake Micmac, the three-level complex is one of Atlantic Canada's largest shopping destinations and a significant retail and transit hub for the Halifax Regional Municipality and the wider Maritime region. The property also contains a Halifax Transit terminal, giving it a role beyond conventional shopping and making it an important point of access for surrounding suburban communities. The mall was announced on July 13, 1971, by Micmac Shopping Centre Limited, a development company jointly associated with Simpsons, Eaton's, and Dartmouth developer MacCulloch and Company Limited. It formed part of the Micmac Village residential development, whose construction was supported by the opening of nearby Highway 111. Although Sobeys was initially considered for the supermarket component, Dominion won the tender and became one of the original anchors. Construction was undertaken by Robert MacAlpine Ltd. Mic Mac Mall opened for business on October 31, 1973, with Simpsons, Eaton's, and Dominion as its principal anchors. A formal opening ceremony followed in November, attended by Nova Scotia premier Gerald Regan, Mi'kmaq grand chief Donald Marshall, and Dartmouth mayor Eileen Stubbs. The complex expanded in 1978 and 1981 as the surrounding market developed and the mall established itself as a regional destination. Ownership changed several times. Simpsons and MacCulloch acquired Eaton's interest in 1976, and Hudson's Bay Company acquired Simpsons in 1978. HBC obtained complete ownership in 1981 and moved the property into its Markborough Properties real-estate subsidiary in 1983. A major renovation in 1993–94 added retailers including Toys "R" Us and The Gap, enlarged the food court, and refreshed the common areas with new skylights, flooring, and other improvements. Markborough sold the mall to Cambridge Shopping Centres in 1996. Following the 2001 merger of Cambridge and Ivanhoe Corporation, ownership passed to Ivanhoé Cambridge. Ivanhoé Cambridge announced another major redevelopment in 2018, with planned investment of more than C$55 million in common-area improvements and a food-court renovation. The property was sold in 2021 to Halifax developer Joe Ramia and an investment group. The ownership transition was accompanied by a renewed emphasis on local identity and visitor experience, including the return of Woody, the mall's long-running talking Christmas tree, after a 15-year absence. Current and recent retail offerings have included Decathlon, H&M, Old Navy, Shoppers Drug Mart, Linen Chest, Urban Planet, Winners, and Chapters. Decathlon's presence has been particularly notable because the mall has been described as the retailer's only location east of Quebec. The tenant mix has also reflected major changes in Canadian retail, including the departures of Eaton's, Zellers, Target, Toys "R" Us, Forever 21, HomeSense, Future Shop, The Gap, and Hudson's Bay. Hudson's Bay closed its Mic Mac Mall store on June 1, 2025, as part of the chain's nationwide liquidation. Mic Mac Mall's identity combines regional retail, suburban accessibility, entertainment, seasonal programming, and public transportation. Its long-running Woody tradition, major renovations, anchor-store succession, and connection to Halifax Transit have made it a recognizable institution in Dartmouth and the Halifax area.
History
Mic Mac Mall was conceived during the expansion of Dartmouth's suburban communities and transportation infrastructure. On July 13, 1971, Micmac Shopping Centre Limited announced plans for a regional shopping complex in Micmac Village, a housing development created by MacCulloch and Company Limited. The development benefited from the opening of Highway 111, which improved access to the site and helped position the future mall as a destination for customers from Dartmouth and surrounding areas. The original development company brought together Simpsons, Eaton's, and MacCulloch and Company Limited. A supermarket was planned as part of the project; Sobeys was initially considered, but Dominion ultimately won the tender. Robert MacAlpine Ltd. carried out construction. Mic Mac Mall opened for business on October 31, 1973, anchored by Simpsons, Eaton's, and Dominion. Its official opening ceremony took place in November and included Nova Scotia premier Gerald Regan, Mi'kmaq grand chief Donald Marshall, and Dartmouth mayor Eileen Stubbs. Expansion work followed in 1978 and 1981, reflecting the mall's growing regional role. The ownership structure changed during the mall's first decade. In 1976, Simpsons and MacCulloch jointly purchased Eaton's share, leaving each with a 50 percent interest. Hudson's Bay Company acquired Simpsons in 1978 and purchased the remaining interest in 1981, making HBC the sole owner. In 1983, HBC transferred the property to Markborough Properties, its wholly owned real-estate subsidiary. The mall received a substantial renovation in 1993–94. The project added or accommodated new retailers, including Toys "R" Us and The Gap, expanded the food court, and modernized the visual environment with new skylights and flooring. Markborough sold Mic Mac Mall to Cambridge Shopping Centres in 1996. In February 2001, the merger of Cambridge Shopping Centres and Ivanhoe Corporation created Ivanhoé Cambridge, which became the mall's subsequent owner. In 2004, title was transferred to 4239474 Canada Inc., a numbered company owned solely by Ivanhoé Cambridge. Retail changes continued through the 2000s and 2010s. Dominion was later converted to IGA before the grocery store closed in 2002. The space was eventually associated with Winners and HomeSense. Former anchors and major tenants included Eaton's, Simpsons, Hudson's Bay, Zellers, Target, Toys "R" Us, Forever 21, Future Shop, HomeSense, Mark's, Kent, Designer Depot, and The Gap. These changes reflected wider transformations in Canadian department-store, discount, electronics, specialty, and fashion retail. Target occupied the former Zellers space from 2013 until 2015, when Target Canada liquidated its operations. In June 2018, Ivanhoé Cambridge announced a renovation program valued at more than C$55 million. The work focused on common areas and the food court and was intended to refresh the mall's public spaces and maintain its competitiveness as a regional destination. Ivanhoé Cambridge sold the property in 2021 to Halifax developer Joe Ramia and a group of investors. A distinctive element of the mall's history is Woody, a talking Christmas tree installed in the centre court alongside Santa. Woody became a seasonal tradition over more than 25 years, although the attraction was retired in 2007 because of safety concerns and the need for extensive repairs to its frame. After the 2021 sale, the new owners promised to restore the character. Woody returned on November 19, 2021, with a redesigned appearance. Hundreds of people attended the unveiling, and the attraction later received broad attention after being featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and covered by international news organizations. The mall also functions as a transportation facility. The Micmac Terminal is a Halifax Transit hub serving routes including 10 Dalhousie, 54 Montebello, 55 Port Wallace, 56 Dartmouth Crossing, 67 Baker, and 72 Portland Hills. Its combination of retail, seasonal programming, and transit access has sustained Mic Mac Mall's role as a prominent commercial and community facility in the Halifax region.
- 2025
Hudson's Bay anchor closes
[1]The Hudson's Bay store closed on June 1 as part of the chain's nationwide liquidation.
- 2021
Property sold to local ownership group
[1]Joe Ramia and an investment group acquired the mall from Ivanhoé Cambridge.
- 2021
Woody returns
[1]The renovated talking Christmas tree returned on November 19 after a 15-year absence.
- 2018
Renovation investment announced
[1]Ivanhoé Cambridge announced a renovation program valued at more than C$55 million.
- 2015
Target closes
[1]The Target store closed on April 1 during the liquidation of Target Canada's assets.
- 2013
Target opens in former Zellers space
[1]Target opened at the mall on September 17 in space previously occupied by Zellers.
- 2007
Woody retired
[1]The talking Christmas tree was retired because of safety concerns and extensive repair requirements.
- 2001
Ownership passes to Ivanhoé Cambridge
[1]The merger of Cambridge Shopping Centres and Ivanhoe Corporation created Ivanhoé Cambridge, which became the mall's owner.
- 1996
Sold to Cambridge Shopping Centres
[1]Markborough Properties sold the mall to Cambridge Shopping Centres Limited.
- 1993
Major renovation begins
[1]A renovation running through 1994 expanded the food court, added retailers, and modernized the common areas.
Products and positioning
A large regional enclosed shopping centre serving Dartmouth, Halifax, and the broader Maritime market, with a tenant mix spanning fashion, sport, home, books, pharmacy, food, and services.
Retail property · 1973
Shopping-centre retail environment
Mic Mac Mall provides a three-level enclosed retail environment with stores across fashion, sporting goods, home furnishings, beauty, pharmacy, books, lifestyle merchandise, food, and services. Its role is primarily that of a regional shopping destination rather than a product manufacturer, with the tenant mix changing over time as national and local retailers open, relocate, or close.
Transit facility
Micmac Terminal
The Micmac Terminal is a Halifax Transit bus hub located at the mall. It connects the shopping centre with communities in Dartmouth and the wider Halifax Regional Municipality through routes including Dalhousie, Montebello, Port Wallace, Dartmouth Crossing, Baker, and Portland Hills.
Seasonal attraction
Woody talking Christmas tree
Woody is a talking Christmas tree attraction traditionally displayed in the centre court with Santa. After more than 25 years of seasonal appearances, the original attraction was retired in 2007 and returned in redesigned form on November 19, 2021.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Woody's return
Dartmouth · Halifax Regional Municipality · Canada · International media
Following the mall's change in ownership, Mic Mac Mall revived Woody, its well-known talking Christmas tree, and unveiled a refreshed version to the public. The event used a long-running local tradition to reinforce the mall's community identity and seasonal appeal.
Outcome. Hundreds attended the unveiling, and the attraction gained national and international attention after appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and being covered by international outlets.
Brand decisions
2021
Sale to Joe Ramia and investment groupM&ABackground
After a long period under institutional ownership by Ivanhoé Cambridge, the property changed hands during a period of retail-market restructuring.
Action taken
Ivanhoé Cambridge sold Mic Mac Mall to Halifax developer Joe Ramia and an unnamed group of investors.
Aftermath
The new ownership group promoted the return of Woody and continued operating the mall as a regional shopping and transit destination.
2021
Reintroduction of WoodyOtherBackground
Woody had been retired in 2007 because of safety concerns and the need for extensive repairs.
Action taken
The new owners brought back a redesigned version of the talking Christmas tree on November 19, 2021.
Aftermath
The unveiling attracted hundreds of visitors and generated substantial media exposure beyond the local market.
2018
Comprehensive mall renovationStrategyBackground
Ivanhoé Cambridge sought to refresh the property's public areas and food offering in response to changing retail expectations and competition in the Halifax-area market.
Action taken
The owner announced an investment of more than C$55 million for common-area refurbishment and food-court renovation.
Aftermath
The work became a major modernization phase before Ivanhoé Cambridge sold the mall in 2021.
Planned renovation investment. More than C$55 million announced (2018)
Recent events
- 2025
Hudson's Bay closes Mic Mac Mall store[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
The former Simpsons and Hudson's Bay anchor store closed on June 1, 2025, during the nationwide liquidation of Hudson's Bay locations.
- 2021
Mic Mac Mall sold to Joe Ramia and investment group[1]
M&A
Ivanhoé Cambridge sold the property to Halifax developer Joe Ramia and an unnamed group of investors.
- 2021
Woody talking Christmas tree returns to Mic Mac Mall[1]
Campaign · Other
The mall restored its long-standing talking Christmas tree attraction after a 15-year absence. The return drew hundreds of visitors and received international media attention after a television appearance.
- 2018
Ivanhoé Cambridge announces major Mic Mac Mall renovation[1]
Other
Ivanhoé Cambridge announced plans to invest more than C$55 million in renovations, including extensive common-area work and a food-court refurbishment.
Sources2 sources
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