Pearson Plaza
Pearson Plaza is a small indoor shopping complex in Elliot Lake, Ontario, developed to replace the demolished Algo Centre Mall.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Pearson Plaza is a small indoor shopping complex in Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada. It was developed on the site of a former rock and later Huron Lodge at the intersection of Hillside Drive South and Ontario Avenue. The complex was created as a replacement for the Algo Centre Mall, whose roof collapsed and whose subsequent demolition left Elliot Lake without its principal enclosed retail centre. Because the earlier mall had been a major social and economic facility in a relatively remote community, Pearson Plaza received substantial public-sector support during its development. The project was funded by contributions from both the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada, together with an amortized loan from Infrastructure Ontario. The stated funding structure comprised $1 million from each senior government and a $1.5 million loan. Developer Ron McCowan completed the land purchase in March 2014, although construction had not begun by October of that year. McCowan & Associates is identified as the mall landlord. Pearson Plaza was initially planned as a single-level complex with approximately 20 to 22 retail tenants and larger anchor stores, including Foodland and Canadian Tire. The completed or modified concept instead centered on a grocery store, department store, dollar store, public library and a small food court, with additional room at the southern end for possible detached units. The first anticipated tenant was a Foodland grocery store. Although it had originally been expected to open earlier, Foodland eventually opened on April 1, 2016. Turners department store followed on December 6, 2016; Dollarama opened in January 2017; and the library opened in May 2017. A two-restaurant food court began operating in summer 2017, including Chantis Fresh Cafe, which was owned by Turners Elliot Lake. The tenant mix has changed over time. Chantis was sold in May 2018 and became CC'S Bistro & Café. Turners Department Store and CC's Bistro & Cafe both closed in May 2019. The vacant department-store unit became the subject of a municipal effort to attract a general retailer. The City of Elliot Lake leased the space for $10,000 per month while seeking prospective tenants, without issuing a formal request for proposals. Attempts to recruit operators included discussions involving Giant Tiger and efforts to secure a smaller-format Walmart, but these initiatives did not produce a tenant. In December 2020, the unit was filled by Hart Home Store. The city agreed to lease the space for six years and receive 10 percent of the store's profit as part of the arrangement. Pearson Plaza's name may allude to Lester B. Pearson, the former Canadian prime minister and Nobel Peace Prize recipient who represented the Algoma East riding, including Elliot Lake, from 1948 to 1968. The plaza's role is primarily local rather than national: it provides everyday shopping, food, services and civic functions for Elliot Lake, with retailers and facilities reported to include Foodland, Dailies II, Investors Group, Miss Jones, New Orleans Pizza, Quality Flowers, Robins Donuts, Subway, a library and other small businesses.
History
Pearson Plaza emerged from the need to replace the Algo Centre Mall, Elliot Lake's principal enclosed shopping centre. The earlier mall's roof collapse had major consequences for the community, which had relatively few alternative large-scale retail facilities. After the mall was demolished, the proposed replacement became not only a commercial development but also a publicly supported community-rebuilding project. The new development was planned for a site at Hillside Drive South and Ontario Avenue, on land associated with a former rock and later Huron Lodge. Government assistance reflected the importance of the project to Elliot Lake's economy and civic life. Ontario and the federal government each supplied $1 million, while Infrastructure Ontario provided a $1.5 million amortized loan. Ron McCowan completed the land purchase in March 2014, although construction had not started by October of that year. McCowan & Associates is the landlord identified for the completed complex. Early plans described a single-storey shopping centre with 20 to 22 tenants and large anchors such as Foodland and Canadian Tire. The final configuration was more modest and was adapted around a grocery store, department store, dollar store, public library, small food court and other retail and service units. The Foodland opening, initially expected earlier, took place on April 1, 2016. Turners department store opened on December 6, 2016, followed by Dollarama in January 2017 and the library in May 2017. A two-restaurant food court opened during summer 2017 and included Chantis Fresh Cafe, associated with Turners Elliot Lake. Tenant turnover became an important part of the plaza's subsequent history. Chantis was sold in May 2018 and renamed CC'S Bistro & Café. In May 2019, both CC's Bistro & Cafe and Turners Department Store closed. The City of Elliot Lake then attempted to recruit a replacement general retailer for the former Turners unit. It leased the space for $10,000 per month and contacted potential operators without issuing a formal request for proposals. The city tried to attract Giant Tiger and explored the possibility of a smaller-format Walmart, but neither effort resulted in a store. Retailers cited factors including required floor area and the characteristics of the local market. The vacant unit was ultimately occupied by Hart Home Store in December 2020. To help secure the tenant, the city agreed to lease the unit for six years and receive 10 percent of profit. Pearson Plaza's reported tenants and facilities have included Foodland, Dailies II, Investors Group, Miss Jones, New Orleans Pizza, Quality Flowers, Robins Donuts, Subway and the public library. The name Pearson may reference Lester B. Pearson, who represented the Algoma East constituency, including Elliot Lake, for two decades.
- 2020
Hart Home Store opens
[1]Hart Home Store occupied the former Turners unit in December 2020.
- 2019
Major tenants close
[1]Turners Department Store and CC's Bistro & Cafe closed in May 2019.
- 2018
Chantis becomes CC'S Bistro & Café
[1]Chantis was sold in May 2018 and continued under the name CC'S Bistro & Café.
- 2017
Dollarama and library join the complex
[1]Dollarama opened in January and the public library opened in May 2017.
- 2017
Food court opens
[1]A two-restaurant food court opened during summer 2017, including Chantis Fresh Cafe.
- 2016
Foodland opens
[1]Foodland opened on April 1, 2016, becoming the first operating store in Pearson Plaza.
- 2016
Turners opens
[1]Turners department store opened on December 6, 2016.
- 2014
Land purchase completed
[1]Developer Ron McCowan completed the purchase of the Pearson Plaza site in March 2014.
- 2012
Public support and retailer recruitment discussions
[1]Government funding for retailers entering remote communities was available, while Elliot Lake considered ways to attract large-format tenants for the planned replacement shopping centre.
Products and positioning
A community-oriented indoor shopping centre serving Elliot Lake with essential retail, food, service and civic facilities.
Grocery retail · 2016
Foodland
Foodland is Pearson Plaza's grocery anchor and was the first store to open in the complex. Its presence provides everyday food and household shopping for Elliot Lake residents.
Home and general merchandise retail · 2020
Hart Home Store
Hart Home Store occupies the former Turners department-store unit. It was brought into the plaza after the city undertook a tenant-recruitment effort to restore a larger general-retail presence.
Civic and information services · 2017
Public library
The library is an important non-retail facility within Pearson Plaza. Its opening in May 2017 broadened the complex's role from shopping centre to community and civic destination.
Food service · 2017
Food court
The plaza's small food court opened in summer 2017 with two restaurants. Chantis Fresh Cafe was an original component; after its sale in 2018, the business operated as CC'S Bistro & Café until closing in 2019.
Brand decisions
2020
Lease arrangement for Hart Home StoreStrategyBackground
The former Turners unit remained vacant after efforts to attract a general retailer.
Action taken
The City of Elliot Lake agreed to lease the space for six years and receive 10 percent of the store's profit to help secure Hart Home Store.
Aftermath
Hart Home Store opened in the unit in December 2020.
2019
Municipal effort to recruit a general retailerStrategyBackground
The closure of Turners left a large vacant unit and reduced the plaza's general-merchandise offering.
Action taken
The City of Elliot Lake leased the space for $10,000 per month and approached potential retailers, including Giant Tiger and a smaller-format Walmart concept.
Aftermath
The recruitment attempts did not secure those prospective operators. Hart Home Store eventually filled the unit in December 2020.
Monthly municipal lease cost. $10,000 per month (Tenant-recruitment period beginning in 2019)
- Giant Tiger — Giant Tiger reportedly declined, citing its existing and planned store footprint in nearby Ontario communities.
- Walmart — The community was unable to attract a smaller-format Walmart operation.
2014
Publicly supported replacement-centre developmentStrategyBackground
Elliot Lake needed a replacement for the demolished Algo Centre Mall, whose roof collapse had removed a central retail and community facility.
Action taken
Ontario and Canada each contributed $1 million, and Infrastructure Ontario provided a $1.5 million amortized loan for the replacement project.
Aftermath
The project produced a smaller single-level complex focused on essential retail, civic services and food outlets.
Project funding. $3.5 million in identified public funding and financing (Development period)
Sources1 sources
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