Massive new Walmart Supercentre opens in Ontario

A massive new Walmart Supercentre has just opened its doors in Ontario. 

The American retail giant officially unveiled its second location in Oakville at the South Oakville Centre (formerly known as Hopedale Mall) on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7 a.m. 

The enormous outlet sprawls across 100,000 square feet and features a hot kitchen with ready-to-eat meals, Walmart's classic merchandise departments, health and beauty sections, furniture, appliances, and household goods. 

It will also feature a pharmacy on-site and a grocery department full of fresh produce, frozen foods, dairy, baked goods, and pantry staples, as well as a Chatime café for bubble tea lovers. 

This represents Oakville's second Walmart Supercentre, with the first being located at SmartCentres Oakville (234 Hays Blvd.), approximately 15 to 20 minutes away. 

Oakville's Mayor Rob Burton took to social media to highlight the importance of the store's opening in the town. "This marks Oakville's second Walmart location — another sign of our town's growing and thriving economy," Mayor Burton wrote.

"Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this new addition to our community!"

Most locals were thrilled to hear that a massive retail presence would be taking over the long-vacant lot. "Better than [an] empty lot, hopefully it will thrive for the locals who have missed shopping in this area," one resident commented under Mayor Burton's post.

South Oakville Centre has seen many other retail giants come and go over the years, including Zellers and even Target, which officially vacated the mall back in 2015. 

"Considering that mall was a ghost mall right after Target left, it's about time," another said.

The new Walmart Supercentre in Oakville is located at 1455 Rebecca St.