One lease can make a big difference to a shopping centre, and T&T Supermarket's deal at The Regional Grpoup's Hazeldean Mall, a key retail destination in the capital, breathed new life into the enclosed shopping centre serving the communities of Kanata and Stittsville.
Filling the substantial void left by the closure of Your Independent Grocer, a tenant that had been at the location since 1979, T&T introduced a dynamic and fresh shopping experience, offering a diverse range of international products and specialty items that the region has long lacked.
T&T Supermarket, the largest Asian supermarket chain in Canada, introduced ethnic grocery retail to an area that had been underrepresented in the Ottawa region. Its entry tapped into an underserved market and helped to attract a diverse customer base and significantly increased foot traffic at the centre.
The project has earned the 2025 CoStar Impact award for lease of the year for Ottawa, as judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
About the deal: T&T Supermarket leased the 38,189-square-foot space at Hazeldean Mall for a term of 15 years. The impact of the lease was more than just replacing a tenant. The addition of the ethic grocer helped to revitalize the property and elevated Hazeldean Mall's profile as a leading retail hub in Kanata.
The retailer implemented eco-friendly practices at its Hazeldean Mall location. They include energy-efficient lighting and water-saving technologies, which align with its corporate commitment to green initiatives and the mall's long-term sustainability goals.
Given the size of the space, T&T required significant retrofitting to accommodate its unique layout needs. Coordinating the design and securing permits was crucial to ensuring the store would be ready for the possession date of January 15, 2024.
What the judges said: "This lease provided a significant pathway for T&T to enter the Kanata market, given the other options that it could have chosen. The deal saved a dying mall and will be the catalyst to additional leasing in the mall," said James McNeil, managing principal and broker of record with JJMcNeil Commercial Inc.
"Bringing in an anchor tenant that will truly revitalize Hazeldean Mall will have a huge impact on the surrounding community," said Ben Zunder, vice president and sales representative at CDN Global.
"T&T Supermarket's lease at Hazeldean Mall has revitalized a key retail space that had been sitting empty since Independent Grocer moved out. More than just filling a vacancy, this lease brings an internationally recognized brand to an underserved market, drawing in a more diverse customer base and boosting foot traffic. It also helps reshape the mall's tenant mix, making it a more vibrant shopping destination," said Krishon Walker, planner II, in economic development services with the city of Ottawa.
"Hazeldean Mall has faced challenges with the loss of some lead tenants. The demographics in the area have diversified and the expansion of T&T Supermarket into Kanata will revitalize the mall, generate employment and economic growth for the city and will address an underserved market. Innovative and sustainable design for the tenant's fit-up is an excellent example for grocery and retailers and will positively impact the community," said Erin Nagy, property director of JLL.
They made it happen: The Regional Group team that secured T&T Supermarket at its Hazeldean Mall was led by Leasing Director Todd Beech, supported by Senior Leasing Administrator Kelly Rombough, and Vice President of Asset Management and Government Relations Tal Scher.
CoStar Market Manager Patricia Figueroa contributed to this report.