Westgate Shopping Centre is considered Ottawa’s first shopping mall, and it’s set for demolition.
First opened in 1955, it was home to things for all ages.
“And they pushed that at opening,” local historian Dave Allston tells CTV News Ottawa. “It was futuristic.”
Stores like Steinberg’s and Frieman’s attracted shoppers.
“At its peak, you would have had this lot full every day with families coming in. Housewives coming in during the day to do shopping. People coming in to buy clothes for their family, to come to restaurants for a family meal,” says Allston.
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The mall is located on Carling Avenue, next to the Queensway.
“It was the vision of Harold Shenkman, who at the time kind of got onto what was becoming an American trend, which is building around the roads and the highways. And Ottawa was having the Queensway come through for the first time. And it was his forward thinking that thought, well, let’s put in a couple of flagship stores and a bunch of mom-and-pop stores to fill it out, and it took off in 1955,” says Allston.
He says the area where the mall now sits looked much different then. “It was marsh and swampland,” he said, adding across the street was “where J.R. Booth had put his lumber pile.”
“Very good memories,” says Ottawa resident Helen Assad. “Freiman’s was very popular for its malted milkshakes. And when we came with our mother, there was always a special treat if we behaved in the store.”
‘Celebrating the past, welcoming what’s next’
A sign at one of the entrances to the mall reads, “Celebrating the Past, Welcoming What’s Next.”
Signage indicates that “Westgate Shopping Centre will be closing at the end of October 2025.”
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“The mall has decided to redevelop,” says River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington. He confirms the mall will close on Friday, Oct. 31, and demolition will start shortly thereafter.
The Shoppers Drug Mart, which currently exists at the western edge of the mall, will remain.
The future of the property
According to Brockington, “The entire mall footprint will come down and a grocery store will be added next year. Right beside the Shoppers Drug Mart,” he says. “The longer-term plans include four residential towers.”
An existing residential tower was already built, adjacent to Carling Avenue, where the Monkey Joe’s restaurant once stood.
The Carlington Community Association says it is aware of the upcoming changes in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
“Residents are enthusiastic about the addition of a new and local grocery store in our community. Many residents have fond memories of the former retail and entertainment spaces that have occupied Westgate including Steinberg’s grocery, Bi-way, fabric shops, dance academies, cinemas and various restaurants,” the association said.
CTV News has reached out to Riocan, the mall owner.
