Mississauga — vard East at Hurontario Street, is reportedly on the verge of closing its doors after more than 40 years in business.
Shoppers and staff say the store has stopped restocking shelves, and employees believe the closure could happen as early as next month. While the company has offered “no comment,” the 14-acre property has been listed for sale since June, and Mayor Carolyn Parrish recently confirmed during a city council meeting that the site has been sold.
“Highland Farms was sold because they are fed up — they are finished with it — and they are closing that grocery store,” Parrish said, citing frustration with the prolonged construction of the Hazel McCallion Line LRT on Hurontario Street, which owners believe has severely reduced customer traffic.
Once a bustling shopping hub with fresh produce, bakery, meat, and fish counters, the massive 93,000-square-foot retail space has seen declining foot traffic in recent years. Built in 1981, the store has been a landmark destination for generations of Mississauga residents.
The property listing describes the site as suitable for retail or industrial redevelopment, with 176,338 square feet of total space, including a warehouse, and 1,100 parking spots. Residential development, however, is unlikely, as the location sits directly under the flight path of Toronto Pearson International Airport.