Stores in Capilano Mall in Edmonton close the doors

Capilano Mall was nearly empty Sunday as its few remaining stores packed up to make way for major renovations.

Mike Stojanowski, one of few customers walking alone in the mall, remembered a time when the shopping centre was alive and well.

“It's sad to look at it now. It's deserted. That eating area used to be full all the time,” he said, recalling many conversations with seniors in the food court over coffee and sandwiches. Stojanowski, age 90, used to also go to Capilano Mall for the dentist, optometrist, and hearing aid clinic.

“I hate to see it being closed. And I think most of the seniors around here would agree with me 100%,” he said.

Stojanowski walks every day at Capilano Mall, despite the lack of shops – most, including Clover Fashion, Leather Centre and Hangers – have already closed. In Spring 2014, owner SmartCentres will roll out its $11-million renovation that will replace most current tenants with outward-facing chain stores like Dollarama, Petland, Reitman and Oodle Noodle. Customers will have to walk outside to get from one store to the next.

Stojanowski, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, does not know what he will do when the mall as he knows it is torn down.

“I hope I'm not around anymore. Really,” he said.

“I can't walk outside because my eyes are gone. If I walk on the sidewalk, I trip. So I come to the mall to walk around. And the bus drops me off right in front of my house, so it's easy for me to come on the bus. I don't drive anymore.”

Stojanowski said he could try going to Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre instead, but it's difficult to get there because he has to cross a traffic circle and can't always see cars coming.

For others, like Trina Wheaton, who has worked at Ricki's clothing store in Capilano for four years, the change is welcome. Ricki's closed down Sunday but will be rebuilt in the renovation.

“I was sad, but at the same time, the area does need revitalization,” Wheaton said. “This mall is really old and there hasn't been a lot of work in it in a very long time. We've experienced some flooding in the past, so we saw a lot of things that actually really did need to be redone.”

Walmart, Winners, Safeway, Albert's Restaurant and the library will remain intact.

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