Remember the “classic” malls of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s? Some of them still look like they’re from that era! Many others have been completely renovated or redeveloped. Here’s a look back at some of Nova Scotia’s oldest and best-known regional malls from days gone by. Many are still operating today.
Halifax Shopping Centre
📍 Halifax
📅 Opened: 1962
One of Nova Scotia’s oldest and most successful malls, Halifax Shopping Centre has been serving shoppers for more than 60 years.
Scotia Square
📍 Halifax
📅 Opened: 1969
Located in downtown Halifax, Scotia Square was part of a major urban renewal project. Its location connected office workers, shoppers, and visitors to a variety of stores and services right in the heart of the city. Also a little creepy, in my opinion!
Mic Mac Mall
📍 Dartmouth
📅 Opened: 1973
For many Nova Scotians, Mic Mac Mall was the mall. It quickly became one of Atlantic Canada’s largest shopping centres and still draws crowds today, especially when its creepy Christmas tree, Woody, starts talking!
Yarmouth Mall
📍 Yarmouth
📅 Opened: 1973
Southwestern Nova Scotia’s biggest shopping centre became a hub for local shoppers. Still popular today!
Penhorn Mall
📍 Dartmouth
📅 Opened: April 3, 1974
Penhorn Mall was one of Dartmouth’s most popular malls during the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. It featured anchors such as Woolco, Walmart, Sobeys, Sears, and a movie theatre. Although the enclosed mall closed in 2010, many Nova Scotians still have fond memories of shopping there.
County Fair Mall
📍 New Minas
📅 Opened: 1976
Serving the Annapolis Valley, County Fair Mall became a favourite destination for shoppers from Windsor to Digby. It still looks very “authentic” inside!
Aberdeen Shopping Centre
📍 New Glasgow
📅 Opened: 1979
Northern Nova Scotia’s largest shopping centre gave residents of Pictou County and surrounding areas access to many of the same retailers found in larger cities.
Mayflower Mall
📍 Sydney
📅 Opened: 1980
Cape Breton’s largest mall quickly became a gathering place for shoppers across the island. It remains one of the most important retail centres east of Halifax.
Bridgewater Mall
📍 Bridgewater
📅 Opened: 1981
For many South Shore residents, Bridgewater Mall was the place to go for back-to-school shopping, Christmas gifts, and weekend browsing. It’s now known as South Shore Centre!
Sunnyside Mall
📍 Bedford
📅 Opened: 1982
Sunnyside Mall may have been smaller than some of Nova Scotia’s other malls, but it became an important shopping destination for Bedford residents and continues to serve the community today.
📍 Bedford
📅 Opened: 1982
Smaller than some of Nova Scotia’s other malls, Sunnyside became an important shopping destination for Bedford residents and was one of the fastest-growing retail areas in the province during the 1980s.
