Iconic Canadian brand Roots recently completed a renovation to its CF Toronto Eaton Centre store in downtown Toronto, which will be a prototype for new and renovated stores moving forward. The updated Toronto ‘Roots Central’ store features a fresh interior and a non-gendered product assortment layout.
Construction of the store took about three months, beginning in February of 2024 and being completed in May. Final pieces were recently installed in the updated space, including a moss beaver on one of the walls of the store.
White walls and a mix of wood give the store an airy feel, including a mixture of Eastern Canada hemlock wood on the floor fixtures and white oak (on the existing floor and cash desk) that were refinished and/or refurbished. All of the millwork was done locally, and fixtures were made specifically for the store.
The moss beaver on one of the walls of the store was made in Toronto by Vancouver-based ByNature Design — the all-natural moss beaver is shaped in the iconic Roots logo that has become known worldwide.
CEO Meghan Roach told Retail Insider that in recognizing inclusivity and how consumers already cross-shopped the store, Roots created a new product layout for the CF Toronto Eaton Centre location that is not gendered — rather, product is displayed by collection. That includes a dedicated area on the second level for the brand’s iconic sweats across genders, and various other areas in the store including new product launches near the front mall entrance.
The CF Toronto Eaton Centre Roots flagship store, branded ‘Roots Central’, spans three split levels with 7,665 square feet of space. Roots opened the location in 1998, marking 25 years in the same location (its first store in the mall opened in 1986). The CF Toronto Eaton Centre store features a doorway onto Yonge Street in addition to its mall entrance, and also features ample natural light from East-facing windows towards Yonge Street and Dundas Square. The ceiling heights on the main level of the store are 18 feet, while the upper level boasts 22-foot ceilings which create a feeling of volume.
Meghan Roach said that the retailer’s new store design is meant to embrace inclusivity, while reflecting the heritage of the brand. She said that Roots will also be using the store design moving forward for new locations, including one that will open this fall on Robson Street in Vancouver, and any future renovations of existing locations.
Related Retail Insider Articles
Additional Photos of Roots at CF Toronto Eaton Centre
Why does it still look the same lol…
Groundbreaking guys, this brand could be Canadian cool. Instead they are stuck in the 1990’s Vancouver vibe forever.