Canadian apparel brand Kit and Ace has opened its newest store at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby, British Columbia. The pop-up marks the 11th store for the growing brand, following closely on the heels of its 10th location, which opened last month at The Well in downtown Toronto. The Burnaby pop-up serves as a test to gauge consumer demand in Metro Vancouver’s largest shopping centre.
Metropolis at Metrotown’s status as British Columbia’s largest shopping centre, and Canada’s third-largest by floor area, provides a significant platform for Kit and Ace as it continues its aggressive expansion plan. The shopping centre spans more than 1.78 million square feet and features over 450 stores and services, drawing high traffic both locally and from the broader Metro Vancouver region.
A Strategic National Expansion Plan
Kit and Ace’s growing footprint is part of a broader national expansion strategy under the leadership of CEO David Lui. Since the brand’s acquisition by Unity Brands Inc. in July 2023, Kit and Ace has embarked on a steady and deliberate growth plan targeting Canada’s top retail nodes. Unity Brands, co-founded by Canadian retail veterans Joe Mimran, Frank Rocchetti, and David Lui, has brought extensive industry experience to the restructured company.
The company’s expansion strategy focuses on a blend of high-traffic shopping centres, lifestyle-driven retail nodes, and select urban neighbourhoods. The Burnaby pop-up follows this formula, leveraging Metropolis at Metrotown’s robust foot traffic and connectivity to Greater Vancouver through its direct integration with Metrotown SkyTrain station and the adjacent 24-hour bus exchange.
Store Realignments and Upcoming Openings
Kit and Ace’s expansion efforts are not limited to new store openings but also include relocations and major renovations. At CF Toronto Eaton Centre, the existing third-floor pop-up store will relocate to the former Williams Sonoma space this July, positioning the brand in a more prominent retail location within one of Canada’s highest-traffic malls. That storefront is almost 4,800 square feet, according to Cadillac Fairview lease plans.
The growth trajectory continues into the fall of 2025, when Kit and Ace plans to open two more locations: one at Bayview Village in Toronto and another at Park Royal in West Vancouver. In Calgary, the Kit and Ace store at CF Market Mall is slated for a full-scale renovation, with renderings already showcasing the updated store design that reflects the brand’s elevated aesthetic.
Product Development and Brand Evolution
Alongside store expansion, Kit and Ace is advancing its product strategy through ongoing research and development. New products and categories are expected to launch soon, extending the brand’s offerings and reinforcing its identity of blending performance with luxury.
Since its founding in 2014 by Shannon and JJ Wilson—members of the family behind Lululemon—Kit and Ace has been known for its performance-based essentials designed for urban professionals. While its initial years saw rapid international expansion, the brand underwent significant restructuring following a contraction in 2017. Under its current ownership, Kit and Ace has refocused on Canada, building a more measured and sustainable retail strategy.
Metropolis at Metrotown: A Key Location for Growth
The choice of Metropolis at Metrotown for Kit and Ace’s latest pop-up aligns with the shopping centre’s continued prominence in British Columbia’s retail landscape. The centre’s extensive tenant mix includes major retailers such as Uniqlo, Zara, Walmart, H&M, Winners/HomeSense, Muji, Sport Chek, Indigo, and the newly closed Hudson’s Bay space, which shuttered on June 1, 2025, along with the remainder of the HBC chain’s department stores.
Originally developed in the mid-1980s on a former Ford Canada site, Metrotown evolved through several major redevelopments and consolidations. The current integrated complex, known as Metropolis at Metrotown, emerged in 2005 through the merging of the original Metrotown Centre, Eaton Centre, and Station Square developments. Today, it serves as a retail, dining, and entertainment hub, complemented by nearby office towers, including the Metrotowers complex.
Direct access to public transit remains one of Metropolis at Metrotown’s competitive advantages. The adjacent Metrotown SkyTrain station (under construction) ranks among the busiest in Metro Vancouver, while the integrated 24-hour bus loop further extends the centre’s accessibility to Burnaby and neighbouring municipalities.
Maintaining Vancouver Roots Amid National Growth
While Kit and Ace has made substantial inroads into markets such as Toronto and Calgary, the brand’s home base remains Vancouver, where its first store opened in Gastown in 2014. The Vancouver market remains key to the company’s growth strategy, with strong brand awareness and a loyal customer base that has followed Kit and Ace through its various phases of evolution.
Calgary has also emerged as an important market for Kit and Ace, reflecting the brand’s resonance in multiple Canadian urban centres known for their active professional populations and interest in functional yet stylish apparel.
Looking Ahead: Future Flagship and Continued Expansion
As Kit and Ace continues to build momentum, discussions are ongoing for a permanent flagship location in Toronto, which remains one of the brand’s top-performing markets. Until a flagship site is secured, the company continues to rely on pop-up formats as a nimble and effective way to build brand presence and test various locations.
Through 2025, Kit and Ace is expected to announce additional store openings, further diversifying its presence across Canada with both permanent stores and short-term pop-ups.
