After nearly two decades at Canada’s most productive mall, Moxies is preparing to serve its final guests at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The premium casual restaurant chain announced that its Yorkdale location will officially close on January 17, 2026, bringing to a close an eighteen-year run that began in February 2007. Over that period, the restaurant welcomed more than two million guests, becoming a familiar destination for shoppers, business diners, and visitors from across the Greater Toronto Area.
The Moxies Yorkdale closure marks the end of a long-standing presence within a mall that has undergone a dramatic transformation over the same period. While the decision reflects a moment of transition, the company emphasized that it also signals a forward-looking shift as the brand continues to evolve its real estate and growth strategy.
In announcing the closure, Moxies acknowledged both the emotional and operational weight of leaving a location with such a long history. Joanne Forrester, President and Chief Operating Officer of Moxies, described the decision as difficult while expressing pride in what the Yorkdale team built over nearly twenty years.
“While it’s always difficult to close a restaurant, we remain proud of our team’s role in creating memorable experiences for those who have visited our long-standing Yorkdale location,” Forrester said. “This closure is not an end but a step toward our continued evolution, allowing us to focus on future growth opportunities. We are deeply grateful for the loyalty and support of our guests.”
She also recognized the contributions of employees who helped define the location’s identity and guest experience over the years. “We’d also like to take this moment to share our sincere gratitude to the many team members, both past and present, who have provided our guests with the premium hospitality Moxies is known for. Together, we’ve built something exceptional and carry that spirit into our next chapter. We hope that everyone will have the chance to join us for one last time before we finish our final service on January 17, 2026.”
Yorkdale’s Evolution Shapes the Retail and Dining Landscape
The Moxies Yorkdale closure comes against the backdrop of Yorkdale Shopping Centre’s repositioning as a luxury and lifestyle destination. Since 2012, the mall has completed three major expansions that reshaped its tenant mix and physical footprint. These projects included the Holt Renfrew expansion and new fashion wing completed in 2012 and 2013, a then-Nordstrom-anchored wing that opened in October 2016, and the RH Gallery–anchored westward expansion that debuted in 2017.
Collectively, these developments added hundreds of thousands of square feet and attracted a growing concentration of luxury, contemporary, and experiential brands. As Yorkdale’s retail profile has shifted, so too has the competitive context for food and beverage operators within the property. The departure of a long-standing tenant such as Moxies reflects the ongoing recalibration that occurs as leading malls refine their merchandising strategies and spatial priorities.
Yorkdale continues to transform with new luxury retailers opening stores, as well as a La Maison Simons that opened in the mall’s former Nordstrom space in the fall of 2025.
Continued Strength Across Ontario and Beyond
Despite the Yorkdale closure, Moxies remains firmly committed to the Ontario market. The brand continues to operate nineteen other locations across the province, offering guests its signature menu of fresh, handcrafted dishes alongside a full bar and seasonally inspired cocktails. The company confirmed that guests can continue to expect the same elevated yet approachable dining experience across its remaining restaurants.
Looking ahead, 2026 will also see the reopening of Moxies Barrie in a new location at Park Place. The move signals continued investment in high-quality spaces and reinforces the company’s broader strategy of refining its footprint rather than retreating from key markets.
A Canadian Brand with a Broader Vision
Founded in Calgary in 1986 as a single deli-style diner, Moxies has grown into a premium casual restaurant chain with more than 50 locations across Canada and additional units in the United States. The brand is part of the family-owned Northland Properties Corporation, whose portfolio spans restaurants, hotels, resorts, and mixed-use developments across North America.
Over the past several years, Moxies has undertaken a series of “foundational improvements,” refreshing restaurant designs, evolving its culinary program, and repositioning the brand to compete in an increasingly crowded upscale casual dining segment. While Canada remains its core market, the company has continued to pursue measured expansion in select US metropolitan areas.
End of an era. First date with my wife happened here, and our first kid almost joined the party right in the dining room when her water broke at dinner. Yorkdale won’t be the same without these core memories. 🥂👶