MUJI store in Metrotown opening this summer

Metro Vancouver’s first MUJI store will open this summer at Metropolis in Metrotown shopping centre, the company announced Monday.

The ground-level location will have 7,770 square feet of retail space, making it Canada’s largest MUJI store. In contrast, MUJI’s other stores in Toronto are between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet.

No precise opening date has been confirmed as it is dependent on the store construction schedule, but the company says it is planning for a summer opening.

“Since we opened our first store in Canada in 2014, we received many requests from Vancouver and we know that people have been waiting for us,” says Toru Akita, president of MUJI Canada.

“We prepared carefully in order to meet expectations. We are extremely excited to finally bring MUJI to Western Canada. While we know we already have fans in Vancouver, we hope to also share our philosophy with people who don’t know us yet.”

The Japanese clothing and housing goods retailer first announced its plans to open two new stores in the Metro Vancouver market early this year.

By the end of the year, a second location is expected to open on Robson Street in downtown Vancouver, taking over a large streetfront retail space long held by the Gap.

Another renowned Japanese brand, UNIQLO, will also be making its first steps into the Metro Vancouver market by opening a store at Metropolis at Metrotown in fall 2017.

A 20,000-square-foot, two-level store will be located by the shopping centre’s main atrium, replacing several retail units including Home Outfitters.