First part of Elliot Lake's new mall opens — and shoppers are pleased

Morning North5:19Reaction in Elliot Lake to opening of first part of new mall

People in in Elliot Lake finally have a new place to shop four years after the fatal Algo Centre Mall collapse. The CBC's Olivia Stefanovich was at the opening of the new Foodland store and spoke to some of the people there.

People in Elliot Lake, Ont., are banking on the city's new mall to boost the economy.

The first store in the rebuilt shopping centre opened its doors last week. The event was marked nearly four years after a portion of the old Algo Centre Mall's rooftop garage caved in and killed two people.

Many businesses and residents left the city after the tragedy.

But some people, like Scott Davison, moved in. He said he's optimistic about the city's future.

"By rebuilding, it is going to be a new era for the town and, especially when the mall reopens, it's going to bring more business to the town," he said.

"[It will] stop people from going into [places like] Espanola. [The new mall will] save time and money [and be a place] where they can shop local and bring more money into the community."

The rest of the new mall is slated to open this summer.

Elliot Lake's economy has been struggling ever since the Algo Centre Mall collapsed.

Thelma Astley, while sitting outside the first store in Elliot Lake's new shopping centre, showed off her full cart and big smile.

"We have been waiting for this since the mall collapsed."

Inside the store, customer Maurice Newell roamed the aisles.

He said he's happy to have a new place to socialize and shop because the past four years have been difficult.

"They always say shop at home here — but how can you when you're so limited? So now I think things are very much improved," Newell said.

'A hub for the community'

Mayor Dan Marchisella told CBC News he hopes the community can keep up the optimism.

He said too many people felt hopeless after the mall collapse. 

"So this being the first portion of the new shopping centre is a new era for Elliot Lake."

Marchisella said the new era is a time for growth. He said there are new developments planned for the city that should bring more jobs and people into the community — although he wouldn't divulge specifics.

Paul Kazulak, Elliot Lake photographer and electrician who worked on the Foodland building, said the new mall is "a hub for the community and especially the retirees. It's easier for them to do their shopping and what they need to do inside rather than inside, especially in the winter time."

Long-time Elliot Lake Foodland cashier Aileen White, who has worked at the stored long before the mall collapsed, said she is confident "good things will happen once again. I've been here for a long time. I've seen it go up and down."