Former Talize store on Exmouth Street remains empty months after closure

Former Talize store at 1330 Exmouth Street remains vacant after the Canadian thrift retailer closed its Sarnia location in February 2026.

The former Talize store at 1330 Exmouth Street remains vacant months after the thrift retailer closed its Sarnia location, leaving another large-format retail space sitting empty along one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors.

Talize opened in Sarnia on Aug. 10, 2023, with a highly promoted grand opening that positioned the Canadian thrift retailer as a new destination for sustainable fashion, affordable second-hand goods and donation drop-offs.

The store operated for about two and a half years before closing on Feb. 6, 2026.

A notice posted on the door thanked customers for their support during the store’s time in Sarnia.

“Please note that the Sarnia store will be closing on Feb. 6, after proudly serving the community for several years,” the sign read. “We would like to sincerely thank all of our customers for the support, loyalty, and trust you have shown us throughout our time in Sarnia.”

The Exmouth Street location has a long retail history in Sarnia. Before Talize moved in, the building had been home to Price Chopper, and prior to that, operated as a Sobeys grocery store.

When Talize announced its arrival in 2023, the company said it was excited to join the Sarnia community and bring its thrift model to the city. At the time, promotional material described the store as Talize’s 13th location, with the company already operating stores across Ontario and British Columbia.

The opening was marketed around sustainable shopping, lower-cost fashion and keeping gently used clothing, household items, books, toys, electronics and other goods out of landfills. The Sarnia store also included an on-site donation centre, allowing customers to drop off items and receive coupons toward future purchases.

Now, the large storefront sits quiet.

Its vacancy adds to an ongoing concern in Sarnia about the future of big-box and mid-sized commercial spaces as retailers close, relocate, or adjust to shifting consumer habits. Buildings that once housed grocery stores or large retail operations can be difficult to refill quickly, particularly when they require a tenant with enough space needs, parking demand, and customer traffic to justify the footprint.

No new tenant has been announced for the former Talize location.