9 Iconic Zellers Features That Absolutely Must Come Back When The Store Returns In 2023

The restaurant

For now, there are no signs that the classic Zellers restaurant is going to make a comeback alongside the new stores.

The retro resto was previously nowhere to be found during a pop-up in Ontario and there has been no mention of reviving the fan-favourite restaurant just yet.

However, that doesn't mean it's never going to happen!

The Zeddy Wheel

Arguably one of the chain's most nostalgic features, the Zeddy Wheel is a firm favourite among fans of the retailer.

It seemed a lot bigger and more exciting when you were five, eh?

Sadly, there was no sighting of this ride at the 2021 pop-up and it's probably won't be a very convenient addition to the upgraded stores in 2023, either. Boo!

The old merch

Upon hearing the news that Zellers was making a mini-comeback in 2021, some fans took to Twitter to talk about the best merch from the store's glory days.

"What is the point of a Zellers Pop-Up with no actual Zellers merch?! I can get a Cuisinart Blender on Amazon!" one person wrote.

Another added, "Zellers hasn't come back until they're once more selling Commodore 64s, BUM Equipment sweatshirts, and transparent touchtone phones. 1985-1992 Zellers or nothing!"

The diner

There's been no mention yet of the once-famous Zellers diner — which real ones will know was different to the restaurant.

It remains unclear whether you'll be able to grab a snack while shopping in the new versions of the store, but bringing the diner back would be a sure win for many retro Zellers fans.

"Look, if they're not [bringing] back the Zellers diner, I want no part of this nonsense," wrote one Twitter user last year.

The food

Without plans for the diner or the restaurant to make it comeback, it would be unlikely that the food would be returning to its former glory days. But, never say never!

Although maybe we could live without these classic Zellers meals.

Discussing the intangible taste of the Zellers hot chicken sandwich, one Twitter user previously said, "You can get something similar at Swiss Chalet, but just doesn't taste the same as the Zellers diner. I don't know if it's the ingredients or the haze wafting over from the restaurant's smoking section…"

Club Z

Diehard shoppers will remember (and possibly still have!) their Club Z plastic card.

The Zellers Club Z points program, which rewarded regular shoppers for spending, is unsurprisingly no longer active. The classic cards aren't available anymore, either.

This could change in the future, though!

The mascot

The Zellers comeback 2.0 will be great news for anybody who has a special place in their heart for Zeddy Teddy.

However, the furry face of the store may already be long gone.

The mascot, who was a symbol of the brand for years, was actually adopted by Camp Trillium after Zellers' final facebook campaign "EVERYTHING MUST GO!"

This was the end of a nearly 30-year era and Zeddy hasn't made any sort of reappearance just yet.

Come back, Zeddy!

The intercom

Unfortunately for nostalgia lovers, the original intercom that welcomed shoppers to each store has not been confirmed yet, either.

Being welcomed to a store inside another store could make things pretty confusing, but we hope this classic staple will make a return with Zellers.

The classic ambiance

Ah, that je ne sais quoi!

"They can try to bring back #Zellers but it won't be the same unless the carpet floor is stained and has random toys and clothes thrown across the isles," wrote one fan online in 2021.

As impressive as the new stores may be, it will remain to be seen whether they have that nostalgic, classic, old-school, inexplicable Zellers vibe.

Only time will tell!