Last week's rumour became a reality on Monday.
Tenants at Highfield Square Mall in Moncton have been given verbal notice that the mall will be closing this fall.
Last week The Bay announced it would not be renewing its lease, which meant today's announcement was not much of a surprise for mall employees.
"(The) mall has gone down, no stores, not even a place to eat, three little restaurants," says mall employee Sandra Biseau.
Highfield Square Mall has long been considered the preferred location for a new downtown arena. However, city officials are saying it is too soon to say what will happen on that site.
"What we can say is there's no formal agreement signed with any stakeholders for a preferred site for a metro centre," says director of commercial business development Ben Champoux.
Spokesperson for Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville, Anne Poirer Basque, says something will have to come in to replace the mall if the downtown core wants to be a vibrant part of the city,
"When we hear redevelopment, it's good news, hoping it's tied in somehow with a civic centre," says Poirer Basque.
That announcement could take some time. For now, tenants are concerned with finding a new place to open shop, or to close their doors for good.
