The Eaton Centre will be open for business 364 days in 2013, including on Easter Sunday, one of the most sacred days in the Christian calendar.
The centre will remain closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
It will be open on Easter Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.
“Given the multicultural nature of the city of Toronto, many view the current religious holidays as secular,” said Meredith Vlitas, senior marketing director of the Toronto Eaton Centre.
She said the decision to remain open on Easter Sunday was made after extensive consumer research and consultation with tenants.
“We really wanted to make sure that we had a very clear opinion from Cadillac Fairview customers and tenants,” said Vlitas.
The announcement comes on the heels of a recent city staff report recommending that Toronto retailers be permitted to open for business from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on four statutory holidays, namely Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day and Thanksgiving Day.
Toronto has had the power to set shopping hours since 2006. The Eaton Centre is one of several designated tourist destinations that can remain open on those days.
In recent years, the city has been lobbied by mall operators who argue they are at a disadvantage because malls in neighbouring cities can be open.
Vlitas said tenants have been notified that anyone who works the Easter Sunday holiday must receive public holiday pay.
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