An Exclusive Insider’s Scoop on How to Explore St. Vital Centre
I remember my first time walking into Winnipeg’s St. Vital Centre—it was night, and I was thoroughly impressed with its lovely, well-lit wood, metal, and glass entrance.
Inside, the place felt huge and a little confusing to navigate at first, with so many stores branching off in different directions. I must’ve wandered around for a solid half hour before I found the food court!
But honestly, that’s part of St. Vital Mall’s charm—while getting lost, I had fun browsing its huge variety of shops, from big-name brands to kitschy little spots. Now, it has become one of my fave places to shop or grab a coffee (most of the time, both!).
That’s why I put together this guide—to help you explore this space like a pro and learn to love everything it has to offer. Here’s our definitive guide to the always charming St. Vital Centre.
Where is St. Vital Centre?
St. Vital Centre is located in the St. Vital neighborhood of south Winnipeg, right along St. Mary’s Road near Bishop Grandin Boulevard. It’s easily accessible from major routes like the Perimeter Highway and Highway 59.
How to Get to St. Vital Centre
By Bus:
Winnipeg Transit’s Route 16 (Selkirk-Osborne) provides direct service to St. Vital Centre. This route operates daily, with a stop at the St. Vital Centre Terminal.
Additionally, several other bus routes serve the area, including Routes 14, 55, 93, 96, and 676, all stopping at or near the terminal.
By Car:
Head to 1225 St. Mary’s Road, located near the intersection of Bishop Grandin Boulevard. If you’re coming from the Perimeter highway, take the exit for St. Mary’s Road and follow the signs to the mall.
Alternatively, if you’re coming from Highway 59, take the St. Mary’s Road exit and head south. There’s plenty of parking at the mall (4,661 spots to be exact!).
By Bike:
Cyclists can easily access St. Vital Centre via the South St. Vital Trail, which connects St. Mary’s Road to St. Anne’s Road. It also serves as a commuter route through the St. Vital suburbs.
Make sure to bring a sturdy lock and check with mall security for designated and safe bike parking areas.
By Walking:
If you’re in surrounding neighborhoods, walking to St. Vital Centre is feasible via sidewalks along St. Mary’s Road and Meadowood Drive. The area is pedestrian-friendly with crosswalks and signals at major intersections.
For scenic routes, consider using the South St. Vital Trail, which offers a pleasant walking path connecting various parts of the St. Vital area.
Best Time to Visit St. Vital Centre
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The best time to visit St. Vital Centre is on weekday mornings or early afternoons for fewer crowds. However, for great deals, hit it during Black Friday or the holiday season, from late November through December.
Things to Know about St. Vital Centre
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History
St. Vital Centre has been a shopping staple in Winnipeg since opening on October 17, 1979. Back then, it launched with some serious heavy hitters—Eaton’s, The Bay, and Woolco were the original anchor tenants.
It went through a big $10 million glow-up in 2012, where its floors, ceilings, walls, and lighting were revamped. Now, it boasts about 160 stores—you’ll find shops like Old Hudson’s Bay and Walmart Supercentre, as well as eateries like McDonald’s and Earls.
Opening Hours
St Vital Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 10 AM to 9 PM, Saturdays from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sundays from 11 AM to 6 PM. Some stores might run on different hours, so I recommend checking the mall’s store directory before you go.
Accessibility
St Vital Centre has wheelchair-accessible washrooms by the Food Hall next to Tim Hortons and near London Drugs by Sushi Gozen and Union Insurance. The one near London Drugs features an adult accessibility lift and change station.
Plus, the Customer Service desk has wheelchairs and walkers available on a first-come, first-served basis. Just make sure to bring a government-issued ID to borrow one.
Family-Friendly Perks
There are family washrooms and baby-changing stations placed near the Food Hall and near London Drugs. You can also grab a stroller for $5 or a double for $7 from the self-serve Smarte Cart system at Entrance 4, across from Lesncrafters.
As a bonus, there’s a Play Park across from Customer Service—just don’t forget your socks! The Play Park closes daily from 3 PM to 3:30 PM for a quick clean.
Sustainability Efforts
We like that St Vital Centre is eco-friendly, with upgrades like low-flow, hands-free fixtures and LED lighting everywhere, plus smart systems that track energy use in real time. Even their waste removal is eco-smart, only hauling bins when they’re full.
They also run mall-wide recycling, composting in tenant spaces, and special events like Green With Love to collect hard-to-recycle items. And the cleaning crews even use a system that keeps millions of liters of toxic chemicals out of the environment monthly.
What to Do in St. Vital Centre
Snag a new wardrobe
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St. Vital Centre is a go-to spot in Winnipeg for fashion lovers. Popular retailers include Marshalls, Hudson’s Bay, and Mark’s, providing everything from formal wear to casual outfits.
For trendy and affordable fashion, visit Ardene, Garage, and Tip Top, and for activewear, we recommend Sports Chek and Urban Trail. As for accessories, you can find cool jewelry at Pandora and Claire’s, and hats and scarves at Sanden.
Shop for cool tech gadgets
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St. Vital Centre’s Best Buy offers a wide selection of electronics, such as laptops, TVs, and gaming consoles, while Wireless Wave covers everything from mobile phones to accessories. Plus, the Phone Shop is your go-to for phone fixes and accessories.
Another popular electronics retail store is Fido, offering high-tech handsets and accessories for your remote work needs. And head to GameStop for new and recycled video games, consoles, and hardware, with trade-in options for gaming products.
Get stylish home decor
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I just love St. Vital Centre’s home furnishing options. Homesense is perfect for those seeking glam decor, affordable kitchenware, outdoor furnishings, and more, while QE Home offers luxurious, eco-friendly bedding designed by in-house experts.
For budget-friendly solutions, Walmart and Dollarama provide a range of home decor, furniture, and accessories. I go to these two if I feel like updating my space without breaking the bank—all I need is a mood board or a bookmarked Pinterest page!
Catch the latest flick
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For a fancy movie experience, head to SilverCity in St. Vital Centre, where you can catch the newest Hollywood hits and independent releases in comfy reclining seats. I love that it’s always clean here, with excellent sound and picture quality, too.
The cinema also offers a ton of family-friendly options, including a gaming section and birthday party packages, plus the bonus of 3D glasses. Of course, classic movie snacks like popcorn, candy, and crisps are also available.
Attend special activities and events
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St. Vital Centre regularly hosts exciting community events like the Children’s Hospital Book Marker, where shopping supports families and children in the hospital. There’s also Bike Safety Education, where you can learn about bike registration and road safety.
Don’t miss the Rotary Club’s Shredfest. Here, you can securely shred personal and business documents with a small donation, all while helping support Teenstop Jeunesse’s youth programs!
Register your child at the Kids Club
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The Kids Club at St. Vital Centre is an exclusive membership program for children 10 and under, with plenty of perks. Registered members get a membership card, discounts at participating retailers every Tuesday, and access to fun contests and events.
You’ll also receive email updates with the latest kids’ programs and offers. Once registered online, just pop over to the Customer Service desk near London Drugs to pick up your membership card.
Reserve a community booth
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If you’re part of a nonprofit club or charity, you can reserve the Community Booth at St. Vital Centre to promote your cause or sell raffle tickets. The booth can be reserved for 1 to 7 consecutive days, and each group is allowed one reservation per year.
To secure a booth, you should complete a request form at least 14 days in advance. The booth is available on a first-come, first-served basis and comes equipped with counter space, a locked cabinet, and electricity if needed.
Where to Eat in St. Vital Centre
Earls Kitchen + Bar
Website: https://www.earls.ca/locations/st-vital/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlsstv/
Address: 1215 St Mary’s Rd
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 11:30 AM – 12 AM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 1 AM
Sat – Sun: 11 AM – 1 AM
Contact: (204) 254-1600
When I’m feeling hungry at St. Vital Centre, I head over to Earls Kitchen + Bar for its lovely patio, perfect for sunny days, and free Wi-Fi. They also have free parking, and you can even subscribe to their newsletter for a chance to win a $250 gift card.
As for food, I always order the Tuna Poke Bowl, with fresh ingredients like mango, avocado, and sesame seaweed salad. Another crowd pleaser is their Roast Beef Sliders, with slow-cooked beef and jalapeno havarti.
St. Vital Centre’s Food Hall
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Website: https://stvitalcentre.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st-vital-mall-food-court/
Address: Food Hall, 1225 St Mary’s Rd, Entrance 3
Hours: Varies per food stall
Contact: (204) 257-4449
Another fave spot I dine in is at St. Vital Center’s Food Hall—perfect, especially if I’m in a hurry. You can grab teriyaki beef at Koya Japan, sushi at Umi Bento & Sushi, or tender Korean BBQ at Kim Chi.
Now, what could be better than fries if you’re just craving a light snack before dinner or after lunch? The Food Hall has two top-notch fries options: New York Fries for jumbo wedges and a variety of dips, or Potato Corner for some delicious flavored fries.
Where to Stay near St. Vital Centre
Best Western Plus Pembina Inn & Suites
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Website: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.63012.html
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/best-western-plus-pembina-inn-suites/
Address: 1714 Pembina Hwy
Hours: Check in: 3 PM
Check out: 11 AM
Contact: (204) 269-8888
Best Western Plus is located just an 8-minute drive away from St. Vital Centre. What’s cool is that it’s also near St. Vital Park, which has one of the best botanical gardens in Winnipeg!
After a day of adventure, you can relax in the saltwater pool or unwind in the hot tub while kids enjoy the water slide. I love that they’re a pet-friendly hotel and offer free Wi-Fi, express check-in/check-out, currency exchange services, and a 24-hour desk.