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Forever 21 is calling it quits (round two)

If you usually hit up the mall on the weekends, you’re gonna want to plan a trip down Portage pretty quick here because two huge staple stores are throwing in the towel, and it's happening fast.

Shout out to the Winnipeg Free Press for originally breaking the scoop on this—it feels like the mall lineup changes every time you turn around, but this is a pretty big shakeup. Here’s the deal on what’s closing, what’s coming, and how much time you have left to hunt through the clearance racks.

So, Forever 21 is wrapping things up again. According to the Free Press report, their final day is looking like July 12, and they’re already doing the whole storewide liquidation thing. It feels like just yesterday they did that massive exit from Canada back in 2019, only to buy their way back into our hearts a few years later. Guess the Polo Park run just didn't stick this time.

Thriftys is moving in

But hey, the space isn’t just going to sit there under a giant sheet of drywall for months. Thriftys is moving right into that exact spot. They’re aiming to open around July 22, so a super quick turnaround.

The actually good news here—and I was honestly relieved to hear this—is that since Forever 21 and Thriftys are owned by the same massive parent company (YM Inc.), the staff are being offered transfers to the new store or other spots they own. At least our local retail folks aren't just getting left out in the cold, which is a massive win.

This one hurts a bit for the affordable jeans department: Bluenotes is also leaving Polo. They’ve got a little more time left on the clock than Forever 21, with their doors staying open until about July 27.

It’s definitely a bummer to lose a reliable, casual spot, but hey, you've still got a few weeks to pop in, cruise the clearance section, and see if you can score some cheap hoodies or whatever before they lock the gates for good.

The “Don't Forget” Timeline

Because honestly, who can keep track of July schedules when it's finally nice outside?

  • Right Now: Forever 21 closing sales are fully happening.
  • July 12: Forever 21's expected final day.
  • July 22: Thriftys opens up in the old F21 space.
  • July 27: Bluenotes calls it a day.

It’s always weird when the mall changes layout, but losing two spots at once definitely ruins the usual routine. If you want to grab some cheap stuff or just see the stores one last time, fight the parking lot traffic and get down there before mid-month!

[spacer height=”40px” id=”3″] Upcoming Events

15 July 2026

2026 Winnipeg Fringe Festival at Old Market Square

Don't miss the epic 12-day Winnipeg Fringe Festival at Old Market Square (July 17-28, 2024) in Winnipeg's Exchange District! Free outdoor entertainment includes live music, street performers, food trucks, and artisan vendors. Catch lunchtime concerts or dance to bands from 8 pm to midnight. Public washrooms, ATMs, and a beer tent are available for your convenience. While entry is free, consider tipping the performers!

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Old Market Square, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
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24 July 2026

Crave Nite Festival

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 Find What You Crave Presented by Alark Co. | Summer 2026 Experience a reimagined

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The Forks, FORKS MARKET RD
Winnipeg, R3C 4L9 CA
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24 July 2026

Manitoba Sunflower Festival

PHN0eWxlPgouc2VjdGlvbiB7CiAgYmFja2dyb3VuZDogI0YwRkZGRjsKICBwYWRkaW5nOiAyNHB4OyAvKiBpbm5lciBwYWRkaW5nICovCiAgbWFyZ2luLWJvdHRvbTogNTBweDsKICBib3JkZXItbGVmdDogNHB4IHNvbGlkICMzNDk4ZGI7IC8qIGJsdWUgYWNjZW50ICovCiAgYm94LXNoYWRvdzogMCAxcHggNXB4IHJnYmEoMCwwLDAsMC4xKTsKICBib3JkZXItcmFkaXVzOiA2cHg7CiAgbWF4LXdpZHRoOiA3MDBweDsKICBtYXJnaW4tbGVmdDogYXV0bzsKICBtYXJnaW4tcmlnaHQ6IGF1dG87Cn0KCi5zZWN0aW9uLXRpdGxlIHsKICBmb250LXNpemU6IDEuM2VtOwogIGZvbnQtd2VpZ2h0OiBib2xkOwogIGNvbG9yOiAjMmMzZTUwOwogIG1hcmdpbi1ib3R0b206IDE0cHg7Cn0KCi5zZWN0aW9uIHAgewogIHRleHQtYWxpZ246IGxlZnQ7IC8qIEZJWDogcHJldmVudHMgbGFyZ2Ugd29yZCBzcGFjaW5nICovCiAgbWFyZ2luLXRvcDogMTJweDsKICBtYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tOiAxNHB4OwogIGxpbmUtaGVpZ2h0OiAxLjk7IC8qIHJlYWRhYmxlIHNwYWNpbmcgKi8KfQoKLmZ1c2lvbi1idXR0b24gewogIG1hcmdpbi10b3A6IDE2cHg7CiAgZGlzcGxheTogaW5saW5lLWJsb2NrOwp9Cgo8L3N0eWxlPg== Thursday & Friday Thursday 6:00pm – Festival Kick Off BBQ for Community sponsored by

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Altona Centennial Park, 227 10th Ave. NW
Altona, Manitoba R0G0B0 Canada
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24 July 2026

Weekend Round-Up: 10+ Free Events in Winnipeg. July 24-26

A list of free things to do in Winnipeg during the weekend including activities for the family, live music, arts, movies, and more.

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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
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25 July 2026

2026 Casinos of Winnipeg Folklorama Kick-Off

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26 July 2026

Open Corydon – Little Italy

Spend your Sunday exploring Open Corydon – Little Italy, where Corydon Avenue becomes a pedestrian-only destination filled with restaurant patios, local shops, public art, live music, and free summer fun from July 5 to September 6.

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Corydon Avenue, Corydon Avenue between Lilac St and Daly St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
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27 July 2026

Purple Room Open Mic at The Cube

**Excerpt:**

Enjoy free live entertainment every Monday this summer at the Purple Room Open Mic at The Cube in Old Market Square. Watch local musicians, poets, comedians, and dancers perform—or take the stage yourself in this welcoming community event.

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The Cube Stage (Old Market Square), 124 King Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1H9
Winnipeg, R3B 1H9 CA
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28 July 2026

Free Family Fun at Assiniboia Downs

**Excerpt:**

Enjoy **Family Fun Nights at Assiniboia Downs** with free admission, bouncy castles, face painting, live children's entertainment, and exciting thoroughbred racing. Join the fun every Tuesday in July and August, plus Manitoba Derby Night on August 3, for a memorable family evening in Winnipeg.

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Assiniboia Downs, 3975 Portage Ave.
Winnipeg, R3K 2E9 CA
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28 July 2026

Bachata Nights inthe Park

Looking for free outdoor dancing in Winnipeg? Bachata Nights in the Park returns to Cargo Bar at Assiniboine Park every Tuesday in July and August with live DJs, free dance lessons, and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

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29 July 2026

WAG Wednesday Nights

WAG Wednesday Nights offers free admission every Wednesday evening from 5:00–9:00 PM at WAG-Qaumajuq, starting January 2026, with live music, interactive activities, and rotating cultural programming in the heart of downtown Winnipeg.

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Qaumajuq – Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
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