Simpsons-Sears was built as an anchor for a mall located between the two cities, across the river (which has since been expanded and re-routed as part of a flood prevention system for Fort William's east end) from the CLE, the grounds of which is largely occupied by a cinema (the only one in the city). The racetrack was gone by the time I was born. That mall, being the only real mall in the region, does quite well, with low vacancy rates and high customer volumes. It's pushing the limits of its property so parking is a pain in the ass sometimes, they have parking lots across and up the street for busy days.
I don't recall there ever being a Bay here, other than the actual Fort itself being a Hudson Bay trading post. The building they traded furs in after the fort closed is still standing on Simpson Street, but most of what stood on this street when you lived here is long gone.
Speaking of malls, there was one built not too far from your sister's old house in the late 1960s, its still around but like most malls, not very thriving.
Chapples closed in 1981 after a fire. If you want more pessimism, check out this article about Victoriaville Mall:
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/opin...ff2156934.html