B.C. customers are expressing sadness and disbelief as Hudson's Bay (HBC), one of Canada鈥檚 oldest and most iconic retailers, begins its liquidation process.
The department store chain, originally established in 1670, reported experiencing significant challenges, including reduced consumer spending, trade tensions between Canada and the U.S, and a decline in foot traffic following the pandemic.
For many, the closure represents more than just the loss of a store 鈥� it鈥檚 the end of a legacy that has been intertwined with Canadian history for centuries.
HBC first arrived playing a crucial role in the region鈥檚 early development. The Lekwungen people lived in villages along the Island鈥檚 southeast coast, hunting, fishing, and gathering berries.
When the Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company steamship Beaver arrived in Victoria鈥檚 Inner Harbour, the Lekwungen assisted with the fort's construction and supplied the new arrivals with food and firewood in exchange for blankets. The Lekwungen received one HBC blanket for every 40 cedar logs supplied.
Now, after filing for creditor protection, HBC is shutting most of its locations, marking a significant shift in the country鈥檚 retail landscape. HBC aims to complete the liquidation by June 15, with all locations vacated by June 30.
Jonathan Vanaldino, a longtime shopper, shared his mixed emotions about the Victoria store鈥檚 impending closure.
"Honestly, it just feels weird to come in here and see so many empty shelves," Vanaldino said. "My parents used to bring me here for back-to-school shopping. Every time I came into the store, it reminded me of those childhood trips. I guess losing something tied to a fond memory brings up some weird emotions."
For Beatrice White, the closure marks the end of a long-standing routine.
"I鈥檓 devastated to lose a place I鈥檝e visited so many times. I always came here on a rainy day when I wanted to walk around the mall and stretch my legs 鈥� not that I can鈥檛 still do that, but it was always fun to meet up with friends and window-shop," White said.
Collin Quinn echoed the sentiments of many shoppers, describing the store鈥檚 current state as eerie.
"How weird is this? It feels like we鈥檙e walking through a post-apocalyptic scene. No one is working, items are out of place, and this is just the beginning. When this is all over, we鈥檒l be losing an iconic Canadian store," Quinn said. "I really hope that whatever business replaces it in Victoria is Canadian, especially with everything going on right now."
The closure affects 80 stores across Canada, as well as three Saks Fifth Avenue stores and 13 Saks Off 5th locations, which HBC operates under a licensing agreement.
While most locations will close, six will remain open for now: three in the Greater Toronto area, and three in the Montreal area.
With over 9,000 jobs at risk, the end of HBC as Canadians have known it signals not just the loss of a retailer, but the end of an era in the country鈥檚 shopping landscape.
