BYE, BYE TO THE BAY, WE KNEW THEE WELL WHEN YOU WERE AS CANADA PROUD AS WE ARE TODAY

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BARRIE — Buy Canadian turned in to buy, trade and sell yesterday as The Hudson’s Bay liquidates most of its stores including Barrie.

A visit to the iconic chain location at the Georgian Mall on Bayfield Street hints at why.

Since opening in 1999 (1,400 kms south of Hudson Bay) it been a great go-to shopping centre for Central Ontario buyers with a proud Canadian bent. Not always the best — it’s had it’s ups and down — but generally trustworthy for above market clothing and goods that were more dependable and durable.

Bit like Simpsons and Eatons. But not Zellers and certainly not Target.

The icon white blanket with the red, green and blue stripes was a staple in many Canadian home.

Now alas no more, it may appear.

Going, going and soon gone by the end of June. That’s The Bay in Barrie, a Canadian and Central Ontario staple for dependable, durable goods for 26 years. Photos Mark Clairmont

When news spread of its pending demise the past week shoppers made a goose line there looking for early sales.

One devoted customer’s theory had it best to shop now for the “goods,” rather than wait till Monday when saleables will be ripped apart, shelves displaying only odds and sods.

First impression? A midweek parking lot half empty.

And two signs: “Caution Broken Door” and “Accessibility Door Out of Service.”

Alas one door slid open laying bare the calm of an approaching court storm the next day.

To the right half-opened boxes of winter boots scattered on a collapsing shelf, the remnants of a busy previous day and looking like an Honest Ed’s hurricane passed through.

Finding a snow shoe was like Henry Hudson searching for the Northwest Passage.

The Bay’s collapse is easy to see and find as box loads of snow shoes are being picked through and sold off faster than the iconic Canadian department store.

Cashing out was more difficult than selling out.

“Sorry, this is for lingerie sales only,” said the helpless employee at an empty till. “Try the ones over there” waved the hand at the end of the voice.

Perhaps a courier de bois’s hunt for mukluks would haven taken him to Moosonee and James Bay faster by dog sled.

Swipe the stripe? Hopefully helpfully.

A couple of “sorry, computer’s down” tills did, however, lead to one friendly worker.

Any questions today about the end of The Bay’s days, I enquired?

“No. And I have no answers anyway,” the older sales attendant politely replied.

Good answer.

How long have you worked here? “Twenty-six years after it was a K-Mart.”

Is The Bay unionized? “Yes.”

Do you have a pension? “Yes, I bought in to it years ago, but others don’t.”

How do you feel about The Bay closing? Will you be sad to cash out without a severance?

“I’m 70 and I’d still like to work.”

Sale done: “Next in line.”

Show me and her the door.

I can’t wait to get out — so I can come back next week.

When maybe the doors will be fixed. What do you think?

At one time having a white red, green and blue blanket on your bed – or back – meant you were as Canadian as it got.
Today Giant Tiger, another great but much smaller Canadian company, is standing up to take part of its place as another survivor of the competitive world of consumerism. They may not be as old as Canada or The Bay, but they’re just as patriotic. And worthy of buying Canadian and not selling it out.

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