The iconic Hudson's Bay Company holds many memories for Canadians over its 355 years of business. I was sad when Eatons closed, even sadder when Sears and the Christmas Wish Book ended. Still, the closing of all but 6 stores for this historic Canadian business is simply devastating and heartbreaking.
There will be three in Toronto, Ontario, and three in Quebec. The West will not have any HBCs left.
These photos are of the Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Calgary, Alberta Hudson Bay Stores, which are historic and have architecture not seen in today's buildings.
I believe the right marketing could have saved Hudson's Bay. Their buyers are out of touch with today's lifestyles with too much high-end ugly clothing. The Bay should reduce the number of stores with each remaining store having an area dedicated to the History of Hudson's Bay and draw in tourism dollars by showcasing historic memorabilia and selling items and books and their famous striped blankets OR have small touristy-historical
shops specializing in Hudson's Bay winter gear, point blankets, coats, hats, etc.
The Hudson's Bay Company is deeply entrenched in Canadian history. In 1670 the Hudson's Bay Company was granted a right of sole trade commerce over Rupert's Land where the first Trading Posts were built.
On March 20th, 1869 the Government of Canada purchased Rupert's Land from a very reluctant Hudson's Bay Company for only 1.5 million dollars and gave HBC a rent agreement. The rent agreement would consist of payment of 2 Elk and 2 Black Beavers to any sovereign that may someday visit.
The Hudson's Bay Company used a prime Beaver pelt as a standard unit of value for trade. All goods were priced in terms of Made Beavers and later brass tokens representing that Made Beaver value.
Most of the Hudson's Bay Trading Posts are historical sites today but you can visit Heritage Park in Calgary to see a replica of the second Fur Trading Fort built in 1835 in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada.
I hope a way is found to save more of this incredible business, a huge piece of our Canadian History.