The Bay’s Last Day

Last weekend, after more than 350 years in business, the Hudson’s Bay Company closed its doors for the final time. The legendary Canadian brand had been liquidating its inventory since filing for creditor protection in March. HBC brass have cited dwindling foot traffic, post-pandemic struggles and Donald Trump’s trade war as the key perpetrators behind the collapse. Billionaire Ruby Liu, chair of Vancouver mall corporation Central Walk, has since gobbled up the leases to 28 stores across the country, but it’s not known whether Toronto’s flagship was included in the deal. The site today sits cold—its displays along Queen empty, its walls no longer layered with its famous stripes. Here, a photographic tour of the Bay’s last day.

Related: A billionaire from China now owns 28 Hudson’s Bay leases. But what about the Toronto flagship?

The closure of 80 HBC stores as well as 16 Saks locations resulted in more than 8,300 workers losing their jobs.

Roughly 1,000 remaining staff are working for two final weeks, helping customers pick up pre-purchased furniture and fixtures.

Bargain hunters scoured the Bay’s shelves, with some items up to 90 per cent off.

Even the mannequins had to go—at $50 a pop.

A buffet for those with a thing for hangers.

In 2013, the Hudson’s Bay Company bought American luxury retailer Saks, operator of Saks Fifth Avenue, for $2.9 billion (US).

Founded in 1670 as a fur-trading enterprise, Hudson’s Bay was the oldest continually operating company in the world.

BC-based billionaire Ruby Liu plans to take over 28 of Hudson’s Bay’s building leases.

Canadian Tire is in the process of buying HBC’s logo, stripes and coat of arms in a $30-million deal.

The Bay’s shutdown marks the latest in a string of department store collapses, following the demise of Sears Canada, Target and Nordstrom.

Hudson’s Bay opened its Queen Street flagship in 1991, replacing the former Simpsons department store.

The location at Yonge and Queen occupied nearly 676,000 square feet.

One final walk past the checkout and the displays on the way to the exit.