Grand and Toy closes its stores after 132 years

Well, it’s the end of an era—or rather, several eras. After 132 years of meeting Torontonians’ various stationery needs, Grand and Toy is closing its few remaining Canadian stores and turning into an online-only office-supply shop. “Our customers overwhelmingly prefer an online experience because it offers more products, a constantly growing selection and convenient door-to-door delivery,” said general manager Simon Finch in a recent release. The company opened its first retail store in Toronto in 1883, and has been supplying the city with Bristol board, Trapper Keepers and other school-year essentials ever since. (Or until a few years ago, at least, when the stationer began repositioning itself as a straight-laced, Staples-style business, rather than a go-to place for pipe cleaners and Podge.) According to the Star, the shops will start closing in the next few months.