Shoppers look for iconic striped merchandise as Hudson’s Bay begins liquidation at six remaining stores

Hudson’s Bay started selling off all merchandise on Friday at the six stores previously spared from liquidation.

Among those now joining the liquidation are Montreal’s flagship on Ste-Catherine, Carrefour Laval mall, and Fairview Pointe-Claire – with up to 70 per cent off.

At the Bay in downtown Montreal, shelves were empty and remaining items were marked down, including famed Hudson’s Bay striped products like blankets, which many shoppers were after.

“My wife asked me to try to pick up an iconic Hudson Bay mug with the colors and all gone. So it was one of the first things to go, I understand. So if anybody out there has a mug, you could save my marriage and send it my way,” said a visitor from Halifax.

Another saying, “Because it’s iconic. We were looking for Hudson’s Bay coffee mugs or a blanket. But it should be an election issue. This is a big moment in Canadian commercial history that we’re losing this institution.”

“We have a store in Halifax. It’s obviously going through liquidation today too. A little sad,” said one shopper.

Another saying, “I live in Ontario and went to McGill 30 years ago. So just here to pick up my son who’s finishing for the year. So I just thought I’d come back one more time.”

Hudson’s Bay received court permission last month to liquidate 90 of its 96 Bay, Saks, and Saks Off Fifth stores by mid-June, while it hunts for investors or buyers that could restructure or maintain the business.

If a bid for the stores is received that keeps them alive, the financial adviser’s court filing says Hudson’s Bay retains the right to remove them from the liquidation process.