End of an era: Hudson’s Bay to close downtown Montreal store on June 1

The iconic Hudson’s Bay store in downtown Montreal is closing its doors for good this weekend, marking the end of a long chapter in Canadian retail history.

Shoppers gathered in the nearly empty flagship location on Ste-Catherine Street for one last visit — not so much for the final liquidation deals, but to say goodbye to a place that held meaning for generations.

The store will officially close on Sunday, June 1. A total of 8,300 employees will be laid off as a result. Another 900 are expected to lose their jobs when the company’s distribution centres shut down on June 15.

For some, the closure feels personal.

“I was a frequent shopper of the Bay. I’m very sad that it’s closing. It’s a big part of Canadian history,” said Victoria Goodwin Duncan, who was visiting Montreal from Hamilton, Ont.

“So sad that it’s closing. I really think we’re all going to miss it,” she added.

Duncan said she didn’t come looking for a deal.

“I just want to be part of the last history of the Bay before it closes,” she said.

Her friend, Linda Beckem, echoed those feelings.

“We’re going to miss the Bay. We really are going to miss coming into this store. It was always a comfortable place, especially for women our age,” she said.

“We found what we were looking for. It was always a great bargain. You could always use your coupons and your Bay card, charge card. And I guess that’s a sort of a dying institution now.”

Beckem said she had been shopping at the store for over 50 years.

“Great selection, reasonable prices, great return policy, comfort — and everything you’re looking for.”

Silvio Gasbarrino, another long-time customer, said the visit felt bittersweet.

“I know what they’re about to close. And so it’s actually depressing,” he said. “It feels like a garage sale.”

He wasn’t hoping to find anything specific. “I just wanted to see,” he said.

“My wife had me buy some bedsheets. And I think I picked up a couple of books because I liked them and that was it.”

Gasbarrino added, “It’s been an institution in this country forever. And here, it’s sad to see it disappear. I mean, I know the brand will still be around, but it’s not the same.”

Claudette Pitre also shared her sadness. “I came here for the last 80 years, so there’s nothing left. It’s so sad. Very, very sad,” she said.