In a profound shift marking the end of an era, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), North America's oldest corporation, is closing its 80 department stores across Canada. This closure comes not only as a consequence of significant financial struggles but also as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted historical connections to Indigenous lands that the company symbolized.
The HBC was established in 1670 when British colonial powers designated it as a fur trading company, claiming vast territories across what is now Canada without consulting the Indigenous populations whose lives were intertwined with these lands. As customers emptied the stores during the final days leading up to the permanent closure, the scene was bittersweet.
Beye Escobar, who recently snagged discounted swimwear from the now-defunct Ottawa location, expressed mixed emotions: while thrilled about the steep discounts, she lamented the historic significance of HBC's closure. “I don’t know where I’ll go now,” she pondered, reflecting the uncertainty shared by many loyal customers and employees.
The downfall of the HBC, a brand that once dominated the retail landscape, has been attributed to crippling debt, leading to its announcement of bankruptcy earlier this year. As advertisements screamed "Entire Store On Sale!" shoppers filled the aisles, still grappling with what this closure means for cultural and commercial continuity in the region, and what memories will linger in the halls of a company once central to British colonial life in North America.
As the curtain falls on the Hudson's Bay Company, it invites reflection on the intertwined narratives of commerce, colonialism, and the response of Indigenous peoples, reminding us of the profound impacts that corporate histories have on present-day identities and community ties.
