The impending liquidation of the Hudson’s Bay retail chain has sparked profound emotion among both employees and customers in Calgary, particularly at the Market Mall location. As news of the historic empire's decline spread, staff gathered in a somber atmosphere, some unable to hold back tears.

“It’s pretty emotional for everyone; we were always hopeful,” shared an employee, who has dedicated her life to the store. The nostalgic memories of years spent working there seem to weigh heavily on her and her colleagues.

One staff member responsible for the cosmetics department spoke pensively about the situation, expressing a desire for "some good news" amid overwhelming feelings of uncertainty. In contrast, her colleague remarked on the executives' ongoing search for a financial lifeline and noted the diminishing hope surrounding the store's future.

Signs of decline are visible throughout the store: the north entrance’s sliding glass doors are inoperable, hinting at an inability to maintain basic infrastructure. Customers attempting to venture to the second floor are greeted with the unfortunate news of a non-functioning escalator, requiring them to exit via an outdoor fire escape—a scenario that only adds to the facility's beleaguered reputation.

A manager, embodying the overall sentiment among staff, encapsulated the mood with, "It’s a tough time," as they politely asked reporters to conduct interviews outside the store.

Hudson's Bay currently operates four additional stores in Calgary, including locations in Southcentre Mall, Chinook Centre, downtown, and Sunridge Mall. Yet, the future of these facilities remains uncertain as the brand grapples with a shifting retail landscape and mounting operational challenges.

The decline of Hudson’s Bay is not a new development. In 2021, the chain downsized its flagship downtown store from seven floors to three, while some locations faced intermittent closures amid growing unpaid bills. Most recently, in August 2023, the Bay shuttered its Banff store, which had served the community since 1935.

On Saturday, customers Greg Long and Darlene Selby reminisced about Hudson's Bay’s iconic patterned blankets that marked their childhood Christmases. "I can remember at Christmas, my grandparents gave us these Hudson’s Bay blankets," Long reflected sadly. He also mused on the notion that "maybe we’re just too small a country to support something like this now," speculating about the possibility of the space being repurposed into a Walmart as the retail landscape continues to evolve.

The loss of such a storied institution, which has roots going back 355 years, resonates deeply, especially in an era marked by economic and sovereignty concerns stemming from the U.S. The emotional toll of this historic retail giant's decline is palpable in Calgary, leaving both staff and customers to grapple with what this means for the future.