Gallery: Remembering The Bay
After 355 years, the Hudson's Bay Company has closed its doors.
The longstanding business grew as a fur-trading company and transitioned into a department store. Over recent years, it's been in a state of financial decline. It filed for creditor protection in March and is shuttering 80 Bay stores and its Saks-linked Canadian locations.
In addition to the flagship store at Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard, which closed in 2020, Winnipeg's Hudson's Bay stores were located in CF Polo Park and St. Vital Centre. A Saks Off Fifth occupied Outlet Collection Winnipeg.
Canstar Community News files
The downtown Hudson's Bay Company building, shown while under construction in the 1920s, is an important piece of Winnipeg's architectural and cultural heritage.
Canadian Tire aims to acquire Hudson's Bay trademarks, including its stripes and coat of arms.
Here, we take a look back at the once-prominent Canadian company and its history in Winnipeg.
Glenn Olsen / Free Press files
The Hudson's Bay Company's downtown Winnipeg flagship store, above on Oct. 1, 1985, was officially opened in November 1926 and closed in November 2020.
Hudson's Bay Company Archives, Manitoba Archives
Hudson's Bay Company's downtown store's third floor looking south from the passenger elevator lobby in November 1926.
Hudson's Bay Company Archives, Manitoba Archives
Doreen Hardie appears on the job in a photo taken in 1947 of her working as the elevator operator at the Bay dressed in a toy soldier costume.
Free Press files
The first floor of the Hudson's Bay Company's downtown store
on March 13, 1973.
Wayne Glowacki / Free Press files
On Nov. 19, 2004, Nelda Burdy had 47 years of service at the
Paddlewheel Restaurant in the Bay downtown store.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press files
Paddlewheel Restaurant - Turkey and Beef dinner platter on tray. Jan 23, 2013,
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