### End of an Era: Hudson’s Bay Company Closes After 355 Years

As Hudson's Bay Company closed its doors, customers navigated through almost empty aisles and greatly discounted jewelry, reflecting on the legacy of the oldest company in North America.

In a poignant moment for Canadian retail history, the iconic Hudson’s Bay Company store in downtown Ottawa closed its doors for the last time on Sunday, signaling the end of operations for a company that has been a fixture for over 355 years. Despite a planned final hour of trading, the store’s closure came an hour early, as staff and customers alike acknowledged the store had run out of merchandise.

On the final day, shoppers were greeted with deeply discounted items, most notably jewelry which saw prices slashed to attract last-minute buyers. Inside, the atmosphere was a mix of melancholy and nostalgia as long-time patrons continued to make purchases amidst the remnants that lined the once-bustling sales floors. A sentiment echoed by many, including a former employee who reminisced about their time selling department-store cameras in a retail world vastly changed from those days.

The scene outside was laced with humor as well. A trendy encounter with a repeated shoplifter was noted by security guards, who were amused by the antics of this frequent visitor trying to access the last moments of the storied establishment.

As Hudson’s Bay transitions into its next chapter, questions linger about the legacy of its founding document, the 1670 charter signed by Charles II, with some advocating for it to remain in public hands rather than be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The closing of the store may signify not just the cessation of sales, but a symbolic end to an era that shaped retail and consumer culture in Canada.