Ottawa children's store closing after 76 years
After 76 years of serving the Ottawa-area, Kiddytown will be closing its doors at the end of February.
In a social media post, the owners of Kiddytown announced it would be closing in the new year.
"It is with heavy hearts after 76 years of serving the Ottawa-area that Kiddytown has decided to close down a pillar of the Ottawa community," said Kiddytown.
"It has been our utmost pleasure to serve each and every one of you over all the years."
The family-owned business opened in 1945, focusing on baby and children's retail products.
Kiddytown says in 1945, Goldie Abramson was walking on Rideau Street when she saw Hunts Candy Shop was closing because of the sugar shortage due to the war.
"She knew that Ottawa was missing a store that catered to the needs of parents and kids, especially during the start of what we now know as the 'Baby Boom'," said Kiddytown on its website.
"The idea of renting that space (all 200 square feet) and starting Ottawa’s baby store was very exciting to Goldie (better known as Mrs. A), her husband Charlie and her brother Hy (or Mr. H). So with borrowed money and an 18 month lease, they opened the doors of Kiddytown Ltd."
Currently, Hy's daughters run the day-to-day operation of the two Ottawa locations.
The social media post mentions retirement as the reason for closing.
"I guess I will leave you with three things: First is a big thank you to all the Hymes daughters you have made your father incredibly proud and have earned a well deserved retirement," said Kiddytown.
"Second there are some incredible deals going on as we are starting to clear out inventory and lastly if anybody has any job opportunities for (Mike) I am open to offers."
At Kiddytown on Thursday, the sisters running the store reflected on its 76-year history in Ottawa as they prepare to close the store in the new year.
"At the end of February our lease is due, so I've decided not to renew it," said Rhea Hymes-Hochstadter.
"I think it could be the right time now."
Speaking with CTV News Ottawa on Thursday, Hymes-Hochstadter says issues during the pandemic, including long hours, difficulty hiring staff and supply chain challenges have been a challenge.
Hymes-Hochstadter adds her children were not interested in taking over.
"And my sister's children also. So, there's no succession plan."
Rhea's sister Barbara Elvinson says she will miss "certain aspects" of the retail store. Elvinson remembers her father's approach to customer service.
"(When) times were tough, people could just carrying their bills until they could afford to pay; we’ve heard unbelievable stories over the years from customers as to what my father did for people.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.