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
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Have you been removed from your family doctor’s patient list for visiting an Ontario walk-in clinic?
Some Ontarians are expressing frustration after they said that they were removed from their family doctor’s patient list for visiting a walk-in clinic in a process being called “de-rostering.”
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Canadian government proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.