Sudbury giftware business closing after almost half a century
A giftware business on Durham Street in downtown Sudbury called El Mercado is closing.
After almost half a century in the gift and home decor industry in the city, the owners -- Shirley Vincent and Marsha Fabbro -- said it is time to retire.
While travelling is a top priority, there were other factors in the decision to close up shop, including the impacts of the pandemic.
"The most recent changes, of course, is all the shutdowns we have had that created a big deal, which eliminated people coming into the downtown and into the stores for that matter any retail store," said Vincent.
"And then we also have the online shopping which has accelerated because of COVID people staying at home and so on."
Vincent admitted there were other factors too, one of which is the decision to move the arena away from downtown and build the Kingsway Entertainment District.
"First of all, we should have never even have looked at the KED. The arena should have definitely stayed here which is demonstrated in all kinds of communities around the country and even in the States," said Vincent.
William Petten, 75, lives and shops downtown and said he believes a stronger sense of security would help boost business in the downtown core.
"It has potential in the long run, yes, but there is still a lot of work to do," Petten said.
Vincent said she too has faith in the future of downtown.
"Downtown is coming back and we are going to make sure it comes back. And we have got patio programs starting again this summer and so on which is very positive. Get people into the downtown core," said Vincent.
She said the store will close sometime next month but there is still a possibility of El Mercado opening back up under new management with a location yet to be determined.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Australian police arrest 7 alleged teen extremists linked to stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church
Australian police arrested seven teenagers accused of following a violent extremist ideology in raids across Sydney on Wednesday, as a judge extended a ban on social media platform X sharing video of a knife attack on a bishop that started the criminal investigation.