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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.