The latest store owner to leave Timmins Square says he thinks online shopping is playing a role in changes happening now in the local retail sector.
The recent confirmation that the mall's largest tenant and main anchor store, Sears Outlet, will be closing in July, combined with Sunrise Records announcing in early January that it will be closing after just two years in operation, was followed Wednesday by another closure announcement.
On Wednesday it was announced that A Buck or Two Plus will also be closing on March 31. It was a staple in the Timmins Square for 15 years, and serves as an affordable option for many odds and ends, including a particular focus on party supplies.
"It's a local decision. But corporate decided not to try to sell the banner," said Denis LaSalle, store owner and franchisee.
It is a different scenario than some of the others, which came from company decisions at higher levels.
"We want to retire. Because you have to re-sign for five years, and it would have put us too far away, so we decided to retire," said LaSalle, referring to the agreement he has with A Buck or Two Plus' parent company Extreme Retail Canada.
LaSalle said it was up to head office to find new ownership for the store.
"I pay for the franchise, but its not mine obviously. Its head office that has the decision to either transfer it to somebody, or try to sell everything to someone else. But they decided not to pursue that route."
LaSalle wasn't told why there wasn't an effort put in to keep the store alive. He also said the decision to close was not due to a lack of sales or patronage.
"We had a very good customer base. Everything was fine, its strictly personal I guess I should say."
LaSalle said the cost of rent "doesn't help, but I mean, its part of the game I guess."
But there is a much bigger factor in play relating to retail as a whole — the proliferation of convenient virtual stores where nearly anything can be purchased with a few key strokes and mouse clicks. LaSalle said its impact is far reaching.
"Everything has changed. Online shopping has affected every business in the mall, and it will affect every business in Timmins whether you like it or not. You'll see a lot more places closing up shop a little bit later on, because its catching up. That's the way of doing business today, and there's nothing we can do about that."
LaSalle said that although the dollar store market hasn't necessarily shifted online, malls like the Timmins Square are a cohesive environment.
"The thing is, if you're in the mall, and there's no more traffic, we all lose. My dollar store survived on the traffic in the mall. If all the other businesses are effected by the shopping online, it does effect mine too."
LaSalle pointed out that prices online aren't always such a great deal, pointing out one of the store's most popular features, helium gas.
"We have a lot of people come in, bringing stuff they bought online, and having the balloon blown up over here. What can you do? You know that they shopped online, and a lot of time it was way cheaper in my store than what I've seen on the price of those items. But its a fact of life," he said.
The Timmins Square will need to find a new tenant for its largest unit at the mall's east side, as Sears Outlet will be closed in July. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday Although things could certainly be interpreted as ominous at the moment for the city's largest shopping centre, retail is a highly cyclical business. Chains close, merge, and re-brand often. Malls are continuing to thrive in other, albeit larger Ontario cities, despite the unmistakable dent that online shopping has made. The Timmins Square has seen dozens and dozens of businesses come and go since it opened in 1976. Only three retailers remain from its first days - Reitman's, People's Jewellers, and Coles book store.
Mall management declined a request for an interview regarding the latest developments.
"At this time, I am unable to elaborate or comment," said Brenda McLeish, property manager for Timmins Square, who could only offer a press release she had written, which stated:
"RioCan was recently notified that Sears has decided to not renew its lease at Timmins Square. We value our relationship with Sears Canada and are appreciative of the contributions the company has made to the Shopping Centre and the local community over the past years. While we are disappointed to see Sears go, RioCan is currently exploring opportunities to fill the space, based on the needs of the local community."
LaSalle is proud of the last 15 years of operation at the Timmins Square, but admits there is a bittersweet note.
"Its with mixed feelings. We're happy to be retiring, on the other hand we're letting our staff down, and we're letting some other people down. But what do you do want to do? Every good thing has to come to an end."
