Remembering The Bay By: Free Press staff Posted: Last Modified:

After 355 years, the Hudson’s Bay Company has closed its doors.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/06/2025 (398 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After 355 years, the Hudson’s Bay Company has closed its doors.

The longstanding business grew as a fur-trading company and transitioned into a department store. Over recent years, it’s been in a state of financial decline. It filed for creditor protection in March and is shuttering 80 Bay stores and its Saks-linked Canadian locations.

In addition to the flagship store at Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard, which closed in 2020, Winnipeg’s Hudson’s Bay stores were located in CF Polo Park and St. Vital Centre. A Saks Off Fifth occupied Outlet Collection Winnipeg.

Canstar Community News files The downtown Hudson’s Bay Company building, shown while under construction in the 1920s, is an important piece of Winnipeg’s architectural and cultural heritage.

Canstar Community News files

The downtown Hudson’s Bay Company building, shown while under construction in the 1920s, is an important piece of Winnipeg’s architectural and cultural heritage.

Canadian Tire aims to acquire Hudson’s Bay trademarks, including its stripes and coat of arms.

Here, we take a look back at the once-prominent Canadian company and its history in Winnipeg.

Glenn Olsen / Free Press files The Hudson’s Bay Company’s downtown Winnipeg flagship store, above on Oct. 1, 1985, was officially opened in November 1926 and closed in November 2020.

Glenn Olsen / Free Press files

The Hudson’s Bay Company’s downtown Winnipeg flagship store, above on Oct. 1, 1985, was officially opened in November 1926 and closed in November 2020.

Hudson’s Bay Company Archives, Manitoba Archives Hudson’s Bay Company’s downtown store’s third floor looking south from the passenger elevator lobby in November 1926.

Hudson’s Bay Company Archives, Manitoba Archives

Hudson’s Bay Company’s downtown store’s third floor looking south from the passenger elevator lobby in November 1926.

Hudson’s Bay Company Archives, Manitoba Archives Doreen Hardie appears on the job in a photo taken in 1947 of her working as the elevator operator at the Bay dressed in a toy soldier costume.

Hudson’s Bay Company Archives, Manitoba Archives

Doreen Hardie appears on the job in a photo taken in 1947 of her working as the elevator operator at the Bay dressed in a toy soldier costume.

Free Press files The first floor of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s downtown store on March 13, 1973.

Free Press files

The first floor of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s downtown store on March 13, 1973.

Wayne Glowacki / Free Press files On Nov. 19, 2004, Nelda Burdy had 47 years of service at the Paddlewheel Restaurant in the Bay downtown store.

Wayne Glowacki / Free Press files

On Nov. 19, 2004, Nelda Burdy had 47 years of service at the Paddlewheel Restaurant in the Bay downtown store.

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press files Paddlewheel Restaurant - Turkey and Beef dinner platter on tray. Jan 23, 2013,

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press files

Paddlewheel Restaurant - Turkey and Beef dinner platter on tray. Jan 23, 2013,

General manager Brian Read with the new HBC Signature in the background on Oct. 30, 2003. (Marc Gallant / Free Press files)
General manager Brian Read with the new HBC Signature in the background on Oct. 30, 2003. (Marc Gallant / Free Press files)
Amado Reyes helps customer Donald Hawkes with a television purchase on Oct. 30, 2003. (Marc Gallant / Free Press files)
Amado Reyes helps customer Donald Hawkes with a television purchase on Oct. 30, 2003. (Marc Gallant / Free Press files)

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MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Supplementary Charter 1957: A.37/52 The Hudson’s Bay Company Archives currently holds all nine original supplementary charters which were signed to amend the 1670 Charter of Incorporation. By the 1880s, the HBC found that its incorporating charter was inadequate for the conduct of its modern business, especially in regards to land sales. The HBC petitioned the crown for supplemental charters, the first of which was granted in 1884. The HBCA holds the original petitions to the crown for each charter. These supplementary charters, once signed, annulled the supplements and original charter that came before it. There are supplementary charters for 1884, 1892, 1912, 1920, 1949, 1957, 1960, 1963 and 1970. There are two versions of the 1970 supplementary charter, as this charter specifically made the HBC a Canadian rather than a British Company, one signed in the UK and one in Canada on May 29, 1970. All of the supplementary charters arrived at and were held by the Archives Department of the HBC in London, being received at the Archives shortly after their creation in many cases. These were all donated to the Province of Manitoba in 1994. Reporter: Conrad Sweatman 250610 - Tuesday, June 10, 2025. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Supplementary Charter 1957: A.37/52 The Hudson’s Bay Company Archives currently holds all nine original supplementary charters which were signed to amend the 1670 Charter of Incorporation. By the 1880s, the HBC found that its incorporating charter was inadequate for the conduct of its modern business, especially in regards to land sales. The HBC petitioned the crown for supplemental charters, the first of which was granted in 1884. The HBCA holds the original petitions to the crown for each charter. These supplementary charters, once signed, annulled the supplements and original charter that came before it. There are supplementary charters for 1884, 1892, 1912, 1920, 1949, 1957, 1960, 1963 and 1970. There are two versions of the 1970 supplementary charter, as this charter specifically made the HBC a Canadian rather than a British Company, one signed in the UK and one in Canada on May 29, 1970. All of the supplementary charters arrived at and were held by the Archives Department of the HBC in London, being received at the Archives shortly after their creation in many cases. These were all donated to the Province of Manitoba in 1994. Reporter: Conrad Sweatman 250610 - Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
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Free Press files The first floor of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s downtown store on March 13, 1973.

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After 355 years, the Hudson’s Bay Company has closed its doors.

The longstanding business grew as a fur-trading company and transitioned into a department store. Over recent years, it’s been in a state of financial decline. It filed for creditor protection in March and is shuttering 80 Bay stores and its Saks-linked Canadian locations.

In addition to the flagship store at Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard, which closed in 2020, Winnipeg’s Hudson’s Bay stores were located in CF Polo Park and St. Vital Centre. A Saks Off Fifth occupied Outlet Collection Winnipeg.

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