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

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

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/06/2025 (444 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)

Related Articles

City Bay stores already closed as last-minute shoppers arrive
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS The Bay store at St Vital was locked down today Sunday, June 1, 2025 Winnipeg. Some people stopped by to check for last minute deals, take a peek at the empty, or grab a selfie in front of the closed store. Reporter: aaron
Uncertain fate of Indigenous artifacts in the Hudson’s Bay Co.’s Corporate Collection raises ethical questions
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.
B.C. mall owner says she wanted to run stores more than she wanted Bay trademarks
Ruby Liu, chairwoman of Central Walk, poses in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Ruby Liu *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Dr. Ayomikun Soyombo, emergency medicine physician (left), accepts gifts from Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara during the provincial announcment at Seven Oaks Hospital Tuesday.

Close to 5,000 net new health-care workers added since 2023 election, province says

Chris Kitching 7 minute read Preview

Close to 5,000 net new health-care workers added since 2023 election, province says

Chris Kitching 7 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:43 PM CDT

More doctors and nurses are working in Manitoba than ever before but health-care challenges remain, Premier Wab Kinew says.

The province has added 4,725 net new health-care workers to the provincial system since the NDP won the October 2023 election, Kinew told reporters Tuesday.

The government’s total includes 370 doctors, 1,464 nurses, 2,152 health-care aides and 607 allied health professionals, a group that includes physiotherapists, dietitians, paramedics, medical lab technologists and others.

Kinew said more doctors and nurses are working in Manitoba than ever before.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 6:43 PM CDT
Commissioner of teacher professional conduct Noni Classen (Mike Sudoma / Free Press files)

Manitoba teacher commissioner received 94 complaints in 15 months, report reveals

Maggie Macintosh 2 minute read Preview

Manitoba teacher commissioner received 94 complaints in 15 months, report reveals

Maggie Macintosh 2 minute read 11:02 AM CDT

A new report shows 94 complaints were flagged to Manitoba’s independent teacher commissioner during a 15-month period.

Commissioner Noni Classen has released a summary of the professional misconduct concerns and findings of investigations between January 2025 and March 2026.

The regulatory college was established on Jan. 6, 2025.

“These processes can be difficult and deeply personal for everyone involved, including students, families, teachers and school administrators,” Classen wrote in the 24-page document released this week.

Read
11:02 AM CDT
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS A city crew cleans up needles and other hazardous materials at Freight House park on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. For Malak story. Free Press 2026

City crews cleaning up drug paraphernalia, weapons having some impact on inner-city life

Malak Abas 7 minute read Preview

City crews cleaning up drug paraphernalia, weapons having some impact on inner-city life

Malak Abas 7 minute read Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

A three-person crew, employed by the city as part of its recently expanded proactive cleanup program, allowed the Free Press to follow along last week while they worked to make the Freight House Recreation Centre's property safe to play in.

Read
Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES True North Sports and Entertainment was fined $12,000 by the Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority of Manitoba for serving liquor to minors during a Winnipeg Jets White Out street party in 2025.

Liquor authority fines True North $12K after minors with fake ID served at Jets White Out party

Nicole Buffie 5 minute read Preview

Liquor authority fines True North $12K after minors with fake ID served at Jets White Out party

Nicole Buffie 5 minute read Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

True North Sports and Entertainment was hit with a $12,000 fine for serving minors with fake IDs during a Winnipeg Jets White Out street party in 2025.

Read
Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine says an investigation in the case of a six-year-old girl who is paralyzed after being assaulted by her foster mother is nearly complete.

Paralyzed foster girl has system under a microscope

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Preview

Paralyzed foster girl has system under a microscope

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

An internal investigation by Manitoba’s Families Department is nearly complete in the case of a six-year-old girl who is paralyzed after being assaulted by her foster mother in Winnipeg.

The review by child-welfare officials is intended to prevent similar incidents, but it’s unlikely the public will learn the findings or recommendations.

“We’re working closely with the (child and family services) authority to make sure that every recommendation is taken seriously and implemented,” Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said Monday.

“They’re important (investigations) because they help us identify what went wrong so we can make those changes to ensure something like this tragedy never happens again.”

Read
Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

Brandon’s gas plant: a health decision

Riley De Blonde and Scott Blyth 5 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

Imagine a Manitoba in which our lives are powered by clean, affordable electricity that Manitobans own and which doesn’t pollute the air and water we depend on.

That future is within reach and, as doctors, we know it would protect people’s health now and for many generations.

Instead, Manitoba Hydro wants to spend $3 billion on three new gas-fired turbines in Brandon.The Public Utilities Board is now considering this proposal, before our provincial leaders make a final decision that could lock us into burning harmful fossil fuels for decades.

Every day doctors witness the toll of air pollution, hotter summers and smokier skies on our patients — the child struggling through an asthma attack in the emergency room, the senior dangerously overheating during a heat wave. These health crises are not inevitable. They are the consequence of decisions, by governments and corporations, to keep burning fossil fuels.