With our entry into a new year, we will endeavour to keep a better finger on the pulse of the local business economy as it struggles to cope with the city's current economic climate.
As any walk down Third Avenue can testify to, the city's commercial core has had more vibrant days and with the decline in population has come the eventual closure of many a once popular merchant or two.
From our portal we shall keep a list of those that have had the unfortunate decision to make to bring to an end their business plans, as well as those that are taking that giant leap of faith that opening a business calls for in these times.
As is always the case in Prince Rumours, there's no shortage of speculation on any number of local businesses both independent and chain orientated, whether located on Third Avenue, elsewhere in the City or in the Rupert Square.
For consistency we will only list those locations where we have confirmation of a closure, temporary or permanent, our best indication of which of course will be the fact that one can't actually receive of the service offered by the business in question.
As we can't be everywhere and anywhere at all times, we welcome tips of course of any potential openings or closings for further investigation, simply fire us off a heads up at podunkcan@yahoo.ca
You can find our ongoing roll call on the right hand side of the blog under the Podunk Service Centre heading, a store highlighted in Red indicates closed, Green signifies a new arrival, or an intention to join the city's merchant class in 2010.
To date in 2010:
Closed/Closing 11
Opened 4
Moved within town 3
August
JVA Games-- Local entertainment hall relocates from its previous second avenue location to its new home in the 500 block of Third Avenue, taking over the space which once housed the Fabric boutique (August 2, 2010)
July
Prince Rupert Daily News-- After a 99 year run, Prince Rupert's daily record of news will soon be shutting down the presses. Black Press, owner of the local weekly Northern View, purchased the Daily News and a number of other newspapers in western Canada from Glacier Media. The official line from Black Press is that the paper will close in September eliminating 21 local jobs (not counting paper carriers), though many anticipate that the paper will cease to publish much sooner than that announced deadline (July 5, 2010)
June
MovieGallery-- The national chain operation into liquidation and with it seemingly so will the local outlet of the movie rental chain, reports of a liquidation sale of assets is set for mid June with closure anticipated within six to eight weeks following. (June 12, 2010)
Extra Foods -- After a number of rather caustic sessions of on and off negotiations and labour board appearances, Extra Foods which was unable to convert it's grocery operation to a No Frills store, closed the Rupert Square location on June 2nd. (June 2, 2010)
Seahorse Trading Company Cafe-- The folks that bring us Homeworks in Cow Bay expand their offerings with a cafe housed in the Atlin Terminal with a varied menu of the like of pizza and sandwiches for tourists and locals alike. (June 2010)
April
Concrete -- Another Third Avenue Business surrenders to the current economic climate, Concrete posts the Going out of Business signs on its store in the 500 block of third, the store catering to young adult fashions puts out the store closing sandwich board in late April (April 27, 2010)
Belak Bambino Outfitters -- The store that filled the void from the departure of Please Mum (and even the same retail spot) will soon be no more, Store Closing signs and this Space for rent compete for attention at Belak Bambino Outfitters on Third Avenue West (April, 2010)
March
North Shore Truck and RV sales -- We're not sure how long they've been open, but a drive down Kaien road finds some shiny new pick up trucks lined up facing the street half way between Frederick and the Industrial site. A simple home made sign identifies the location as North Shore Truck and RV sales (March 30, 2010)
Dollar Store with More (Rupert Square Location) -- One of Prince Rupert's two Dollar Stores with More has closed up shop, as the Rupert Square location features brown paper on the windows and a sign indicating that the stock has been relocated to it's Third Avenue location (March 29, 2010)
Northern Industrial Sales-- The long time industrial supply location closes its doors for retail store front business, remaining on site stock to be sent to their Terrace location. The closure comes after NIS had been purchased by interests from the North West Territories in 2007. (March 26, 2010)
Uptown Shoes-- 3rd Avenue Store set to close at end of the month (March 19, 2010)
Rain-- The Popular 2nd Avenue West restaurant posts note on door advising that they are closed for Day to Day business, but that the building is available for "private parties" and that they still do catering. Update: building listed as for sale in June. (March 19, 2010)
February
Blue Ocean-- Old La Cucina site re-opens as Blue Ocean, featuring Vietnamese cuisine. (Feb 10, 2010)
Data Boy/Teddy's -- Databoy moves into the space once home to Teddy's electronics showroom, as the computer store takes over the electronics line from Teddy's, indications around town are that Teddy's will shift only to the rental and sale of musical instruments. (February 1, 2010)
Data Boy/Teddy's -- Databoy moves into the space once home to Teddy's electronics showroom, as the computer store takes over the electronics line from Teddy's, indications around town are that Teddy's will shift only to the rental and sale of musical instruments. (February 1, 2010)
January
Peglegs -- Having recently been turned over to new management, the Mariner's Park eatery opens up the New Year with a Closed Until further Notice sign posted to the front door. No further details are listed at this time as to future plans. A "For Sale" sign was posted on restaurant location in March. (Jan 10, 2010)
La Cucina-- Not much to go on but the hand scrawled notice of Opening soon, affixed to a piece of cardboard in a window on the once popular restaurant on Third Avenue Across from City Hall. We await further details on a time frame and whether the restaurant will return to its once Italian fare or offer up something of a different variety. (Jan 10, 2010) -- See note above in February, reopened as Blue Ocean
NHU' Y-- A coffee shop, sub shop/billard hall opened up in December, moving into the old Papa Jazzies location on 3rd Avenue West. It seems to be developing itself as a gathering centre for the local Vietnamese community. (Jan 10, 2010)
Carlton Cards -- The Rupert Square will have another empty space to fill as Carlton Cards becomes the latest tenant to make plans to leave, the greeting card and gift store has advised its loyal customers that they will be closing its Prince Rupert location at the end of January. (Jan 14, 2010)
Peglegs -- Having recently been turned over to new management, the Mariner's Park eatery opens up the New Year with a Closed Until further Notice sign posted to the front door. No further details are listed at this time as to future plans. A "For Sale" sign was posted on restaurant location in March. (Jan 10, 2010)
La Cucina-- Not much to go on but the hand scrawled notice of Opening soon, affixed to a piece of cardboard in a window on the once popular restaurant on Third Avenue Across from City Hall. We await further details on a time frame and whether the restaurant will return to its once Italian fare or offer up something of a different variety. (Jan 10, 2010) -- See note above in February, reopened as Blue Ocean
NHU' Y-- A coffee shop, sub shop/billard hall opened up in December, moving into the old Papa Jazzies location on 3rd Avenue West. It seems to be developing itself as a gathering centre for the local Vietnamese community. (Jan 10, 2010)
Carlton Cards -- The Rupert Square will have another empty space to fill as Carlton Cards becomes the latest tenant to make plans to leave, the greeting card and gift store has advised its loyal customers that they will be closing its Prince Rupert location at the end of January. (Jan 14, 2010)
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