What the possible closure of Hudson’s Bay stores could mean for the N.S. retail landscape

Hudson's Bay may start to liquidate its stores this week. Nova Scotia shoppers, mall management and a business expert are weighing in on the possible impacts.

Hudson’s Bay may start to liquidate its stores this week, and operators at the two Maritime malls are worried how the iconic store’s closure could impact them and shoppers.

Lawyers were in court Monday asking for permission to begin a liquidation of all 80 of its stores, and the judge’s decision is on hold.

There are only two Bay stores in the region — both in Nova Scotia — at the Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth and the Mayflower Mall in Sydney.

Mayflower Mall’s property manager says while things are still up in the air, the Bay’s closure would hurt.

“It’s detrimental to the shopping centre. It’s sad,” said William Correira of McCOR Management East.

“I think we are still hoping that the Bay is going to remain an active partner of ours at the shopping centre.”

He said losing an anchor tenant “is never easy” and the mall is asking for shoppers to be patient while they come up with a plan.

Ramesh Venkat, the director of the David Sobey Retailing Centre at Satin Mary’s University, says it’s the end of an era for department stores.