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Opinion: Le Chateau's final days in Burnaby are just so sad

Days are numbered for Metropolis at Metrotown store
le chateau metropolis metrotown
Even deep discounts weren't attracting many customers at the Metropolis at Metrotown location.

Sometimes the end of an era can be inspiring, like when a legendary athlete gracefully retires.

Other eras end in ugly fashion, like a certain Cheeto-haired American president.

And then there is Le Chateau in Burnaby. The end of this era is just so sad.

I was in the local store at Metropolis at Metrotown recently doing some Christmas shopping and it made me want to cry. The fashion outlet where I had shopped so many times before – including buying my graduation suit – was empty.

This was truly shocking to see because it was the Sunday before Christmas and the store had a huge sale going on with steep discounts on pretty much everything.

And yet the staff outnumbered the customers. When I walked by an hour later, it was the same thing.

Le Chateau, in cases you hadn’t heard, is closing down in Burnaby as part of a company-wide collapse. It’s liquidating everything after 60 years in business.

“We don’t know exactly when we’re closing, but it’s very soon,” said one of the clerks, wistfully.

In the summer, the company detailed fourth-quarter – for the year ended Jan. 25, 2020 - results that included a sales drop of 6.5% year-over-year and a net loss of more than $51 million.

Le Chateau Inc. says its founder and his wife have left the insolvent company as it prepares to close its doors. Herschel Segal and his wife, Jane Silverstone Segal, resigned as directors.

The Montreal-based company said that it has spent much of the COVID-19 pandemic trying to refinance or sell the business to a third party that would keep it in operation, but was unsuccessful.

"It’s already evident impact on consumer demand for Le Chateau's holiday party and occasion wear, which represents the core of our offering, has diminished Le Chateau's ability to pursue its activities," the company said. "Regrettably, these circumstances leave the company with no option other than to commence the liquidation process."

The eventual Le Chateau closures across Canada will mean the end of about 1,400 jobs — 500 at its head office and 900 at stores.

Truly and ignominious end to a company that has been a huge part of the Canadian fashion scene.

  • With files from the Canadian Press

Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.