It's been known for decades as the place to get a good deal on ski jackets and winter wear.
John's Ski Warehouse, at 3594 E. Hastings St., was started 40 years ago by John Carr, an avid skier and long-time Burnaby resident.
From name brands like Taiga and Gortex, to top quality cycling raincoats and ski pants, the store stocked items from one or two seasons past at dramatically lowered prices.
This past spring, Carr passed away, leaving the business to his sister Goldie Carr and his daughter, Shasta Benaim, who are closing the doors for the last time next week and are putting everything on sale to clear the merchandise.
Carr founded the business after selling his half-share of the well-known Comor ski equipment and clothing outlet he had cofounded.
He wanted to focus on clothing only, and provide for those who might not be able to afford the high-end gear at top prices.
Never in competition with Comor, Carr sent customers to his previous business for skis and other equipment, and Comor reciprocated by directing some of their customers to him for clothing at family-friendly prices.
Goldie remembers her brother as a good businessman, not for his impressive annual sales, but for his ability to connect with the community.
One year, a young newspaper carrier frequented the store to admire a winter jacket he couldn't afford.
Carr saw the five-dollar bills in the boy's hand one day and informed him the coat had just gone on sale, and that the cash the boy had would be more than enough to cover the cost.
"My brother also had a newspaper route when he was young, so he understood that people just might not have the money," Goldie said. "So the young boy walked away with the jacket and a couple of bucks still in his pocket, and my brother felt the better for it."
It wasn't just among the local community that Carr's reputation spread.
Goldie said the store's name was widespread, as Carr often travelled to the North Shore and to Whistler to hit the slopes and meet other skiers.
"They would say, 'Yeah, if you want good ski clothing, come to John's Ski Warehouse because you can't get a better deal. The Bay or Eaton's will have the same jacket for a hundred bucks more.' And for many years, my brother didn't advertise all that much because it was all word of mouth," she said.
Just last weekend, when Goldie was managing the till, an older man came in and told her he had bought every one of his winter jackets at John's Ski Warehouse and wanted to get two this month, since he'd heard the store will soon be closing for good.
For Carr's family, his passing has been difficult, but never more so than now, at Christmas, and just before the business becomes only a family memory.
"It's hard," Goldie said. "I was OK till now, but now that it's getting closer, you know, it's like a family history, and now it's all gone."
John's Ski Warehouse is holding its final closing out sale until Dec. 31; open every day except Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Hours will be flexible, if people show up close to closing time, Goldie said.
All items in the store will be on sale for between 40 and 80 per cent off.
So far, the sale has been going well, according to Carr's daughter, Shasta Benaim.
After posting a notice on the online forum Reddit, many people have been in to the store to find the last of the good deals, she said.
"A bunch of people came in and they were really excited about the stuff we have, so I just wanted to say a thank you to that community."
