Competition catches up with Cornishes
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After more than six decades of business, Cornishes in Sidney will close at the end of November.
“I’m going out of business, not by choice just by complete necessity,” said owner Caroline McKinnon. “It just can’t sustain itself, the business cannot sustain itself with all the competition. There’s too many people trying to do the same thing, and it just has hurt.”
She’s grateful to her loyal customers, but after five years of ownership, McKinnon says she’s forced to close Cornishes.
“I tried to sell the business,” she said. “I was unable to sell the business.”
She tried for about a year off and on, listing the business with an agent for about seven months as well as using online listings and word of mouth. However, retail sales at the landmark business continued to decline and she finds herself left with limited options.
“It’s been here since the early 40s. For over 60 years it’s been a landmark,” McKinnon said. “It seems the idea the public has is that if a business has been around for a very long time, it’s immune to financial distress.”
“It’s sad to see a store that we’ve all known and loved for most of our adult lives closing,” said Erin Middlebrooks, owner of neighbouring shop Dragon Horse. “I hope people keep shopping locally, something like this might bring to their attention how important it is.”
Cornishes offers an eclectic selection of greeting cards, paper products, gift items, BC pottery, candles and the like. Similar items are available at dollar stores and big box stores in Greater Victoria, she said. Other contributing factors to the decline include an aging population and losing regular customers to moving and passing away. The fluctuation of the Canadian dollar hasn’t helped either.
“In order to succeed in retail in this town you need to own the building or have money backing you,” McKinnon said. “If you’re financing the business yourself and relying on it for income it’s nearly impossible.
“I can’t work for nothing,” McKinnon added.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.co
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