Toronto Photo Gallery - Hudson's Bay Liquidation

Hudson's Bay Co. is Canada's oldest company, founded in 1670 long before the country was born to trade fur under royal charter from King Charles II. It controlled the trade with the indigenous peoples on some 8 million square kilometres across much of today's Canada.

2 brothers-in-law from New France came to King Charles II in 1666 presenting a beaver fur trade proposal after the French turned them down. An expedition followed in 1668 with one of them landing in Hudson Bay to trade with the Cree. His success paved the way to establish the company, with aspirations that other natural resources and the Northwest Passage could also be found.

The royal charter also claimed plenty of land connected to the water ways feeding into Hudson Bay that belonged to the indigenous people, renaming it as Rupert's Land. The fur trade involved mostly Scottish traders, who exchanged guns and wool for fur. In turn, the trade also mapped out the vast geography that would make up Canada one day, with the colonial overlords in London keeping a watchful eye.

Hudson's Bay Co. filed for creditor protection in March 2025, citing COVID-19, trade war, and depressed downtown traffic. It prompted liquidation of all but 6 of its 96 stores. A subsequent court filing in April allowed it to liquidate those last 6 stores amidst pessimism an investor won't be found. Their gift cards and membership rewards are now worthless.

Liquidation sales began at its downtown Toronto flagship store on April 25, 2025.

The Richmond Hill store had a selection of products in the company's green, red, yellow, and indigo stripe pattern. Dating from the late 18th century, the colours were chosen due to their popularity and easy production using dyes.

Elsewhere in Toronto, many shelves in the Fairview Mall location have emptied out.

The liquidation process has also attracted controversy as the company has requested to auction off its collection of art and artifacts, which includes the royal charter granted by King Charles II in 1670. Local media also reported paintings, point blankets, and collectible Barbie dolls are also slated to be sold.