'Poor sales island-wide' to blame for closure, says Templeton's owner

Templeton's home supply store is closing after being a fixture in downtown St. John's for more than 150 years.

Signs posted on the entrance to the Harbour Drive shop say the business will start a closing sale Nov. 29.

"The reason for closing is poor sales island-wide, not just downtown St. John's," owner Dave Templeton told CBC News in a text message.

The business as it's known today has been operating out of the same building since the early 1900s.

Shoppers in downtown St. John's were surprised by news the longtime fixture would close its doors for good.

"I think it's very sad. It's been here for a while and people look forward to coming down to Templeton's and doing some shopping. I know I have," said Joan Murphy, from Mount Pearl.

"People find it very hard to park downtown so I think people find the malls and other stores a big attraction."

Fond memories

According to the store's website, the family name Templeton first appeared on a St. John's storefront in 1863, when Robert Templeton moved from Scotland to operate a shop.

"It's been around for years. I remember going there with my mom," said Cecil Williams, from Shea Heights.

"Probably the bigger stores driving them out, like the ones on Stavanger Drive."

• Ballistic latest business to close in downtown St. John's

Templeton's is the second downtown St. John's shop to announce its closure this week.

Ballistic, which has been on Water Street for 21 years, announced it would be closing in January 2017.