Whitehorse Sears outlet shutting down next month
High shipping costs to Yukon means little profit, says local store operator
Attention Whitehorse shoppers: Sears is shutting down its local outlet.
The store's local owner/operator, Arun Ramalingam, said the doors will close on May 15.
"It's Sears' decision, it's not our decision," he said.
"They are saying the main cause would be the shipping, which is really expensive to ship up to the North... they're not making much profit."
The outlet has been in business for more than three decades, but Ramalingam and his family have operated it for just the last six years.
He said Sears hoped to keep the store open until September, "but they couldn't manage it."
"A lot of customers don't even believe this, that we're going to close the store."
There are appliances on display inside the Whitehorse Sears, but the store is better known for its catalogue business. The outlet serves as a pickup location for orders from the renowned Sears catalogue.
Ramalingam said the company wants to maintain a catalogue agency in Whitehorse, as exists in Dawson City. They are typically located in existing small businesses, and feature a small desk where Sears parcels can be picked up.
"We're not into that. They're asking me to find a good person, if I know anyone," he said.
Sears also closed its Yellowknife store last year.
With files from Mike Rudyk