A longtime Yellowknife clothing retailer is shutting its doors after nearly three decades, as owner Vicki Tompkins begins a “retirement sale” ahead of the store’s planned closure in mid-December.
For Women Only, the sister store of the now-closed For Men Only, has been part of Yellowknife’s retail scene for 27 years combined between the two shops. Tompkins told Cabin Radio the decision to close is bittersweet but that she feels ready to move on to other things, including more time with family.
A Changing Retail Landscape
Tompkins pointed to the rise of online shopping as a major challenge for brick-and-mortar retailers like hers, saying mobile shopping has made it easy for customers to find exactly what they want without visiting a physical store. She said sustaining a local shop requires residents to visit regularly rather than only occasionally, noting that she has often heard from people who say they have lived in the city for years without ever stepping into her store.
Tompkins said she sees community engagement with local businesses as a shared responsibility, urging residents who value certain stores to support them with their time and spending.
No Successor This Time
Tompkins said she previously attempted to pass ownership of For Men Only to a successor, but that store ultimately did not survive. With For Women Only, she said there was no similar attempt this time, calling it simply the right time for the business to close.
Reflecting on the store’s run, Tompkins said she is proud of how long the business lasted, noting that when she started, she only expected it to last five or ten years. She said she plans to travel and spend more time with her mother, her family, and her husband following the closure.
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