Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 06/98) - A trio of Yellowknife businesses find themselves in various states of closing shop.

White Bear Chrysler Ltd. has been locked shut, Munchkins held its final sale Thursday and Damoli's Card & Gift will call it quits at month's end.

The firm of Price Waterhouse Coopers was appointed White Bear's receiver Dec. 18. Terry Capp, with the accounting firm's Edmonton office, could not comment on the matter.

It remains to be seen if anyone will come forward to buy the dealership or if a the receiver will be looking to sell some cars and trucks.

Mark Chang, appointed secretary/treasurer of White Bear when the company was formed April 25, 1995, has not returned xxxYellowknifer calls.

Harry Ely, president of White Bear Chrysler when it was incorporated, could not be reached Monday. But Ely, who does not live in Yellowknife, is believed to be no longer associated with White Bear.

Signs posted at White Bear direct inquires to the receiver or Chrysler Canada.

Meanwhile, Munchkins, a children's toy and clothing shop in the 50/50 mini mall, shut for good last Thursday.

Customers packed the store to take advantage of big discounts -- clothing was 70 per cent off -- on the stores final day.

Wallace Finlayson, who co-owns Munchkins with Donna Latremouille, said, "It's a shame to close it but the time was right. It's a sign of the economic times of Yellowknife." Finlayson, with Stephen Gwilliam, co-owns Sutherland's Drugs Ltd.

Damoli's owner Dianne Nikiforuk said with the store's lease coming up at the end of January, it was time to examine the store's future.

Nikiforuk, who acquired the store in 1983, said, "It's a little sad (but) I feel it is time to do this."

She said business was very good over the first 10 years of operation but business declined when chain stores came to town.

"There are more places to spend."

On Christmas sales, Nikiforuk said 1998 was only slightly better than 1997.

Four staff, two full-time and one part-time employees will be affected by the closing. But another full-time employee will go over to the Nikiforuk family's other concern, Jan's Card & Gift in the Centre Square Mall.

Some of the store's lines of merchandise will be transferred over to Jan's.

In the weeks ahead, Damoli's will be discounting merchandise significantly.

When Damoli's exits, it will be the second business to leave the Scotia Centre in as many months.

Last month, Ikon Office Solutions moved its sales office from the Scotia Centre to its Kam Lake service location.

Ikon manager Eric Knott said having service and sales in one location makes it easier to manage the business.

Mack Travel will also be moving out of Scotia Centre soon.

Mack Travel will consolidate into new offices in the old Jersey City location later this month, Mack Travel operations manager Allen Stanzell said.

Mack Travel will also occupy Lake Awry's Cap and Crest space. The cap and crest business will move to Mack Travel's old Yk Centre spot vacated Dec. 20.

Stanzell said no jobs will be lost due to the consolidation.

"One location is easier to manage than two," he said.