Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 17/99) - And then there were three more.

Closures in Yellowknife's retail sector continue. The latest store to announce it will close is Fiddles & Stix Music Centre Ltd. in the ScotiaCentre.

Another recent closure -- Wayne Morrison's Forty Below Golf. Forty Below's assets have been advertised for sale.

Gord and Jessie Oystrek could not be reached to determine the fate of Ton Of Fun whose doors are locked to the public.

The Oystrek's opened Ton Of Fun a year ago. The amusement centre was the fourth of seven franchises. The first Ton Of Fun was started in Medicine Hat, Alta., by Lorien and Chester Henry. Neither Lorien nor Chester were immediately available for comment.

Fiddles & Stix owner Phil Lee said his music store will undergo a "gradual wind down."

The store was opened five years ago next month.

As well as the changing economy, Lee said the store has experienced "growth significant enough to warrant additional risk."

He described Fiddles & Stix as marginally profitable but the future outlook is not that good.

For students taking part in the store's instrument rental program, Lee says the program will continue until the end of the current school year.

Fiddles & Stix will be offering participants in the rental program an option to buy instruments.

Lee continues to be a partner in Yk consulting company, P&L and Associates, with Peggy Near. He is also an owner of the security company, SecureCheck, with Ron Near.

"Part of being a good businessman is knowing when to say it's time to quit," he said.

Other city businesses to close or make changes in the past three months include MilSpec army surplus, Eko Holistic Beauty, financing company Standard Acceptance, children's toy and clothing store Munchkins, Damoli's Card and Gift and the retail arm of Edgson's.

As well, Mack Travel combined its two operations. The Lens Shop and the Family Vision Centre were combined into one larger site.

Finally, Great Bear Chrysler went into receivership in mid-December.