Rankin Inlet (Oct 27/03) - The end of a business era is close at hand in Rankin Inlet.

Tittaq Office Products Ltd., a staple of Rankin since the early 1990s, will be closing its doors once its current inventory is sold off, or on Dec. 15, whichever comes first. <

Joe Hildago and Martha Iguptak are two of seven full-time employees affected by the news that Tittaq Office Supplies Ltd. will be closing its doors for good this winter. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The shutdown will also include the store's furniture and Radio Shack outlets, resulting in the loss of seven full-time jobs.

Tittaq Office Products Ltd. is a member of the Evaz Group.

Store manager Pat Reimer said a lack of local support for the store led to mounting financial losses that could no longer be absorbed by the parent organization.

"The sales just aren't there any more because too many people are ordering from international giants such as Grand & Toy, rather than buying locally," said Reimer.

"We've done our best, but the bottom line is we're not in business to lose money."

Reimer said the company has made sure every employee affected by the closure will have another position to move to.

"There's nobody just getting a pink slip and that's it.

"We've worked hard to position all our employees elsewhere, some within the Evaz Group and some within other organizations."

No connection to warehouse

While another Evaz Group company (Keewatin Property Management) was awarded the contract to establish a liquor warehouse and distribution centre in Rankin, Reimer said there is still no definitive word on future plans for the Tittaq Mall building.

"One thing has absolutely nothing to do with the other.

"The decision to close Tittaq came about after a number of years of losing money.

"It was decided to get out (of business) by year's end before we lose another huge amount."

Can't compete with large chains

Reimer said the Tittaq closure is a prime example of what happens when a small business has to compete against a major international chain.

"Where we might be able to purchase 200 of some items, a company like Grand & Toy can purchase two million of them and we can't compete, price wise, against that type of buying power.

"Our only hope is support at the community level and we just weren't getting it.

"The store's closure is the end result of that lack of support."