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Gift shop closing its doors
Lauren McKeon Northern News Services Published Wednesday, April 8, 2009
"Langlois as we know it will be no more," said store owner Joni Walker. The store has been a fixture in Yellowknife, changing over the past two decades to meet the needs of its customers. Most recently, the store introduced high-quality toys, effectively becoming the city's only non-department store toy shop. But Walker said those craving high-quality toys, and other products Langlois is known for, like its bedding and chocolate, won't be entirely out of luck. "Some of the products will be available to our customers in town - it just won't be from us anymore," she said. "There will be someone who's wanting to come into the space. They will pick up the toys ... and a few other products that I carry, and then they'll do their own thing from there," she added. Walker was hesitant to blame the store's closure on the stagnant economy, but did say "definitely the economy has affected the overall state of the retail business for us." According to Statistics Canada, retail revenues have dropped nine per cent in the territory from January 2008 to January 2009. But for Walker, it's more about having some time to herself. She also runs the shop Chic Chik, upstairs, and while it will stay open for now, she called the store an "unknown," adding there was someone interested in the business. "A part of me is sad to see the old business go, but at the same time, change is going to be good," said Walker. "I'm looking forward to all the changes the rest of 2009 will bring," she added. The store owner is not the only one sad to see the business go. Already, she's had customers come into the store to lament its closure, especially ones who've been shopping for there for all of its 20 years. "They're disappointed and upset that its closing, because we've been here a long, long time," she said. Walker said she will spend some of the extra time normally devoted to running the business to spend with her grandchildren - and of course on herself. She plans to have the new owner into Langlois' space by May, in time for Yellowknife's 75th anniversary.
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