It’s the end of a longstanding love affair for me, one which has lasted decades.
Letting go is never easy but I shall cherish the memories.
I’m not talking about getting rid of a husband or lover or even a pet although I am guilty of them all.
No, I am referring to my relationship with the Hudson’s Bay Company, yet another casualty of the brick and mortar shopping experience.
Although founded in 1670 under a charter issued by England’s King Charles II, the Bay, as we have affectionately called her, didn’t enter into my purview until the late 1960’s.
Like many of you I am sure, my first real job was with the Hudson’s Bay. In my case, it was the Richmond store.
I was in high school, a drugstore-bottled summer blonde of 16. I was getting ready to go to work at the Bay’s jewelry department. I ironed my hair (back then I used a real iron) and put on my adorable sleeveless shift I made from a Simplicity pattern. (It had to be a simple pattern as I had failed Sewing class as I couldn’t figure out how to put a zipper in a dress). A dab of makeup and Caramel Kiss on my lips and I was ready to go.
My older brother then tapped on my door and suggested we smoke some weed before I departed. Weed as in illegal marijuana as it was in the 1960s.
I vehemently declined. He insisted, saying our mother was growing it for him in the back garden.
I was horrified as I reminded said brother that our father was a cop!
He persisted and I gave in and smoked a few tokes with him. Well, maybe more than just a few. Then I caught the bus to work.
I remember taking the escalator, which actually was in good working order, and espied someone I knew. I hollered a cheerful greeting in a rather exuberant and booming voice and carried on a cursory conversation.
My next recollection is helping a customer try on a watch she liked. I couldn’t for the life of me fasten the strap so I suggested she try on one with an expandable wristband. I didn’t give her the option of saying No.
That’s all I remember except for the part where I was fired.
Did I harbor resentment towards the grand dame of retail?
Absolutely not.
In fact, at age 19, I applied for my first Bay credit card.
At age 22, having returned from living in Europe for a couple of years. I moved to a Vancouver apartment without a job. I went back to the Bay in Richmond to purchase everything a nubile gal would need to fill up her little nest. Four coffee mugs (I still have 3 of them), large colorful pillows, bedding, dishes and a Lloyds stereo to play my Marvin Gaye records on.
I proffered my Bay card only to have it rejected. Too many years had transpired without my using it.
I was humiliated.
I demanded to speak to the Manager and turned on the waterworks.
They worked. He made me promise to pay for my items once I got a job. I promised I would (it took me 6 weeks to find one). He helped me load the items into my used Toyota for which I was paying $58 a month. Without a job! Go figure. How times have changed.
Through the years, I have remained a loyal customer.
I’m going to miss the old girl.
I wonder if she feels the same way about me.
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