A retail staple in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek is preparing to close as Warehouse One moves to shut down operations across Canada.
Liquidation sales are already underway at the company’s 128 locations nationwide, including at the Dawson Creek Mall.
Employees at the Totem Mall location in Fort St. John confirmed the store is closing, though they say the final closing date has not yet been determined. Staff expect to know more by May 15.
The retailer, founded in 1977 announced Wednesday, it has begun proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, allowing the company to wind down operations in an orderly manner.
In a news release, Warehouse One said the decision followed a review of all available options.
Warehouse One currently operates stores under the Warehouse One and Bootlegger banners in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Yukon. The Bootlegger location in Grande Prairie will also close its doors as a result of the announcement.
A Manitoba court has granted an initial order preventing creditors from seeking repayment while the process moves forward.
Court documents filed in the case point to growing competition from online retailers and fast‑fashion brands, along with ongoing operational challenges and weak sales performance.
The company has relied on more than $39 million in shareholder and affiliate loans since 2020, but filings state those investors are no longer prepared to provide additional funding.
As a result, Warehouse One says it is unable to meet rent and payroll obligations and plans to return to court seeking approval to fully liquidate its remaining stores.