'Our hearts are broken': Glace Bay gift shop closing its doors after nearly 40 years in business
After nearly 40 years in business, Brenda and Mel Bryden are saying goodbye to their customers and their store.
The mom-and-pop style shop has been a fixture in Glace Bay, N.S., but the business has not be able to bounce back from the pandemic.
“Our business in the gift line is anniversary, weddings, baby showers, retirement parties, and they just weren't happening,” said Brenda Bryden.
The husband and wife team has seen a steady stream of businesses close over the years in downtown Glace Bay.
“Our hearts aren't where they should be. They're broken that we have to do it this way. It would have been better if we can sell it, but it’s not feasible for us to offer it to someone under the circumstances,” said Mel Bryden.
Mel's Gift and Trophies has been the backbone of many community events, offering engraved messages for every occasion.
It's work that Brenda Bryden takes great pride in.
“I remember when we first opened. Mel said we're going to open a store and you're going to learn to engrave, but I didn't know how, but I learned and today I’m very proud of what I do,” she said.
Relationships were formed over the years with community members and their customers.
“When a person dies now, we have to go to their funeral, because we felt like we're a part of their family now. It's a sad for us all here in town,” said Mel Bryden.
The Brydens feel the pandemic has pushed people to shop online and that has left mom-and-pop style shops like theirs behind.
“And then there's older people who are a little nervous to come to town by themselves, so it's a lot of little things that have added up to what it is right now,” said Brenda Bryden.
The remaining stock has been reduced and the store will remain open until everything is sold.
“She wanted to start it prior to Christmas, rather than after Christmas, to give her loyal customers a break on Christmas items. It's tough out there right now for everybody,” said Mel Bryden.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump picks Brooke Rollins to be agriculture secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Policy Institute, to be agriculture secretary.
7 suspects, including 13-year-old, charged following 'violent' home invasion north of Toronto
Seven teenage suspects, including a 13-year-old, have been arrested following a targeted and “violent” home invasion in Vaughan on Friday, police say.
Walking pneumonia is surging in Canada. Is this unusual?
CTVNews.ca spoke with various medical experts to find out the latest situation with the typically mild walking pneumonia in their area and whether parents should be worried.
Lotto Max jackpot climbs to $80M, tying record for largest prize
The Lotto Max jackpot has climbed to $80 million for just the second time in Canadian lottery history.
Widow of Chinese businessman who was executed for murder can sell her Vancouver house, court rules
A murder in China and a civil lawsuit in B.C. have been preventing the sale of multiple Vancouver homes, but one of them could soon hit the market after a court ruling.
Retiring? Here's how to switch from saving for your golden years to spending
The last paycheque from a decades-long career arrives next Friday and the nest egg you built during those working years will now turn into a main source of income. It can be a jarring switch from saving for retirement to spending in retirement.
Police thought this gnome looked out of place. Then they tested it for drugs
During a recent narcotics investigation, Dutch police said they found a garden gnome made of approximately two kilograms of MDMA.
Nations at UN climate talks agree on US$300B a year for poor countries in a compromise deal
Countries agreed on a deal to inject at least US$300 billion annually in humanity's fight against climate change, aimed at helping poor nations cope with the ravages of global warming at tense United Nations climate talks in the city where industry first tapped oil.
Joly, Blair condemn anti-NATO protest in Montreal that saw fires, smashed windows
Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying 'hatred and antisemitism' were on display, but protesters deny the claim, saying they demonstrated against the 'complicity' of NATO member countries in a war that has killed thousands of Palestinians.