July 17th, 2008
It's a sad day when the
foundation on which its iconic and cultural significance is based is
lost in transaction.
The Hudson's Bay Company,
one of Canada's oldest existing organizations (founded in 1670), has
been subject to another mindless and extravagant takeover by a renegade
American proprietor, Richard Baker, who owns Lord & Taylor and a
few other big chains in the U.S.
His "big plans"
involve converting a few stores into Lord & Taylor, but that's not
the issue. Supposedly, according to The Toronto Star, Mr. Baker
plans on turning The Bay's signature flagship store into a Lord &
Taylor, completely abandoning the buildings' significant cultural presence
not only in Toronto but in Canada as a whole.
How did this come to be?
His children liked the merchandise
so much. It'd be like someone purchasing the Washington Monument and
turning it into a Dairy Queen. The local press, even national press,
would go haywire if that happened.
Purchasing a landmark is
ok, so long as it remains the same so as to not disturb any cultural
foundations of the location or region it represents. But purchasing
it and totally dismantling these icons into something that has no bearing
on the culture whatsoever is dangerous.
Baker purchased Fifth Avenue,
a big chain in the U.S., but kept the flagship store around. So why
is he ignoring Canadiana in favour of American capitalism?
Culture plays a huge role
in our societies, whether national or organizationl. The moment someone
comes in and attempts to knock down a thriving culture risks a big backlash,
even ostracization, from those whom he bought it off of or took control
from.
Perhaps it would be in Baker's
best interest to simply let it be. That way he'll be able to keep his
fortunes and reputation intact.
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