It's the end of a retail era. The Charleswood Department store is closing its doors this weekend after nearly 60 years in the community.
"I'm really sad that one of Winnipeg’s last independent department stores is closing," said Vienna Badiuk.
The store's owner, Ike Kraut, passed away suddenly at the age of 81 on July 1 after suffering from a heart attack.
Kraut's family, including a wife and four children, have now decided to close the iconic store, known primarily for women's clothing.
His daughter-in-law says Ike was always planning to close the doors once he retired.
"None of us were planning to take over the store,” said Harriet Kraut. “Now, that it happened a little before he planned to retire, we just feel we would like to do it in the way he had talked about it, and I think that would be a tribute to him."
Harriet says she hopes another store fills the space in the area. The Charleswood Department Store will be open until Sunday.
