There has been a Hudson’s Bay store in downtown Vancouver since Jan., 17, 1887, when the city was less than a year old. But it will end June 1, when the landmark Bay store at Granville and Georgia will close.

The masses flooded into the store for The Bay’s bankruptcy sale in recent weeks, either to hunt for bargains or just to take a look around at the last days of a Canadian institution.

“It’s sad, honestly,” said shopper Niels Billou. “It’s an iconic part of Canadian history, part of the founding of this country. Everybody who grew up in Canada has gone and bought something from the Bay, whether it’s socks or bed sheets or the blankets.”

Sharon Best remembered getting her picture taken with Santa at The Bay when she was a child.

“It’s such a shame,” she said. “It’s the last of the de

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