The Bay.. I Remember.

Apparently.. Eaton’s does tell The Bay its business .. and they’ve followed suit through completion of another Canadian business life cycle. 🌻✨🍁🇨🇦

Grandma held tight to my hand as we walked, pulling me and nudging me to walk as fast as my little legs and my distracted attention would allow. I felt safe, optimistic about our day, excited to be going downtown with so much to do and see!

We would always go to The Hudson Bay. And to Eatons. What treat would I get this week?, There was always a treat, and sometimes I would get to help pick something for my brothers too. It felt so good. I felt happy. There was such great common energy downtown. We would stop here and there to say hello to friends she knew. You could hear the bell from the cable cord trolley busses downtown. (Back then, the busses still had cables that connected on the roof of the busses on the main routes downtown Calgary). In the basement of the two competing department stores were the discount and bargain market. I remember being dragged and rushed around to all of the bargains and sale displays.

After a stop at the cafeteria in Eaton’s for a light lunch, tea and desert, Grandma would take hold of my hand again and we would walk over to Centre Street; where the Bon Ton Bakery was. We would buy various baked goods. Seemed like all of the adults and older folks knew exactly when to go, to ensure they were able to buy their fresh goods and the infamous “Bon Ton Meat Pies”. It used to be a weekly tradition for a lot of Calgarians. I’m guessing that The Bay and Eatons department stores originally pioneered the incentive and creation of TD Square as well as the entire Calgary downtown retail and business infrastructure.

All of that aside. When I think of The Bay.. I remember My Grandma. I remember Eatons. I remember Cable Busses. I remember less cars and parking lots … we walked. I remember the smells at the Bon Ton Bakery and the air downtown Calgary. I remember a time when I trusted a woman who guided me and held tight to my hand and never let go. It’s sad to see loved ones go. There are some things and people in our lives that become so ingrained in our development and shaping our lives .. that we will never forget how they made us feel. It felt good. Thank you Hudson Bay Company. Thanks for the memories and for helping shape a little part of Canadian’s lives in cities and towns from PEI to the Gulf Islands. Thank you for pioneering a huge part of Canadian history.

Peace, Love & Light xo

Dana Mary Colleen Campbell

Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

June 2, 2025