Smiths Falls Target closes Sunday, ending 100 jobs
The Smiths Falls Target store will close on Sunday, ending 100 jobs, after the retail giant announced it will discontinue all operations in Canada.
It's a double blow for the eastern Ontario town, as a Staples store in the same mall is set to close on Saturday.
Colin Cassell said his mother and girlfriend both lost jobs at the Smiths Falls Target.
"It's just another empty store, like a lot of stores in this town — they're empty or they're going bankrupt or they're just they can't do it anymore," he said.
The former so-called chocolate capital of Canada had to redefine its identity after the old Hershey factory shut down in 2008, leaving about 600 people out of work.
Tweed, a medical marijuana grow-op, moved into part of the old factory in 2014, promising 100 new jobs.
Town councillor Dawn Quinn said the job losses are difficult but residents remain hopeful.
"One thing I'll say about Smiths Falls: we've been through a lot and we're pretty resilient. We bounce back," Quinn said. "We look for the positive side."
