A Sad Walk, Downtown

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November 30, 2024, a Saturday. 
A little snow on ground, more due this week. No question, winter is here for the next while.

Yesterday was Black Friday, the shopping spectacular around the continent, anticipating Christmas '24 by a month .

So, at 2pm I got out for a walk, as I try to do daily. The problem is generally, Where To? 

Downtown on a Saturday afternoon seemed like a good bet, especially since Christmas shopping should be on the agenda. Plus, I had a small list of items that would be welcome in the house. Some Cheesies snacks, a slim 3 ring binder, that sort of thing.

Just back now, and on reflection it was a sad experience.
It's not to early to say Downtown is Dead. I'd say it's probably at 20 percent functionality.
Very few pedestrians on the streets, sidewalks, or store aisles. Not much car traffic for that matter. Easy to jaywalk.

I'm a slow walker, and no one passed me in an hour of walking.

As for stores and shops, the scene was just as dismal. Some examples:
Muirheads Stationers - tho' that's no longer their name - for many decades the pre-eminent stationary and office supply sore in the region was along the path, on the main drag (Elm). Closed. Not open Sat. or Sun.

Grocery Store - subleased 1/2 space to national franchise coffee shop - for starters, though there remained an internal connection and the thought that they might share staff. The shelves were not, repeat not, empty. That's cuz each item had it's own face fronting presentation, e.g.   12 bottles of cleaning fluid took up about 6 linear feet of shelf. Contents were probably 10 percent of what one might ordinarily expect in a functioning shop like this. Might have been 2 other customers in the 400 sq.m. of floor area.

Optometrist had given up his space and had moved in with the mall Optician.

Hart Department store have given over half their space, inclusive of storefront, to some pop up like discount mess, where the goods are thrown into various waist height bins.

Pharmacy - General store with the primary entrance on the main street closed, probably contrary to their site plan. Pedestrian access is inconveniently around back, near to the parking area.

Clinic - might close early...