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Vol. 120, Issue 49
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Page 11
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Waneta Mall stores unaffected from national restructuring
COOKIE CREATIONS
Trail Bootlegger and Ricki’s to remain open Ricki's and Bootlegger employees and shoppers will be happy to know the Waneta Mall locations will be staying open as the parent company closes stores and cuts staff across the country. Comark Inc., the Ontariobased company that runs Ricki's, Bootlegger and Cleo, announced last Thursday it had obtained a court order for creditor protection and would be closing stores and cutting jobs. Nick Anstett, spokesperson for Comark, says the two Waneta Mall women's clothing retailers and the 11 employees who work at the stores, will keep their jobs and doors open during the restructuring process. “It doesn't look like the Bootlegger (in Trail) is going to be affected, and it doesn't look like Ricki's is either,” he said, adding that there are stores closing, just not in the Silver City. “Some under-performing stores are being closed down. I think there are about 56 (of the country's 300 stores) closing in total, across all three brand banners and across the country, but none in Trail.” Comark CEO Gerry Bachynski
says the few store closures and reconstruction of the Comark brand will result in a company that can weather an economic storm. “Together, we are firmly committed to emerging from creditor protection financially stronger, more competitive and well-positioned for the future,” he said in a press release. While many other Canadian retailers are closing up shop for good, Anstett says this isn't the same situation. “At the time we made the announcement (about restructuring) the message was that the vast majority of stores are going to remain open for business,” he said. “The idea is to do a bit of restructuring to get the financial house in order. “Unlike Future Shop, Mexx or Target, who are just completely closing everything down, we don't have the same idea. “Hopefully, we will emerge from this as a much stronger and competitive company.” According to Statistics Canada, retail spending in Canada has been on a steady decline since December, and along with the introduction of foreign competitors like Forever 21 and H&M, has resulted in a desperate situation for domestic clothing sellers.
BY TIMES STAFF A student at Glenmerry Elementary School thought to have meningitis has tested negative. The potential case of the bacterial infection was announced to be the second case in the school in the last few months, but Interior Health (IH) has confirmed that recent tests done on the student have come back clear. “I have just learned that the recent suspect meningitis case was not meningitis but rather a bacterial disease that had symptoms
similar to meningitis,” said Karl Hardt, communications officer with IH. “IH can confirm that there are no public health implications and no increased risk for other students and staff or the community.” A couple of weeks ago, it was still thought to be meningitis, but a different form than a student previously diagnosed in January. In the first case, a student was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, and was healthy and back at school before the second potential case came to light.
BY LIZ BEVAN Times Staff
Tests results negative for meningitis
LIZ BEVAN PHOTO
Families gathered at the Warfield Community Hall on Saturday for an afternoon of Easter festivities. The events included facepainting, cookie decorating, crafts and of course, an Easter egg hunt in the community hall playground. See more photos on Page 2.
GIANT EASTER EGG HUNT AT WANETA PLAZA Saturday April 4 9:30am sharp
Children 3 years and under meet by Bootlegger or Suzanne’s Children 4, 5 & 6 meet outside the mall behind No Frills Children 7, 8 & 9 meet in the upper parking lot
Good Friday stat hours 11am-4pm
Have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny 9:30 am to 11:30 am 4x6 print $8
www.wanetaplaza.com 5 min. east of Trail on Hwy 3B
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN866-897-0678 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012