THUNDER BAY -- After nearly five decades serving the John Street Road community in Thunder Bay, Cozy Corner Store will close its doors on Tuesday, October 31.
Owner Joy Dagenais says it started as a family operation in 1969, and two decades later she and her husband took it over from her in-laws.
The family also operated a towing business and vehicle compound on the property.
Dagenais said a city bylaw and one neighbour's complaint about the presence of the storage compound are responsible for the closure.
City Hall, she said, did grant a two-year extension to allow her to tie things up and find another location to move the towing business to.
Cozy's Towing will relocate to the other side of the city, on Rosslyn Road, but the store is shutting down.
Dagenais said it's a difficult time for her.
"It is very upsetting. It's hard to leave. My husband and I were here for many years with our family. The neighbourhood is like family members to us."
She said many customers have been coming by to say how sorry they are, and how much they will miss the store.
"This is very emotional for me," she added.
In a Facebook posting, Dagenais noted that in the years that followed its opening as a restaurant and variety store, Cozy Corner also served as a neighbourhood gathering place.
"We witnessed many of the neighbourhood children grow from birth to adult, many who will never be forgotten...Thank you from all the Dagenais family. You have given me many years of stories, support and memories."
As for the future of the property, Dagenais said it's possible that someone will want to purchase the building and set up another store or convert it to apartments, but she hasn't had time to work on that as yet.
