It’s been a Vancouver institution since 1919, and home of the legendary annual shoe sale, but it was announced today that Army & Navy is closing permanently.
In a statement Saturday, owner Jacqui Cohen said she has made the difficult decision to permanently close after they were forced to shutter all five of their stores and temporarily layoff their staff.
“We had hoped to re-open but the economic challenges of COVID-19 have proven insurmountable,” she said.
“I am full of gratitude for our staff and their years of service, our suppliers with whom we forged decades-long relationships, and of course our loyal customers who were at the heart of our business.”
Cohen noted that at this time last year they were celebrating the centenary of Army & Navy — a company her grandfather started in 1919 — and they were looking forward to the years ahead.
Army & Navy has operated in eight communities in Western Canada for the last 101 years.
Canada’s Original Discount Store
Founder Samuel Joseph Cohenwas born in San Francisco in 1897. He came to BC and at 19, he acquired his first stock by buying out a men’s clothing store in Kamloops. He founded Army & Navy as a surplus store on West Hastings in 1919 with his father Jacob Solomon Cohen and brothers Joseph and Henry, eventually owning five stores. Cohen shunned the limelight, telling a reporter, “If I want any advertising, I’ll pay for it.” Army & Navy was cash only, offering “no credit cards, deliveries or fancy store fixtures.” His motto was “Get the goods sold—there’s always more to follow.” [Source: History of Metropolitan Vancouver by Chuck Davis]
Cohen opened a second store in Regina in the 1800 block of Scarth Street in 1920 and, in 1925, the mail-order headquarters. The first Army and Navy store in Edmonton opened in 1928, north of Jasper Avenue on the west side of 101 Street. Cohen’s brothers, Joseph Cohen of Vancouver and Harry Cohen from Edmonton, joined him in the business. [Source: Canadian Museum of History]
The New Westminster, BC, store opened in 1939.
During the Depression in Saskatchewan
Cohen was sensitive to the situation of prairie farmers and their need for practical, inexpensive goods. On retiring as manager of the Regina store, Cec Keiser was quoted in The Leader-Post, April 30, 1977: “Sammy was always concerned with the poor people and many of our customers in the 1930s were farm families and those on relief.” [Source: Canadian Museum of History]
Self-Serve Shoe Department
During the Second World War, Army and Navy was the first store in Western Canada to introduce self-serve shoe departments, with tables dedicated to individual sizes. The retailer became famous for its shoe sales, for which people would line up around an entire city block. Following the war, Army and Navy again carried army surplus goods. [Source: Canadian Museum of History]
1942 Army and Navy Annex. Archives #CVA 1184-330
Cohen said she will be spending the weeks ahead ensuring the women and men who have worked for Army & Navy have their support, and will focus on the philanthropic work of Face the World, an organization she created 30 years ago to support the city’s most vulnerable.
In the current climate, supporting local is now more important than ever. There are many ways you can show care for those in-need in our communities and I’ve found inspiration thanks to local companies like Public Myth, who recently made a clothing donation to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (“DEWC”).
Clothing Donations for Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
Public Myth is an ethically-made, eco-friendly activewear brand known mostly for bamboo styles. The company is proudly Vancouver based, and all garments are designed and produced in the city. To say thank you for the support from the community during these times, Public Myth has donated over 100 pieces of clothing to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.
At this time the DEWC is only able to accept donations of new items, this makes it difficult to provide clothing for all those in need. Public Myth is asking that if you have any new and unused items that you consider donating them to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.
I spoke with Public Myth to learn more about their initiative:
How has COVID-19 impacted Public Myth?
We’re very thankful to be able to say that COVID-19 has not yet made a significant impact on Public Myth. Due to COVID-19 we were forced to temporarily close our Vancouver showroom, which welcomed members of our community daily. Although the closure of our showroom has resulted in lost sales, we’re very fortunate that we were already set up to sell online and did not have to struggle with the set up of our online store. The pandemic has also brought more local awareness to the brand as more people are at home searching for local companies to support, which we love.
Public Myth is a global brand, how important is it for the company to give back locally, to its Vancouver community?
Giving back to our Vancouver community is extremely important to us. All of our design and manufacturing is done in Vancouver and we do our best to order all necessary supplies from local businesses. Having all manufacturing done in the city supports our community and economy by giving locals jobs, this also ensures that all workers are paid and treated fairly.
New clothing (e.g. ordered straight from store or supplier)
Sweatshirts
Jackets
Leggings/tights/stockings
T-shirts
Pants
Underwear, socks, bras
Rain gear (ponchos/umbrellas)
Health/Personal Protective Equipment
Masks (medical and/or cloth)
Gloves
Sanitizer
Wipes
Toiletries (individual/travel-sized):
Razors/shaving cream
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap
Lotion
Deodorant
Feminine hygiene supplies:
Pads
Tampons
Incontinence supplies (ex. Depends, Tena, Poise)
Accessories:
Hair accessories
Make-up
Miscellaneous:
Puzzle books, activity books
Lighters
Due to COVID-19, they ask that donations be mailed to: Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre 302 Columbia St Vancouver, BC V6A 4J1
Paying it forward by making donations is a great way to show care for those in need in times like these. For more information on possible drop-off options and donations visit the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre website.
Welcome to another virtual event list, peppered with farmers market essentials! There’s a nice lineup of things to do in Vancouver this weekend (online or otherwise) including Mother’s Day ideas.
On May 6, 2020, the Government of BC release its BC Restart Plan, a multi-phase model for re-opening the province with enhanced protocols and the utmost caution. It is the first in a series of steps to protect people and ensure the province can come back from COVID-19 stronger than before. If transmission rates remain low or continue to decline, we’ll have more entertainment options available June through September. Let’s all do our part, stay safe, and work toward a healthy province!
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend (Virtually and More)
I really didn’t want to write a blog post about this because I believe the information you read should come directly from the Government of BC and Health Officials. However, if I can spread the message of BC’s Restart Plan for COVID-19 far and wide, I will! I encourage you to read the full plan here, in this PDF.
BC’s Restart Plan for COVID-19
From the report:
As of May 1, 2020, more than 2,100 British Columbians have tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 100 people have died.
As the pandemic hit BC, we asked British Columbians to do their part, and they took action to stay home and help flatten the curve. With each day, the rate of growth in COVID-19 cases has steadily declined and more than 1,350 people have recovered. And we have the lowest mortality of any jurisdiction in North America or Europe with a population of more than five million.
BC’s Restart Plan is the first in a series of steps to protect people and ensure the province can come back from COVID-19 stronger than before.
