The Body Shop Canada’s four Winnipeg locations will remain open following the company’s sale to a private equity firm.
The new owner, Ontario-based Serruya Private Equity, stated Monday none of the four Winnipeg stores will close, nor will any local staff members lose their jobs.
The Body Shop Canada has locations in St. Vital Centre, CF Polo Park, Outlet Collection Winnipeg and Kildonan Place.
Serruya is purchasing 59 of 72 Body Shop Canada stores, court documents show. It means 13 outlets will close nationwide.
The Body Shop Canada chain has been up for sale since July. It began shopping itself around after filing for creditor protection in March. At the time, it closed 33 stores (including one in Brandon) and blamed its parent company for stripping it of cash and pushing it into debt.
An Ontario court approved Serruya Private Equity’s purchase of a majority of the Body Shop Canada last week. The equity firm is led by the co-founder of Yogen Früz. It has invested in St. Louis Bar and Grill, Second Cup and Swensen’s, among other businesses.
Winnipeg makes top 5 on affordable cities list
Winnipeg has ranked fourth on the Globe and Mail’s annual “most livable cities” list. It follows three British Columbia cities: North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Victoria.
Last year, Winnipeg took third place in the national newspaper’s list. It was also named the best city for raising children.
— Free Press staff
