A longtime clothing store in Cornwall is closing its doors after more than a century in business. Kastners Men’s and Ladies Wear owner Ahron Langburt tells CTV News Ottawa he hopes to close the First Street East business by the end of next January. The business is Cornwall’s oldest and largest retailer, offering a wide selection of quality clothing for all occasions. “This store is a Cornwall institution,” Langburt said. “I tell my clients it’s never the right time, but it’s time.” Langburt says he’s planning to move on with the next chapter of his life. At 64-years-old, he’s seen the retail landscape change, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. “Retail’s become difficult the way we do it. The personal service, the selection of product, better quality, better pricing. It’s an old-school, old-fashioned way of doing it and the next generation, they just don’t get it, they don’t appreciate it,” he said. He says he first started coming to the store at the age of 10 and his family is only the second to own it. “Every spring break, every summer vacation. My brothers, my cousins, we all spent a lot of time working here, learning the ropes, learning the business,” he said. On Thursday, signs indicating a liquidation sale with sales of up to 80 per cent off were in the windows. While some customers were there in search of deals, others remember coming to the store for years, “I’ve been coming here since I was young,” said customer Carol Leroux. “Lots of outfits for weddings and what not.” The store is leaving lasting memories for its staff and customers, and is soon to be missed by the community. “It’s going to be missed by us and by our customers too,” Langburt said.
