'Cherished' downtown shop closing doors, going online only

A beloved downtown business is closing up shop after making the “difficult decision to transition to an online-only model.”

Stork + Bundle, a popular store that specializes in high-quality baby gear, first opened in 2010 at 715 Queen St. E. The doors will be locked for the last time on May 31.

“It’s not goodbye,” wrote owner Kristi Cistaro, in a Friday night Facebook post. “It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of our retail store-front of Stork + Bundle, after 14 wonderful years of proudly serving Sault Ste. Marie and its surrounding areas. 

“Over the years, our store has become a cherished part of the community, offering a unique selection of products and contributing to the local economy,” she continued. “However, as the retail landscape evolves, we have made the difficult decision to transition to an online-only model, effective June 1st, 2024.”

The post goes on to thank her “dedicated staff and loyal customers.”

“Your support and patronage has meant the world to us, and it has been our privilege to be a part of your lives,” she wrote. “We have had the joy of watching your families grow and being a part of the wonderful downtown community.”

Ironically enough, the announcement of the store’s closure came on the same day as a neighbouring building — the former Muio’s restaurant — reopened as Ojas, a plant-based eatery specializing in Asian fusion cuisine.

Cistaro served a stint as chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association after being acclaimed in 2018.

The building that houses Stork + Bundle is currently for sale, with an asking price of $159,900. The real estate listing notes that the property is “leased to a well-established children’s boutique” and that the “asking price is for land and building only and does not include the business.”

Below is the full text of the store’s Facebook post:

It’s not goodbye

It is with mixed emotions, that we announce the closure of our retail store-front of Stork + Bundle, after 14 wonderful years of proudly serving Sault Ste. Marie and its surrounding areas. Over the years, our store has become a cherished part of the community, offering a unique selection of products and contributing to the local economy. However, as the retail landscape evolves, we have made the difficult decision to transition to an online-only model, effective June 1st, 2024.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of our dedicated staff and loyal customers who have supported us throughout this journey. Your support and patronage has meant the world to us, and it has been our privilege to be a part of your lives. We have had the joy of watching your families grow and being a part of the wonderful downtown community.

As we prepare for this transition, we want to assure you that any existing gift cards will remain valid, though all sales will be final as of Monday, April 29th. Additionally, we will be offering store-wide discounts leading up to our last day in the store starting with 20% off as of today. Keep an eye out for further announcements with a detailed schedule for the sale. Thank you once again for your support, and we look forward to continuing to serve you in our new online venture.

Kristi and the team from Stork + Bundle