The Orillia Square mall is set to lose one of its longest-standing stores on Saturday.
An official from the GameStop Canada customer service team, who only provided a first name, told OrilliaMatters Saturday will be the store's final day of business.
"Many factors are taken into consideration when making a decision regarding a store closure including traffic, sales, staffing, rent, leases, etc.," said Rebecca. "At this time, we have no plans to move to another location in Orillia."
Officials from GameStop, formerly known as EB Games, were unable to comment directly about how the closure will impact staff members.
"We understand this is a difficult time for our affected team members and always do everything possible to relocate those we can," they said.
Loyal customer Sherry Inch says she has been an avid supporter of the store since its days as EB Games. She says she was "freaked" when she found out the store was closing.
"I've always shopped here," she said. "I come every weekend for the deals."
Inch says it was always a pleasure interacting with the staff at GameStop.
"They were very friendly," she said. "I feel bad for them."
She says GameStop had the best selection in town for games, controllers and collectibles.
"I also liked buying the sweatshirts and T-shirts," she said. "They had all kinds of things here, not just video games."
Inch believes a lack of foot traffic at the mall may have driven GameStop away from Orillia.
"The mall is really only busy on occasion and at Christmas," she said. "If they had more stores and restaurants up here, I think they would get a lot more people."
She also believes the evolution of technology may be to blame.
"We don't have any music stores with CDs anymore," she said. "I think, in a way, the internet has made it hard for a lot of businesses to make a dollar."
Because Inch doesn't drive, she says she won't be able to shop at the GameStop at Barrie's Georgian Mall.
"I don't know what I'll do now," she said. "I guess I'll be limited to my buying now."
Officials from the mall's management group did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
