Tariffs, costs force Regina business owner to close Moose Jaw location

REGINA — A Regina business owner has shut down his candy store in Moose Jaw over challenges, including tariff costs.

Bruce Kozaz, owner of The Funky Gifter General Mercantile in Regina, announced his Moose Jaw location was closing as of Aug. 2, according to a Facebook post.

In his post, Kozaz cited staffing issues, tariffs, logistics, product availability, “management mistakes” and more as the reasons.

He also mentioned difficulty getting products into the store, while expenses far outweighed sales.

Kozaz had originally announced on June 25 that his Moose Jaw location would be closed for the entire week as he re-evaluated its future.

“To put it bluntly, the sales revenue just isn't there. Our daily sales are a fraction of our overall expenses,” he said at the time.

Kozaz also mentioned “tariffs and time” as the biggest reasons for considering closing down the store.

He had been working more than 96 hours between stocking his Regina location and working another job.

“[This] doesn't do wonders for the Moose Jaw shop.”

Kozaz also did “extensive research” on candy and snacks in terms of profit. While the profit margins are good, the turnover isn’t high enough to make the location sustainable.

“We would need to sell $1,464 in candy daily just to pay rent/staff/utilities, and even 7-11 doesn't sell that much candy daily.”

Despite closing his Moose Jaw location, Kozaz left the door open for returning upon improved market conditions, tariffs dropping or going away, and operating costs going down.

“There is definitely potential for a store to succeed out there.”

He also floated the idea of giving retailers wholesale opportunities.

As for his Regina location, it will continue to operate.