Vaughan fashionistas are in danger of being left out in the cold if the Hide House can’t turn around its financial fortunes.

The Acton-based leather fashion and furniture retailer has filed its intention to make a proposal to its creditors under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, leaving the future of its Woodbridge location in limbo.

Inventory must be cleared immediately at its three stores, including the shop at 57 Northview Blvd., company officials said in a statement released Wednesday.

The move is intended to buy the company time to reorganize its finances and reduce its costs, said John Brison, Hide House president.

“Warm weather early in the season, cross-border shopping and increased overheads from expansion created a perfect storm of negative business variables during the fourth quarter of 2007,” he said.

Though the Hide House’s familiar slogan — It’s worth the drive to Acton — has beckoned shoppers to the company’s birthplace for years, it had expanded into Toronto and, most recently, Woodbridge.

The retailer will try to “continue to service the Southern Ontario marketplace from, at the very least, its flagship store in Acton,” indicating that both the downtown Toronto and Vaughan leather stores are on shaky ground.

Danbury Sales has been brought in to direct the liquidation of the Hide House’s inventory, which includes short and full-length coats, leather and suede sportswear, motorcycle apparel, wool coats and accessories.

The furniture collection includes hand-crafted leather sofas, chairs, recliners, accent pieces, ottomans, and dining room suites.

Vaughan Today
Online: February 28, 2008 [link]