Vancouver-area store Sports Corner is “hurting” as "another example of collateral damage" from the NHL lockout, according to Elliott Pap of the VANCOUVER SUN. Canucks jerseys are “still displayed everywhere in the store, racks upon racks of them, but many are collecting dust.” Store manager Mike Jackson yesterday said of the lockout, “It's had a huge impact on our business. We are way down. We are praying they get back to work and we can start selling stuff again. Right now, it is very grim." Jackson "fears" the store’s Robson outlet “might be forced to close its doors if the NHL cancels the entire season.” Jackson: "We'll survive a shortened season but I think we'll probably have to close the Robson store if there is no season at all. Compared to a normal season when the NHL is going, we're probably down a good 40 per cent. We carry the whole NHL but the Canucks are our driving force. Right now, we've had to discount our Canucks jerseys because we have bills to pay.” Pap notes Sports Corner is “predominantly a jersey, T-shirt and hat store.” In the “absence of an NHL market, it is trying” to survive on its CFL and NFL merchandise sales. The store’s Jersey City outlet in Richmond Centre has “moved its Canucks display towards the rear of the store.” Store manager Letitia Madden said that it is “receiving a lot of grief from frustrated hockey fans” (VANCOUVER SUN, 11/7).
