Le Baron Bankrupt ???

[beretta boy]

I used to visit the old store at Yonge and Cummer in North York back in the day ... cause it was convenient, mostly fishing tackle 'cause Holman & Hickey and Hallam's were my
go-to gun shops.

Was last at the Markham store about 5 years ago ... to buy jeans, the only kind I liked. They always seemed to have them. You guessed it "Out of Stock". Have been buying them mail-order from Cabela's in the U.S. ever since ... Cabela's Canada doesn't carry them, store or catalogue.

Have heard about Sylvia Baron from a few Sporting Goods distributors, store owners, and sales reps. Seems she wasn't on their Christmas Card list.

 

[K-Roc]

I would go there with a big list of things to buy and leave empty handed because nothing was in stock. Go to the gun counter and ask to see a rifle and the guy behind the counter would roll his eyes and sigh before going to get it (if it was in stock). How dare I ask to see a gun that I want to buy.

Sometimes there would be 10+ people waiting to be served at the gun counter while the 3 employees "working it" would be huddled all around a single customer chatting and laughing it up.

I was wondering if they were just acting like that to me bc I wasn't over 40 and was a noob lol.

I remember once the item wasn't in stock and I asked if they could call me when it was in. The clerk in the gun room let out a huge sigh, rolled his eyes, and took my info. As he was taking my info I though to myself, "Ok, I am done here" It seemed everything in that gun room was always out of stock.

There were nice ppl at the ammo counter and their prices were good on that so I went back a few times... but didn't bother with the rest of the store.

Sometimes, especially with older family run businesses, as decades go by they stop trying, stop innovating, maybe the son/wife/friend is now running the store and they dont care as much, or maybe the person is simply stubborn and wont relinquish power, maybe they already made enough money and dont care anymore, they just keep 'driving the bus" and waiting for the wheels to fall off while trying to make the last dollar.

I have a feeling it was probably a bad place to work at bc the store felt like the owner/management didn't give a $h!t. I feel sorry for the employees and I hope they get new jobs at Sail and Cabales.

 

[sherlockbonez]

Just got back from markham store, got some ammo, a coleman stove and some clothes.

 

[cereal83]

Are they having a super sale? I called but they said business as normal

 

[1899]

Are they having a super sale? I called but they said business as normal

Their website is basically a landing page and nothing else. Catalogues are down.

 

[AP]

Are they having a super sale? I called but they said business as normal

I was there as well (Markham Store) at 11:00 am when it opened and honestly didnt think that it was such a big deal sale. 10% on Ammo and components ... I think you got more when the "Club LeBaron" card was used (15% IIRC) ... was looking for very specific things shooting related and they had none of it: no G96 (although I did get a tube of the G96 gun blue); no Burris XTB 'A' Bolt steel scope mounts; no 'snap caps' in standard calibres; no bronze brushes for the PH style rods I use; a few pretty low-end gun cases. I didnt bother to check bullet prices as they were basically the old price with a small (10%) discount and they didnt have much selection other than the high end (guaranteed not to fail) fancy hunting styles ... IDK .. honestly seemed like it had all been picked over before ... YMMV

I did not check the firearms - a couple of guys were chatting with the staff etc there - nor did I check out the fishing stuff ... but there was lots of folks checking out that kit

I am very sorry that they are going. I recall years ago that before LeBarons arrived in Toronto the few gunstores there were charged usurious prices for their 'well shopworn' and very limited selection of guns. Eatons was probably the best deal back then ... But LeBarons made them all a lot more competitive.....or just ignored.

 

[Exlibris]

Their website is basically a landing page and nothing else. Catalogues are down.

Catalogues are still up if you know the direct link: http://www.lebaron.ca/fall_catalogue/fall_eng_cat/fall_in_progress_en.html

I'm heading there after work to see if there is any ammo left that I want, then that'll be that, I imagine.

 

[thepolinator]

Don't waste your time going to the going out of business sale in Ottawa. I was just there, there are big signs saying whole store 20% off and up and up to 50% off. All of the store is 20% off except 2 racks of clothing (which is 50% off) and ammo (which is 10% off unless you have a club card, making it 20%). Club cards can only be used on ammo (seems like us club card members are getting the shaft). There were huge lines to get to the cash and the gun counter...

 

[2tall2]

Their website is basically a landing page and nothing else. Catalogues are down.

Website works. It is still the same terrible website it's been for years.
On the home page, you need to select 'english' or 'french' but it's a little obscured by the graphics.

 

[Pblatzz]

Wow, so many good and bad memories, bought my first rifle at LeBarons in the 80's, first hand gun Enfield No2MkI for $49. Bins of swed bayonets $10ea, bins of kurkris $15, Fur hats, tons of mil surpuss. But, as mentioned, they didn't care to keep up nor give good service.

 

[AP]

Don't waste your time going to the going out of business sale in Ottawa. I was just there, there are big signs saying whole store 20% off and up and up to 50% off. All of the store is 20% off except 2 racks of clothing (which is 50% off) and ammo (which is 10% off unless you have a club card, making it 20%). Club cards can only be used on ammo (seems like us club card members are getting the shaft). There were huge lines to get to the cash and the gun counter...

You are correct -- I just looked at my (expired) Club LeBaron card and it was only 10% off ... but I am surprised they are giving 20% with the club card ... mine says that the "10% off all regular priced items" ... I presumed that it wouldnt apply therefore to the sale priced ammo... anyway .. if you get 20% thats not too shoddy!!

 

[Richie Hastings]

In actuality you are saving 7% minimum (HST).... pass.

 

[norlandgeese]

Stittsville has always sold powder. I live just down the road from them, they are my go to place for "I need it right now and can't wait" reloading supplies.

I quit shopping at Lebaron around 2009. I would go there with a big list of things to buy and leave empty handed because nothing was in stock. Go to the gun counter and ask to see a rifle and the guy behind the counter would roll his eyes and sigh before going to get it (if it was in stock). How dare I ask to see a gun that I want to buy.

Sometimes there would be 10+ people waiting to be served at the gun counter while the 3 employees "working it" would be huddled all around a single customer chatting and laughing it up.

My very first post on this forum I was accused of being a shill for Lebaron because of my username lol

I always wondered if most of the Ottawa location emloyees were related to the owner or at least the management, causing them to feel safe in being rude to customers. Until I got to deal with the store "manager" one day and I realized where the employees got their attitudes from. Oh my goodness I hope no local retailer hires ex-Ottawa-LeBaron-managers unless they want to fail.

 

[Exlibris]

Went out to the Ottawa store. Most of the ammo I was looking for had sold out (or was never in stock to begin with), but I did get a few boxes. Current sale was 50% off clothing, 20% off everything else other than ammo (including firearms), and 10% off ammo (or 15% off ammo with a valid Le Baron club card).

 

[K-Roc]

My guess they have known for months and have let stock lapse and dwindle worse than even usual... somewhat tempted to go in but probably won't bother. I know nothing will be in stock I want lol

 

[Rumble_b]

Like many others I'm not a fan due to some bad experiences there a few times. I decided to go to the Markham store today anyway. It was a zoo and the deals were not that great. I still grabbed a few things and waited for ever to pay. I will say that they will go out on a good note for me. The ammo was 10% off but didn't have what I wanted of course. The lady offered another brand at 20% off so I took it. Can't complain about that.

 

[bigbull]

I always liked to shop there, I got along great with all the staff and liked their service.
I always thought they had the best prices in everything they sold among the large retailers.
I didn't always get what I wanted but then again.......... I never got what I wanted at the Bass Pro, Wholesale Sports or Cabelas either.
If this turns out to be true this is a sad day for all of us.
BB

 

[rkm456]

My guess they have known for months and have let stock lapse and dwindle worse than even usual... somewhat tempted to go in but probably won't bother. I know nothing will be in stock I want lol

It's only worth it if there was something you were intending to pay full price for. I was off today and had intended to head to LeBaron today when I booked the day off last week before finding out about any of this bankruptcy business. They were offering the best price on .45acp (100 rounds for just under 50 bucks) with the discount it was a little closer to $45, nothing earth shattering, but as I said, I was planning to buy it anyways. Same with the other odds and ends that will be my nephews Christmas gift in the form of a tackle box.

I do always have a chuckle at people buying stuff because it's on sale though.

 

[rkm456]

Oh, and even with a massive lineup they only had 2 of 3 cashes open. Stubborn to the bitter end, lol.

 

[Exlibris]

Oh, and even with a massive lineup they only had 2 of 3 cashes open. Stubborn to the bitter end, lol.

When I arrived at 3:15 PM there was only 1 cash open. They only opened up the second cash because I had a laundry list of ammo (they only had like 3 out of 10 that I wanted, and the guy was very surly about having to go around finding ammo in the cabinets that surely he knows by now).