Bustin’s Fine Furniture closes after 110 years in Saint John

WATCH ABOVE: After more than a century, Bustin’s Fine Furniture has announced plans to close its doors for good. Global’s Andrew Cromwell reports.

SAINT JOHN – After 110 years serving customers out of the same Germain Street location, Bustin’s Fine Furniture will be closing its doors.

Owner Bob Bustin said they were looking for another location, but nothing fit.

“I’ve been here 41 years, I think its time too, a good time to break loose and leave a 110 years behind and see what the future holds for me,” he said.

Bustin, who pointed to the 100th anniversary as a highlight, said they were proud to serve many people over the years.

“We’ve had customers, generations of customers come and purchase from us over the years and we have gotten to know them and that’s what we’ve tried to make ourselves, a family atmosphere,” he said. “We don’t put high pressure on people to make purchases.”

The service, like allowing customers to take items home to try out, is one thing that sticks with customers.

“If it wasn’t, then they’d replace with something better,” said customer Mike Haynes.

Historica Properties bought the Bustin’s property last year and its co-founder promises the space will continue to be spectacular.

“I would say it would probably be a dozen apartments in that building once we kind of finalize things but it looks like twelve apartments,” said Brideau.

The city of Saint John by-laws require that the ground floor maintain a commercial space.

The departure of Bustin’s and closure of nearby Birks jewelers, which has also been in the city for decades, marks a definite change to the uptown landscape.

A local business association says while this is a bittersweet time, there is hope for new development.

“We are certainly seeing more business, more families moving in uptown, more residents. We’re seeing a lot of condos and residential so we’re moving with we’re moving with the tide,” said Nancy Tissington of Uptown Saint John.

Bustin’s is expected to close for good sometime in September.