‘It’s worth the drive to Acton’: The Hide House set to close its doors after 165 years in business

By Fatima Raza, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca

The iconic Hide House in Acton is closing its doors after 165 years in business, marking the end of an era for the Canadian retailer known for high-quality leather goods and the famous slogan, “It’s worth the drive to Acton.”

Starting Nov. 1, a massive in-store liquidation will offer discounts of up to 50 per cent off on a wide range of products, from premium leather apparel to furniture.

“The store is closing,” said Jonathan Ordon, CEO of Danbury Global, one of the firms managing the liquidation. “The sale starts this week and with close to five million dollars in retail inventory to liquidate, there’s a huge opportunity for customers to find quality items at significant savings.”

“The owners didn’t provide specific reasons for the closure,” said Ordon. “All they mentioned was that a few different factors led to their decision, so, unfortunately, I can’t speculate further.”

Due to these various factors, the Hide House has made the difficult decision to shut its doors. Danbury Global Ltd. and A.D. Hennick & Associates Inc. will begin liquidating the store’s inventory through an in-store sale starting this Friday at 10 a.m.

Ordon added that the sale could last anywhere between 30 to 60 days, depending on how quickly the inventory winds down.

“We’re likely looking at sales running through Christmas into the new year,” he said.

With inventory featuring top-grade leather sofas, sectionals, armchairs, coffee tables and rugs, as well as a wide array of leather jackets, gloves, moccasins and handbags, the Hide House’s liquidation sale has something in store for everyone, he said.

“We have everything from household furnishings to men’s and ladies’ outerwear, motorcycle jackets and accessories. It’s an incredible chance to own a piece of Canadian heritage,” Ordon said.

The closure also signals the end of a long-standing community tradition. “This business was a significant draw for the town, especially in its peak years when it brought in around hundreds of thousands of visitors annually,” Ordon said, emphasizing that the impact it had was incredible on Acton’s local economy and surrounding businesses.

“Unfortunately, the closure will likely be a loss felt not only by the staff and employees, but also by some surrounding businesses,” he said.

For generations, the Hide House has been a household name for Ontario residents and a destination for leather enthusiasts, with many customers travelling from across the Golden Horseshoe to purchase items known for their craftsmanship and durability.

“For those who grew up in Ontario, this place was memorable — even if you hadn’t shopped here, you knew the store from their ads and reputation for quality,” Ordon explained.

Ordon also highlighted that, depending on remaining inventory, an auction could follow the sale’s conclusion, potentially in the new year. “Come and take advantage of the great discounts, while quantities last,” he encouraged.

He added that since the closure notice has gone out to the public, many people have come out to share their connection to the business.

“Many say things like ‘I bought my first leather jacket there almost 30 years ago and I passed it on to a family member,’” Ordon shared. “It goes to show that their products are such great quality that they can be passed down from generation to generation, which isn’t something you find often with products nowadays.”

For more details, visit Danbury Global or the Hide House website.