The familiar sight of Sunrise Records at Conestoga Mall in Kitchener is now a memory, as the music and entertainment retailer has permanently closed its location. The shutdown was confirmed on December 29, 2025, with employees present for the final day of operations.
End of an Era for Mall Retail
Employees Skyler Reardon, Erin Witt, and Dalton Saddon were seen at the store on its last day, as captured by CTV News journalist Karis Mapp. The closure removes a key retailer of music, movies, and pop culture merchandise from the bustling Conestoga Mall, a major shopping destination in the Waterloo Region.
The store's permanent shutdown reflects the ongoing challenges facing brick-and-mortar retail, particularly in the entertainment sector which has faced intense competition from digital streaming services and online marketplaces for years.
Details and Local Impact
While the specific reasons for this individual store closure were not detailed in the initial report, the move aligns with broader retail trends. Sunrise Records, known for its extensive selection of vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, and licensed merchandise, has been a staple in many Canadian malls after acquiring numerous former HMV locations.
The closure at Conestoga Mall leaves a vacancy that mall management will need to fill. For local collectors and music enthusiasts, it means one fewer physical location to browse new releases and discover hidden gems.
Broader Retail Context
This closure occurs amidst a dynamic Canadian retail landscape. While some sectors struggle, others adapt and thrive. The news of Sunrise Records shutting down in Kitchener stands in contrast to other business stories, such as the hardware store exposures in Manitoba or the Montreal photo shop closing after nine decades, highlighting the varied fortunes of physical retail across the country.
The permanent closure of the Sunrise Records outlet at Conestoga Mall marks a significant change for the mall's retail mix and for the shopping habits of Kitchener-Waterloo residents who frequented the store for their entertainment needs.
