By Emily Stonehouse

It’s not something she takes lightly, but the owner of Mixtape Vintage, Heidi Hudspith, has made a big decision. 

She will be closing her doors until spring. 

“All of my costs are higher in a season where I am making the littlest income,” she said. 

Located at the lower level of 163 Highland Street in Haliburton, the quaint and cozy vintage shop has been in business for five years, having shuffled around a few times throughout the downtown core to accommodate growth and interest as Hudspith’s visions came to fruition. 

Now, in a small space nestled between Head Lake Park and the main roadway through the village, Hudspith feels at home. But despite feeling settled, she knows she can’t make it work through the winter months. “One of my incentives for closing was that last winter was my toughest winter,” she said. “It was the worst one I’ve had in five years.” 

After half a decade in business, Hudspith has started to map the patterns of shoppers, and if her predictions on the ebbs and flows are in-line with previous years, then she hopes that her decision to close could prove beneficial to the future of her business. “I make all of my money in July and August,” she shared. “Then in November, it’s absolutely horrible for sales. Mentally, it’s so hard, and it never really bounces back.” 

The shop-owner shared that by the time she sees the light of warm weather coming out of the cold months, she is “completely depleted of all resources.” 

Just in time to snap into the busiest season of the year. 

And so the pattern repeats again and again. 

As a result, Hudspith says she feels trepidatious when trying to expand, as there’s a mental block in place at all times, dragging her down. “Our sales are growing,” she said, “but I haven’t really been able to grow the business. I am constantly so cautious.” 

By the time Hudspith pays for a select few staff members, as well as rent and the cost of utilities and products to stock the shelves, she’s left with an empty pot. “It makes more sense to close because I will literally lose money if I stay open,” she said. “I am not even looking to make money, I am just trying to cover the loss.”

When asked what a solution could be to the problem that’s plaguing many businesses throughout the downtown core and beyond, Hudspith isn’t sure of the answer. Many are not. 

She shared that she isn’t shuttering her doors for good, though, as one temporary fix is the opportunity for some pop-up shops in collaboration with other local makers and vintage aficionados. “I’m not exactly sure what that will look like, yet, but we will make it more of an event,” she said. “I am hoping we will be open for that once a month or so, timed around holidays.” 

Hudspith hopes to open full-time again around the May Long Weekend, but that is not set in stone for the time being. She will continue selling vintage items through her Etsy shop and on Instagram until she can open her doors once again.