MOOSE JAW — A former Moose Jaw candy store that once offered everything from Shaqalicious XL Gummies to Lowrey’s Microwave Pork Rinds has permanently closed its doors due to several challenges, including tariff costs.
Owner Bruce Kozak of The Funky Gifter Moose Jaw — formerly Tristian’s Treats — announced on Facebook on Aug. 2 that he was permanently shuttering the business because of staffing issues, tariffs, logistics, product availability, “management mistakes,” and “just the overall sales and financial picture” from the past, present and future.
“Let’s just say it was difficult getting product into the store, plus expenses far outweighed the sales revenue. It simply wasn’t profitable,” he wrote.
Continuing, he said that if market conditions improved, the tariffs went away and operating costs decreased, he would “gladly reopen” since there is “definitely potential” for a store to succeed. Also, he would connect retailers with wholesale opportunities if anyone was interested in operating a store or had an existing shop.
Kozak noted that he has an independent Regina location — The Funky Gifter General Mercantile — that could meet customers’ cravings for candy and other food needs. He also said that Moose Jaw customers who accumulated points could use them — and acquire more — in Regina, while the business would make monthly deliveries to The Friendly City.
“Although it was a short stint, no one at the time that we signed a deal to open the store ever predicted … tariffs and the effect that (they) would have on the economy,” Kozak wrote.
Furthermore, the post noted that no one could have predicted a “buy Canadian movement” that “essentially” killed the store and made recovery impossible. Moreover, no one could have predicted a shortage of tomatoes, sucralose and aluminum that affected the availability of products.
“Let’s just say, the reason for this closure was a series of unfortunate events. But, sometimes it’s for (the) better and there’s always opportunity for the future … ,” Kozak added. “Although it was a short stint, it was a wild and fun ride!”
Before the business — at 20 Caribou Street East — was known as The Funky Gifter Moose Jaw, it was originally Tristian’s Treats, which Tristian De Yoe opened in July 2021 at 259 High Street West.
De Yoe remained there until July 2023 and then moved his business to Caribou Street East. He continued operating until Dec. 31, 2024, before turning over the business to The Funky Gifter in Regina, which rebranded and reopened the store in January 2025.
Kozak announced on Facebook on June 25 that he had closed the store that week to re-evaluate its future. He noted that the revenues just weren’t there and the daily sales were a fraction of overall expenses, while the Regina was unwilling to subsidize the location.
“The single biggest reasons are TARIFFS and ‘TIME,’” the owner wrote, noting working more than 96 hours a week, driving back and forth to keep the Regina store stocked and working another job were hurting the Moose Jaw location.
Continuing, Kozak wrote that customers asked about buying candy and snacks, but “extensive research” showed that while the profit margins were good, the turnover was not enough to sustain the location. He noted that the store would have to sell $1,464 in candy daily to pay the rent, salaries and utilities, “and even 7-Eleven doesn’t sell that much candy daily.”
While the shop had a decent selection of groceries, the sales were still low and the only “saving grace” was the sale of soda pop, which was a low-margin item, the owner noted. Also, there was little product turnover, which made reinvesting difficult.
Meanwhile, all the negative factors affecting the business created a stressful situation where the owner couldn’t keep up with his personal and professional lives, he wrote. That generated tension with employees and co-workers, which was “never a good thing.”
Kozak noted that he gave the landlord — Veridian Property Corporation — 90 days’ notice to vacate the building a week before closing the doors.
On the building’s front door was a poster dated June 23 from Veridian, which said that it had changed the locks because Kozak had failed to pay rent. However, taking that action did not constitute a termination of the lease, while the company would “pursue other remedies” as the agreement outlined.
The poster encouraged Kozak to contact Veridian to pay the outstanding rent.
“Remember, things can change, and the move that we’re making will only make us stronger in the end,” Kozak added in the online post. “This is a positive thing!”
