Island Radiators has closed its doors, ending a business which began in the 1940s, but existed under previous names and iterations for years prior. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

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NANAIMO — It’s a quiet end to a Harbour City business of well over 75 years.

Island Radiators, at the corner of Selby St. and Wentworth St. in downtown Nanaimo officially closed their doors on Monday, March 31, a business which had served Harbour City customers since 1945.

Owner Perry Martens told NanaimoNewsNOW the decision was a heartbreaking one to make, but one which was a long time coming due to a few different factors.

“Just financial cost stress. Rent has gone up another 10 per cent, everything has gone up. I don’t want to blame everybody else, but you just have to realize at a certain point, as a business owner, I’m not making any money anymore and the stress is just killing me.”

An iconic mural on the back of the building, Island Radiators had called their Selby St. location home since the late 1970s. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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The 54-year-old Martens has owned the business since 2011, but worked as a tech for the previous owners for two years before moving into a leadership role.

He specializes in installing and repairing radiators in vehicles, generators and other heavy machinery.

He said a huge change in how customers shop, as well as how big industry is operating in light of an increasing trade war, was too much to bear.

“They’re not operating the same they used to in getting parts repaired, they’re having it replaced. I’m in the repair industry, I’m a blacksmith shop, if you want to call it that, the old place you go to get something fixed, but people just replace it then throw it away.”

Uncertainty around a global trade war, escalated Tuesday by the United States, is poised to further disrupt businesses, including those in the local logging industry.

Changes in export volumes mean a shift in how machinery is used and when it needs repairing.

“They’re not going to do repairs on them preemptively unless they’re busy and they have a breakdown. Everything’s parked, and so if everything’s parked, no one’s fixing anything. They’re not spending big bucks. They’re holding their money tight.”

For rent signs are up at Island Radiators, with the business closing down and vacating their Selby St. location after roughly 50 years. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Martens added a growing number of people buying parts from online stores, including large marketplaces like Amazon, then bringing them to him to install or repair, also hurts his business.

“I think it’s been happening over the course of a number of years. Ever since COVID, there’s been a definite shift in industry, and I think that regardless, I think I would be in a similar position if I tried to continue on. Do you grab a shovel, dig a deeper hole, or you just go, ‘you know what? This is not a viable industry’.”

During a Wednesday, April 2 interview with NanaimoNewsNOW, Martens was interrupted by a customer looking for help with his vehicle.

When the customer asked if Martens could recommend a shop for a specific repair, Martens was only able to provide a very, very short list.

“Short of a couple of shops, there’s one guy in Victoria, I believe, and one guy up in Campbell River, but I was the only one that could handle the very large ones. I did the hospital stuff in Victoria…like the big generators. I was the only one that was capable of handling large units like that and doing those repairs.”

Caught up in the closure were two technicians who worked at the shop, however, Martens said they both found work at another business.

His wife also worked in the front office.

“I just feel sad. It feels like a fail. It was my retirement.”

Equipment from Island Radiators is scheduled to be auctioned online later this month.

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