Steinbach's Ten Thousand Villages store is not closing.

Ten Thousand Villages Canada announced Tuesday the closure of its corporate operations, which includes its head office, distribution centre in New Hamburg, Ontario, web store, wholesale operations and ten remaining company stores.

Eight independently owned stores in Canada, known as board stores, including Steinbach's will remain open. The other seven stores are located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Calgary, Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Brandon, Manitoba, Port Colborne, Ontario, Cobourg, Ontario, and Pointe Claire, Quebec.

Many of the closures are expected to happen at the end of March or end of May.

Beginning June first, Ten Thousand Villages USA will be available to fulfill online orders from Canadian consumers.

Ten Thousand Villages Canada posted the following on its website Tuesday:

"In this challenging retail environment, we recognize your commitment, support and dedication to the success of Ten Thousand Villages Canada. However, in spite of all our best efforts, we have been unable to achieve the level of sales that would continue to provide us with the ability to operate a sustainable business model. It is for this reason that Mennonite Central Committee Canada (MCCC) has made the difficult decision to close their social enterprise, Ten Thousand Villages Canada. Our anticipated last day of retail operations is May 29th, 2020. Under our current business model, we have a selection of stores that are owned and operated by separate boards; some of those stores have the means to remain open."