Canada's largest photography retailer has announced that its closing seven of its stores countrywide as part of a "strategic restructuring". 

Henry's Camera, which has been operating since 1909, will shutter seven of 29 stores after suffering a huge blow in sales due to the pandemic. 

The company released a statement Friday saying that it had filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act to offset the "dramatic impact" of the novel virus on Henry's business. 

"We closed our brick-and-mortar locations to keep our customers and employees safe due to the pandemic, which resulted in a significant impact to sales while still bearing the ongoing operating costs," said Gillian Stein, the Henry's CEO.

The permanent closure of seven stores across British Columbia and Ontario is expected to have no impact on its customers, says the brand, as the online store will continue to operate as normal.

In B.C., the stores in Coquitlam, Langley, and Victoria will close permanently, and in Ontario, stores in Brampton, Markham, Nepean, and Sudbury will fold. 

The rest of the brand's 22 stores will re-open and be fully functioning when quarantine measures are lifted across Canada. Customers will still be able to redeem gift cards, and store warranties will continue to be honoured.