We are losing our choices

Many people tell me I shouldn't feel badly, that it's not my shop that failed. That this is happening everywhere and that many small businesses just like mine are fading into nothing but pictures and memories.

That's true, and while I realize I'm not alone, it doesn't make me feel better about what I see happening. Some folks are eager to discount the importance of small shops and independently owned stores, saying it's so sad, how times they are a'changin', and the dreaded "p word"....progress.

Is progress always good and does just the fact that something falls into the past a great accomplishment? Or are they just using the word to imply that what everyone does nowadays is good; that when many people move in a certain direction that it's a positive thing? Is falling into place in the herd of sheep lined up at the entrance to walmart the best possible thing, or is it just what's become "the norm".

What were to happen if some massive change in economy or transit of goods and products occurred, that limited our choices and availability of things to buy? What if the chain stores ending up controlling every aspect of our shopping and there were no alternative? Do we really only want to have BJ's, Sam's Club, Target and a few others?

Lest it appear that I've lost my mind and am comparing my shop to the giants, let me clarify that's not the point here. The real issues lies with us having options and choosing where we can spend. But the more independents we lose, the few choices remain. And that my friends, is a tragedy for America. Because it sends a message that only the strong survive and the small vanish, we may lose our towns, the unique flavors of where we live and most of all, our sense of community.







#chainstores #retailgiants #limitedchoices #goodbye #smallbusiness #thefinal90 #momandpop #locallyowned #shoplocal #choices #livelocal #yourcommunity #smallshopsclosing #nomoreindependents #deathofsmallbusiness

Pieces of me

Today is hell and I would give anything to make this end. I am literally peeling off pieces of me and placing bit and parts of my life, heart and soul into plastic bags people are leaving with. I loved this stupid store so much, I loved being a part of people's lives, I loved knowing I gave them a chance to buy the best while supporting the best - America's candy makers who are still here in the USA making products. This was a tiny amount of business to them but at least I stayed a firm supporter of what they offered and stood for - with this store closing that is one less supporter and already so many of us are gone.

When will people realize what we represented? I don't think they realize the love and care that went into this shop, the generations that came here and the dedication I had. The few visitors earlier today who caually bemoaned the fate of small businesses as they noted the other stores closing in this shopping center, ended up shrugging and writing it off to "progress". What progress, when like robots they all follow each other to the big chains while the real owners are fighting to hold on? When will anyone realize that we ARE the heart and soul of little towns, the unique flavor of an area and a real person? This is ripping my heart out and I can do nothing.

#thefinal90 #storeclosing #goodbye #smallbusiness #35years #heart

Letting go

"As we grow older and wiser, we begin to realize what we need and what we need to leave behind.  Sometimes walking away is a step forward."

#lettinggo #movingon #thefinal90 #closingdoors #nextchapter #smallbusiness #finallyclosing #afteralltheseyears #supportyourlocal #independentsfading

I believe....

 

I believe....


....that grief isn't defined by words and equations, or measured by certain traits.

....that what spoke to your soul and made you come alive is something that can now be a huge loss in your life.

...that the longer you wait to make a change that you know is coming, the harder it will be.

....that hatever once made you whole; filled an emptiness; was there as you came out of the dark and healed, is going to hurt like hell when you say goodbye.

...that letting go may be the only way you can reach the next chapter in your life.

....that when the time comes when you have to walk away from memories of when you were broken and found the one thing that worked, that restored your faith in yourself and that let you live again, that it's going to rip your heart out.

....that being afraid of change keeps you from growing.

...that it's possible to feel some things should never end and that what made you complete should never go away.

....that this may be the time for me to fly.

...that you can love something that restored you to living as a normal person so much that it's going to leave fragments.

....that this sadness is about losing the only thing in my life I ever became.

....that letting go of this dream is harder than I thought.

....that these years were some of the best times in my life.

#lettinggo #closingabusiness #movingon #afteralltheseyears #nextchapter #deathofasmallbusiness #goodbye #momandpop #smallstores #closing #since1979 #afterallthistime #closingforever #thefinal90 #belovedsmallshop #icon #community #shoplocal #loss #hometownbusinesses

My 19th summer has ended

I made it. After almost two decades here I have somehow managed to make it through the final summer for this store. Often Labor Day is a celebration of having accomplished another season of visitors, and now we would begin to fade into the second season that is the beautiful fall months at the beach. But I'm not celebrating this year and earlier today I said goodbye to several of my long-time customers who cried hearing the news.


As I've mentioned before there are so many reasons I have arrived at the final chapter for me and my beloved shop. I will miss so much of this; the people that I've come to know over so many layers of years and seasons and too many reasons to begin to count....

#finalseason #smallbusinessclosing #thefinal90 #after35years #endofsummer #storeclosed #struggling #smallretailer #momandpop #favoritelittleshops #supportlocal #shopsmall #independent #weareclosing #lettinggo #goodbye