AMHERST – Is it a good news story?
The owner of Gordon’s Ladies Wear would like it to be.
“We’ve had a wonderful run,” said Mary Lynn Cameron.
The clothing store in the Amherst Centre Mall is closing. The proprietor praised the loyal customers she served, as well as her staff. The store was open 30 years. Now she anticipates a busy retirement.
But despite her statement that “it’s time” to close shop, it’s not entirely clear Gordon’s is going out the way she wanted.
She talked about the difficulties faced by independent shops. People travel more, according to Cameron, and big box stores have made it more difficult for the small players. The owner said the Amherst Centre Mall has been a “pretty dismal” retail environment since Zeller’s left.
She spoke about earlier years. At one point Gordon’s had locations in Parrsboro and Sackville, as well as Amherst (the business began in Parrsboro). The store’s first location was at the Amherst Town Square. She said it had lots of independent shops at the time.
She cautioned the community: If people want things in small towns – if they want local organizations supported – they need to support local businesses.
The woman wanted to stay positive. The store closes at the end of the month. She said they’re offering big markdowns in the interim.
When asked what her next step would be, she didn’t know.
“I’ll come up with something,” she said.
esparling@amherstdaily.com
