I think graphic tee sums things up pretty well.
Shuttered Doors
Monday, July 27, 2020
At the start of the pandemic and our "two week" lock down, which morphed into a three month lock down, I was worried about the small local businesses. Who would be able to weather the storm? I saw so many getting creative, hosting Instagram live shopping sessions, building web shops, offering curbside pick up and private by appointment in store browsing.
As much as it would pain me to see the Targets of the world replace our small businesses, there is another group, that has been struggling for sometime, the larger brands like Gap, J.Crew, and Ann Taylor. I was devastated when my town closed its Gap location, but I remember they gave fair warning; there was time to appreciate those final days and purchases. (Silly as it may seem, I was hesitant to purge my closet of the very last piece I'd purchased at that Gap, a strange sentiment, but visits to that store were a big part of my middle school and high school years.)
Since then, I've noticed closures come with less and less warning. Stores are open one day and closed the next, often with as much surprise to the employees as to the patrons. When Ann Taylor sent out their email about filing for Chapter 11 a few days ago they were full of assurances, promising a brighter future. So when I showed up at their New Haven store today, I was a bit surprised to find a tiny sign on the door stating that they were closed, and as I peered through the now empty windows I could see the last bits of the shop being dismantled. Just yesterday I was on their website checking to see if the piece I wanted would be at that store, today it's gone. Had I known my previous visit was going to be my last, maybe I would have put more than 15 minutes in my parking meter and taken the time to browse rather than making a quick exchange and heading out.
Not much of an exit for the very first Ann Taylor store which has been in New Haven since 1954. No announcement, no goodbye, just a quite disappearance.
As much as it would pain me to see the Targets of the world replace our small businesses, there is another group, that has been struggling for sometime, the larger brands like Gap, J.Crew, and Ann Taylor. I was devastated when my town closed its Gap location, but I remember they gave fair warning; there was time to appreciate those final days and purchases. (Silly as it may seem, I was hesitant to purge my closet of the very last piece I'd purchased at that Gap, a strange sentiment, but visits to that store were a big part of my middle school and high school years.)
Since then, I've noticed closures come with less and less warning. Stores are open one day and closed the next, often with as much surprise to the employees as to the patrons. When Ann Taylor sent out their email about filing for Chapter 11 a few days ago they were full of assurances, promising a brighter future. So when I showed up at their New Haven store today, I was a bit surprised to find a tiny sign on the door stating that they were closed, and as I peered through the now empty windows I could see the last bits of the shop being dismantled. Just yesterday I was on their website checking to see if the piece I wanted would be at that store, today it's gone. Had I known my previous visit was going to be my last, maybe I would have put more than 15 minutes in my parking meter and taken the time to browse rather than making a quick exchange and heading out.
Not much of an exit for the very first Ann Taylor store which has been in New Haven since 1954. No announcement, no goodbye, just a quite disappearance.
The Rundown
Leopard Dress Ann Taylor Factory
White Slides Ferragamo similar
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Leopard Dress Ann Taylor Factory
White Slides Ferragamo similar
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Necklace S.V. Decker
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy
The Sun Never Stops Setting
Friday, July 24, 2020
It wouldn't be summer without walks to the docks to take outfit photos as the sun's golden light filters through the clouds. There are likely photos taken here for as many summers as I've been posting to this blog, and there is comfort in the familiar.
The sun will set in the same direction, I can hopefully get some of it's gleam shining on my hair. The water will be still, save for the gentle sway of the old wooden docks. I've been to marinas where everything is new and concrete and they are lacking in warmth and texture. Even though I have to be careful not to wear heels that could get caught between the wide gaps in the boards and carry around the tiniest sliver of fear that I could get thrown off balance and fall into the water, this is my spot. A view I've seen nearly every day of my entire life. I don't think it's possible to tire of it.
The sun will set in the same direction, I can hopefully get some of it's gleam shining on my hair. The water will be still, save for the gentle sway of the old wooden docks. I've been to marinas where everything is new and concrete and they are lacking in warmth and texture. Even though I have to be careful not to wear heels that could get caught between the wide gaps in the boards and carry around the tiniest sliver of fear that I could get thrown off balance and fall into the water, this is my spot. A view I've seen nearly every day of my entire life. I don't think it's possible to tire of it.
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