Village shop set to close after half a century
IT WILL SHUT ITS DOORS FOR THE FINAL TIME AFTER MORE THAN 50 YEARS
A SHOP at the heart of village for more than half a century announced plans to close.
Estelle Fashions of Willerby has been a cornerstone of shopping for female fashion, but a family tragedy has contributed to bringing an end to its time trading in Kingston Road.
The shop was “successful for 95 per cent of its life” but the death of its beloved owner, Sally Curtis, in November last year led to a decline in trade.
Sally, and her mum Betsy before her, had a special bond with customers - something broken by Sally’s passing.
“She was an amazing lady,” her sister-in-law, Maggie Curtis, said.
“She was amazing, she was diagnosed with breast cancer some years ago, but she was given the all-clear two years ago. I remember celebrating at Christmas with Champagne.
“Tragically, in August 2019, Sally suddenly collapsed at home and on November 11, 2019, Sally sadly passed life has away from brain cancer. The family were devastated – she was only 64.”
The family had to break in to rescue Sally from her home when she fell ill.
Her mum Betsy opened the Kingston Road shop with her then-partner Mary Walker before Sally took on the shop 40 years ago.
“It is three years on from when we had our 50th anniversary,” Maggie said.
“Betsy and Sally knew customers so well. My daughter and I ran it for a little while as well, but we live in Bristol so it wasn’t sustainable.
“Once that link had been broken, customers would come in and say how Sally would do something. She became great friends with a lot of her customers and even used to go out for tea with her.
“It is really sad. It was really successful for 95 per cent of its life. It is the end of an era.
“I’d just like to say thank you to all of our loyal customers.”
A closing down sale is being held this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
It will close for good on October 17.