End of an era at store
AS the doors closed on Dunedin’s H&J Smith store in the Meridian Mall for the last time on Saturday, there was cheering from staff within and applause from customers on the outside.
There was an unusual air of celebration, despite what the moment represented.
H&J Smith chief executive John Green said underneath it all, there were mixed emotions.
‘‘It’s obviously a sad day for the town, it’s a sad day for the staff who are very fond of this place, but it’s been a long road and they’ve known since June last year that it was closing and they’re ready.
‘‘We’ve run our race here.’’ Mr Green said staff had been very busy since Boxing Day, when the store started its clearing sale.
Only about $600,000 worth of stock remained on the shop floor.
He said there had been $4 million worth of products when the store was fully stocked.
‘‘It’s remarkable just how much stock is actually still in here, but equally we’re quite happy with what we’ve got left.
‘‘We can take that back to the Invercargill store and absorb that.’’
Mr Green said he was proud of the way all the staff had kept together, despite the impending closure.
It was a symbol of the great camaraderie in the store.
‘‘Virtually everyone has stayed right to the end.’’
He said staff had a big party on Saturday night to mark the closure.
‘‘I doubt it will be a quiet affair with this crew, but there will be fun, a few laughs and some tears.’’