Mimi's

On December 23, I worked my last day at Mimi's. In February, I would have worked there for five years. Sadly, Mimi's is closing because, well, here's a list:

1. The economy is horrible.
2. We sell nothing that is essential to life.
3. The money people do have they need to spend on food, gas, mortgage, schooling, etc. Not bears, ornaments, figurines, cards, chocolate, picture frames, and other non-essentials to life.
4. All of our merchandise is expensive and overpriced.
5. Corporate has no interest in independent stores anymore.
6. Corporate makes Mimi's pay for many revisions, and they pocket the extra money.
7. The town people think we're in a bad location.
              The employee's had the hardest time listening to the bad location argument.
8. Corporate sells product to other big corporate stores.
9. Corporate discounts the product for big corporate stores which makes the small independent stores look like we overcharge.

We told customers we were closing because of the economy. I was amazed at how many were shocked that it was the economy. When I said the economy, they would look so surprised, and then the realization would come into their eyes. I also loved they could walk in the door, walk around the store, and then during check out realize we're closing.

I ran out of answers to, "I'm so sorry you guys are closing" or "Where am I going to shop when you're gone" or "This just sucks." Our regular customers were wonderful, sweet, and sad. But, we had tons of customers who had never visited and only came in because of the sale. People who wanted to buy fixtures were the worst. They wanted to wheel and deal; they wanted you to help them take everything a part, and then move it out.

My wonderful work place turned into a place of tension, stress, and nerves. I had to start thinking about the good times because the end was making me not want to come to work again.

One of my favorite customer memory happened two or three Christmases ago.  Blue Christmas came on the radio, and I started to hum along (I hum along to ALL the Christmas songs; it helps me stay calm when everything gets busy). Then Sandi started to sing, and then the customers joined in. It was funny and great; one of those moments which could only happen in a small store in a small town.

I also love the memory when a customer told Sandy and I all about her daughter's wedding, honeymoon, and their ski accident which occurred on the honeymoon.

I loved selling Snoopy to Pat; she couldn't resist any of it. Yet when she would pay, it was always this big trial, but if she missed any of it, she would be devastated.

I loved the Saturday when Dianne told me how she met her husband, married him, and her beginning jobs before children. I also loved finding out about her children, and their lives. I loved discussing religion with her.

I loved working with Sandy and talking about teaching, books, her husband, the Bible, God, and her grandchildren. She let me pour my thoughts out about school schedules and life and always gave good advice.

I loved working with all the ladies and the regular customers. I loved serving the chocolate. (When I started at Mimi's, I didn't like chocolate in the least bit. Mimi's sold Quality Candy, and let me tell you, it is fabulous chocolate. I love chocolate now; however, I'm picky.) I loved learning how to wrap presents, and then wrapping for customers. I loved so many things about this job.

I have many good memories from my first job. I'm so thankful I was able to build relationships which turned into friendships with my coworkers. I'm going to miss it, but I'm ready to move on. On December 26, I started my other job. Not much time without a job or to think about being gone; maybe it's for the best.

Some pictures for memory sake: