By David Williams,
Freelance Writer
An employee pulls down the shutters of Times Store Ltd. on King Street, Downtown Kingston, at closing time yesterday. The century-old department store will wind up operations at the end of next month. - Rudolph Brown
TIMES STORE, one of Kingston's landmark stationery, household and cosmetics supplies outlets at 8-12 King Street, will be pulling down its shutters permanently at the end of next month.
The chief executive officer of the company, George Faria, yesterday confirmed the self-professed "finest store in town", which earned a special place for itself in Christmas and back-to-school sales during its 103-year history, would cease operations effective June 30.
The decision to close its flagship outlet comes a little over a year after the company, citing high operating costs, closed its branches at Tropical Plaza and Liguanea Plaza in St. Andrew.
In a terse press statement, Mr. Faria said the decision was a result of a decline in trade from which the business had "suffered severely" in recent times.
He noted the decision to cease operations was taken by the board of directors "after very careful consideration and with much regret". He also expressed the company's appreciation to its customers and suppliers who have been supportive over the years. When contacted, Mr. Faria declined further comment.
When The Gleaner news team visited the store yesterday afternoon, customers expressed disbelief and disappointment at the impending closure.
Monica Williams, who was told about the closure by workers at the store, was convinced "they're just joking".
"It has to be a joke," she remarked incredulously. "If it is true it's a real pity. It's such a nice store. The staff have been so helpful to me over the years. It's the kind of service you don't get anywhere else," she said.
Mrs. Williams, who is Principal of the Shebian Prep School in Portland, says she buys all her textbooks at Times Store because its staff go out of their way to get the specific books she needs.
She also has fond childhood memories of shopping at the store.
"As a little girl, whenever my mother was going to get anything classy for us she would bring us here," she recalled. "I lived abroad for many years, came back to find Times Store still here and still doing the good things it used to do in my mother's time. It's a real pity if it's closing down."
Colleen Smith, who works in a downtown Kingston office, said she can't imagine King Street without Times Store.
"I don't think it should close. From I was a child I've been hearing about Times Store. They should do something to see if they can keep it going," she said.
