Memory Lane founder Ms Pether announced last week that April 4 would be the last normal trading day for her Mt Lawley costume store.
In July last year, Community Newspaper Group reported that Ms Pether planned to retire after false media reports said she was closing the store.
“We didn’t put it on the market but people approached us to buy it – although they messed us around for six months,” Ms Pether said.
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READ NOW“I’ve been doing Memory Lane for 45 years and I’m at the time where I want to spend time with my grandkids.”
After being flooded with messages from sad community members, Ms Pether said she felt very sad closing the store.
“It’s been really, really difficult. Three quarters of me is happy about retiring but the lovely messages we’ve received are tugging at my heart strings.
“The thing that kills me is we are the main suppliers of costumes,” she said.
Ms Pether said she was concerned about the effect closure would have on businesses, theatres, schools and production houses.
“I think the hardest thing is how difficult it will be for people in the industry to get access to the things we have.
“We have thousands of costumes here and the thing that hurts me the most is to split up a collection we’ve built up for over 45 years.”
Businesses, schools, theatres and production houses can make pre-sale appointments between April 9-15 before the public can access sales on April 16 and 17. Industry bodies will have pick of the sales in April, May and June.
“It’s only fair businesses, theatres, schools and production houses have a fair shot,” Ms Pether said.
“Clearing the store will be the hardest – I had hoped we could get someone to keep it going in some way.”