GAIL Pether says the hardest part about closing Memory Lane will be splitting up a collection she spent 45 years building.
Last week, Memory Lane founder Ms Pether announced April 4 would be the last normal trading day for her Mt Lawley costume store.
In July last year, the Guardian Express reported that Ms Pether planned to retire after false media reports said she was closing the store.
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READ NOW“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.
“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 to close the store.
“It’s been really, really difficult,” she said.
“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.”
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 I know 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.”
Industry bodies will be given first pick of the sales in April, May and June before the public can access sales on April 16 and 17.
“Its 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.”