Mine & my Mum’s fave store has closed its door…

Hi, Grace here.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend! Ours was pretty laid back.

My Mark came down with Flu type A on Friday, so I’ve been playing nurse for a few days. Poor guy. I kept making fun of him for wearing one of those masks in the waiting room. And then, once inside, the doctor thrust a handful of them in my direction and told me to wear masks around him. I had to laugh.

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Last week, Mark sent me an article from work. He knows I love Papyrus. Our American friends (or anyone who has ever visited NYC) will know what Papyrus is straight away. I don’t think it ever made it to England. But it’s a lovely card and gift store. With mostly handmade cards, high quality gift wrapping items and general loveliness.

HUNDREDS of stores all over America. We have had around 14 just in Manhattan alone. I could spend hours in there, looking carefully through all the wonderful handmade cards. Many a friend of mine has received a card or keepsake gift from Papyrus. And other than our lovely (and impressive) Clarity-level of home made cards, there was nothing else like it really. On a big scale. I would often buy cards I didn’t even need, just to have them ready for the right person. They were that special.

It sounds like they will still stock some cards in other big stores, but it’s not the same is it? The stores were a real treat to be in. For me, it was like the Harrods or Fortnum Mason of card stores, and how different would it be if you could only buy those biscuit tins in Sainsbury’s because Harrods wasn’t actually there anymore?!

My Mum also LOVED the store. Every time she’s ever visited, without warning, she has suddenly disappeared from beside me, and dived head first into the nearest one. She’s always excitedly talked about having her own version one day.

The cards were on the pricier end, but then crafters understand that that is the case because someone made each by hand, and with love. In a world that is quickly becoming about the internet, and how quickly we can get something done, aren’t you glad that you’re one of the few that spends TIME making your cards?

So I’m a bit gutted about the stores closing their doors. That was someones dream at one stage. I’m sure we’ve all witnessed a favorite shop closing down. There’s been a few just recently that I felt some sadness about; Jamie Olivers UK restaurant empire was one. Gutted I never got to one! And I had absolutely no idea until I was outside a boarded up restaurant in London over Christmas!

Here’s are two pretty eye opening articles on the many UK & US stores closing down at the moment (I had no clue about most of these!):

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/nov/06/high-street-crisis-big-names-job-losses-store-closures

https://www.businessinsider.com/stores-closing-in-2020-list-2020-1

With all this going on, Clarity is not affected. In fact, as you know we’re expanding. I believe one of the tricks to this, is to not expand too quickly. If you know my Mum, you’ll know that for the first 10+ years of running the business, she did so from porta-cabins in our back garden, and putting her kids to work for money they were getting anyway! Never expanding quicker than she (or the company) was ready for. Never choosing a fancy office, over the one she could actually afford. And 25+ years in, business is still going strong. [Not to say that any of these businesses did it the wrong way, it’s just our way]

Our continued success is really thanks to you! Thanks to your custom, your loyalty, your enthusiasm, hunger for more & constant support, Clarity is quite healthy.

And for that, we are forever grateful.

So, here’s to the brilliant businesses and storefronts that we’ve lost over the years! What were your favorites that you’ve loved and lost?

Lotsa Love, Grace xoxo

Clarity โ€“ The Home of Art, Craft and Well-being.

14 thoughts on “Mine & my Mum’s fave store has closed its door…

  • 28th January 2020 at 8:38 am
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    Hi Grace, you really look ‘distressed’ (lol)! Hoping Mark recovers soon. Hopefully he won’t transfer his germs to you. There’s a lot of news coverage on our side of the pond of the Coronavirus. I took a quick look at the link and was amazed how many big names and stores we have lost. I love browsing in shops and being able to ‘feel the quality of products’ before I buy as well as making sure the size I ‘think I am’ is correct. As I started purchasing from Clarity several years ago when you exhibited in Harrogate this is one exception I can make and purchase on line as I know the quality is never compromised. Take care.

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  • 28th January 2020 at 1:35 pm
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    I hope Mark is back on his feet soon and you dodge the bugs. Keep washing your hands! A few craft businesses are closing here, as interests change and deflation because of Brexit hits. Very sad for the owners and workers. Thank goodness Clarity makes most of its products and has eggs in many baskets.

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  • 28th January 2020 at 2:27 pm
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    The list of closures makes very sad reading. Increasing rates and rents push many small and not so small businesses out of the market. Online shopping is not for everyone.
    I hope Mark is well soon and you remain ‘bug’ free.
    Sure and steady seems to have served Clarity well. Long may it continue xx

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  • 28th January 2020 at 2:52 pm
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    Wow, the list of closures are frightening, it is true what Stephen Fry said all those years ago the internet would be like opening Pandoras box…

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  • 28th January 2020 at 3:44 pm
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    Both articles make for scary reading. I worked for Adams Childrenswear in the UK for over 20 years before it went into administration nearly 10 years ago. Still miss it so much – happy days! Get well soon Mark x

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  • 28th January 2020 at 5:53 pm
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    So many iconic shops are disappearing. Woollies – miss going in there to hear the latest music and buy pick n mix! Some Marks n Sparks shops are closing their doors and will miss Beales. Hope our Debenhams will stay as our High Street looks empty!

    Get well soon to Mark and I hope he isn’t a sharer when it comes to germs hehe xx

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  • 28th January 2020 at 6:00 pm
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    Poor Mark! Do take care of yourself as these things to tend to be shared. We, in the huge city of Phoenix, only have two papercrafting stores left. It is sad to see so many local companies closing there doors. That being said, my dollars have been flying over to Clarity, an online seller. Many of us get particular about what we want and online is the only way to get exactly what we are looking for. Looking forward to more Groovi on Amazon for us in the US and also for a way for us to get that discount from being part of a club on the main site…hint hint! I know Clarity will be around for a long, long time.

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  • 28th January 2020 at 6:09 pm
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    I’m sure there was at least one in London, Grace. And there was one in Bath until a few years ago โ€“ I know because purely by chance I happened to be passing it when I saw the Closing Down signs. As you can imagine, I had my credit card out within seconds, and had to stagger home with about five big bag loads (no kidding). They were my favourite shop too. No one else did it as well. What a shame they’re closing in the US too. I wonder if they’ll try to keep an online presence? Of course, with so many people not even buying Christmas cards any more (postage is far too expensive), and cutting down on every-day cards, perhaps it’s not surprising. But still very sad. Papyrus was absolutely unique.

    On the positive side โ€“ you, Barbara, and Clarity are thriving and that’s wonderful. I hope Mark gets well soon!

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  • 28th January 2020 at 8:02 pm
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    Hope Mark feels better soon and doesn’t spread his germs to you.
    Small shops are closing in our little Norfolk town due to high rent and rates. Our only craft shop is now an expensive fashion accessory shop. The sadder thing is that too many are being taken over by charity shops and our small department store is now a gym. The only craft stores are 23, 32and 35 miles away and truthfully I cannot be bothered fighting the traffic when I can get most things from Clarity without moving from my craft room. Gives more time for creativity.
    Great blog as always.
    ๐Ÿ’

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  • 28th January 2020 at 8:16 pm
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    Hi Grace, love reading your blog, you write very similarly to your lovely Mum. Here in England we are losing some very big name stores, such a shame. For me I miss good old Woolworths ( Woolies ) you get anything/everythingโ˜บ๏ธ hope Mark gets well soon, keep wearing those masks ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜€ xx

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  • 28th January 2020 at 11:30 pm
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    Poor Mark, hope he feels better soon and doesn’t pass it on to you. Shame you are loosing your favourite store, I’m sure you we had a few in UK I remember the name. I must admit to missing Woolies (Woolworths) it was on every High Street and sold most things. Back in the day I liked C & A too and that closed years ago, still abroad though but not as good.xx

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  • 29th January 2020 at 5:23 am
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    Hello Grace, oh poor Mark, but I bet you rock those masks. A great, but sad blog post, there are so many store/business closures that it really is alarming. It is a pity about Papyrus, I heard about it from friends and colleagues in the US. I used to love Woolworths. I do try support small businesses (including Clarity ๐Ÿ˜€) as much as possible, but let’s face it, it makes life simple to walk into one big supermarket or shopping centre and get just about everything you want or need quickly. Thanks for a great post. Bx

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  • 29th January 2020 at 10:03 am
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    Hello Grace, sorry to hear Mark is poorly and hope you don’t get his germs. Its sad to hear of another store closing. I buy online from Clarity as their products are first class and so is their service. Thanks for the great blog. Gill x

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  • 29th January 2020 at 5:58 pm
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    I hope Mark is feeling better soon. I miss Woolworths. I used to love buying singles there.

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