And So It Ends...

After much gut wrenching, stomach churning, hand wringing and talking, we have decided to close Kat & Andy.  It was not an easy decision to make, but there is a definite sense of relief that comes once it is made.  We have been struggling financially with the store since February, when I had to go into the ward.  We haven't been able to catch up on the bills and they just keep piling up.  There is definite stress associated with that and stress is not what I need when I'm still working on getting better mentally.

We toyed with the idea of moving the store to a smaller location, but there are still start up costs involved with that...funds that we just don't have right now (obviously).  Plus it would be an assload of work and I'm kinda lazy (insert smirk here).

The store has been closed on and off over the last two weeks as I've been experiencing a dip in my mental health.  There were two days where I literally spent all day in bed...more or less hiding from the world and not wanting to make a decision.  But there were also two days in there that I took the littles to Saskatoon for some fun (the Fun Factory the first week, the zoo the next).

The store will officially close its doors on May 24th.  Between now and then, there will be a couple of "BLOW OUT SALES" (I'm shouting that and making fireworks gestures with my hands as I type that) to clear out some inventory.  Then it will be a matter of getting all the clothes organized and back to the consignors'.

I haven't decided what to do with all of my fixtures and counters.  Part of me wants to hang onto them...I'd like to think I will eventually open another store (maybe once the kids are in school?).  But the smarter half knows that we don't have the space to store everything.

Mike and I went out for supper tonight and then stopped by the store to grab a few things.  As I flicked on the lights, my stomach dropped.  As I looked around, my eyes filled up with tears.  There I was...looking at my third baby and realizing it will soon come to an end.  So much work and effort put into her, only to eventually have to lock the doors a final time and walk away from it.

It sucks.  Big time.