By Krystal Shelter, Times-Mail
krystal@tmnews.com
BEDFORD - Allana Hopkins didn't need the national news to tell her that retail sales were dismal in the last quarter of 2008.
She felt it. So much, in fact, that she was forced to close the doors of her long-standing bridal shop at the end of November.
Times had been tough for the past couple years, but she soon realized she wouldn't make it through 2008.
She's certainly not alone. Many businesses have struggled through the past year, and many didn't make it.
"Times are tough," Hopkins said. "Times have changed. It's not what it used to be. People are traveling further to find their dresses and shopping the Internet. We were hanging on and hanging on, but it soon came to the point that we realized we just couldn't continue."
When Rice 'N Roses closed its doors, it signaled the end of an era. The shop was started in 1979 by Edie Craig, and was the last local establishment to sell new wedding, bridesmaid and prom dresses as well as all the accessories. Not to mention, there are now few spots locally to rent tuxedos, especially after Goody's announced it was liquidating its stores, including the Bedford location.
"I did keep my tuxedo account because I thought maybe it was a piece of the business I could continue on with," Hopkins said. "If I could work with someone, or rent a small local spot that's affordable, then I will continue to do that because there is a need for it."
Hopkins, who owned and operated the downtown business for the past 11 years, is gearing up for an auction that starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at The Company Concourse in Bedford that she hopes will liquidate the rest of her business. From prom dresses to wedding gowns, a variety of formal-related items will be up for bid.
"I am sad," Hopkins said. "I absolutely love it and loved doing all of it. I loved helping the brides plan their weddings and see all the girls come in for their prom dresses. I will go to the auction and watch, if I can stand it. It's been so hard letting this go. It has been my baby for so long, and it was always such a good business until the past couple of years."
Figures released Thursday confirmed fears that the holiday season was the weakest since at least 1969, and the trouble cut through practically all areas from kitchen gadget stores to jewelry purveyors and teen apparel retailers. Even Wal-Mart's sales figures were lower than expected, showing what experts believe is that the lower income bracket is feeling the pinch more than previously thought. Retailers, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, posted a 24 percent drop in sales.
At the same time, Goody's announced that it would start liquidating all of its stores beginning today, including its Bedford location. The move comes less than four months after the retailer emerged from bankruptcy protection, is one of the first results of the ever-worsening economy.
The local store manager referred all questions to the company's corporate headquarters, which did not immediately return phone calls.