Barnett's shutting down
This is pretty sad since Barnett's was a place I visited almost every day back when I worked at the Athens Banner-Herald and, upon most daytime visits to downtown, I'd swing through as well. It's more than a little frustrating that it'll become a woman's clothing boutique, and I'm curious to know why the offers to buy the newstand 'fell through' but whatever.
Sounds like the owners just didn't have their heart in it anymore.
Sounds like the owners just didn't have their heart in it anymore.
posted by Jmac at 9:03 AM
3 Comments:
And what would you rather it become, a bar? A corporate monster like McDonald's? I didn't see you make an offer for Barnett's! At least the boutique is a locally owned small business! Midge had the business on the open market for 2 years and no one bought it. Its her own damn business what she does with her company and her building.
If she's ready to retire, which she is, good for her. She has worked hard for long enough. And good for her for putting a local business in there.
I think we'll all be sad to see it go, it added such character and a feeling of days of old.
I feel nothing but the deepest sympathy for the owner, and can only imagine how tough this decision was for her, especially that she had to face the loss of her long time friend and co-worker only two years ago, and now faces the loss of her business.
I hope we will all find time to stop by and thank her, her staff, and help them empty their shelves ASAP.
It is a real sad thing, for Athens, yes, but let's remember that business people are people first, and this wonderful lady who has spent most of her life in recent decades serving the people of downtown Athens is going through the most difficult and heartbreaking time of anyone's life. And we know only of the death of her best friend/partner in the business, and the loss of her business. There may be other personal, private tragedies that led her to have to make this choice, ones that didn't make it to print.
I wish we could wait just a little to criticize the actions of someone we see often but have taken for granted for a long time, and focus instead on how we can help her get through this, and make the decisions for her own self that will reward her, rejuvenate her, help her find her true inner joy.
I wish her peace, freedom from sadness, comfort in the memories of laughter, love and respect she shared all these years w/her dear friend, and all of us as Athenians.
all blessings,
Maddy
I didn't see you make an offer for Barnett's! At least the boutique is a locally owned small business! Midge had the business on the open market for 2 years and no one bought it. Its her own damn business what she does with her company and her building.
Easy cupcake.
That's a lot of righteous outrage for a rather honest question I asked based on the information supplied in the article and, quite frankly, is presuming I have an opinion on something when it's rather clear I never made said opinion.
If the owners wish to sell than they absolutely have the right to do so, and more power to them for opting to retire and move on to the next chapter in life (and, as I noted, good for them for making such a decision).
My frustration stemmed from the actual Barnett's closing and an inability to find a potential buyer to take over said operation. But, you know, that's how things work out and that's fine. I don't see how my frustration and sadness that Barnett's closing equates to me saying 'they're horrible people for not keeping it open.'
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