The End Of An Era

11 years after it opened our favorite little local clothing store closed it's doors for the last time yesterday. Everyone has their spot where they shop for new gear. Luckily for me it was right next door. Literally.

Thru the years I'd guesstimate that a good 40 to 50 % of my wardrobe came from GW. Countless shorts and pants, t's and button ups, bandannas and hats, jackets and hoodies, with the odd belts and backpacks thrown in for good measure. Not to mention an assortment of jewelry, wallets, stickers, sunglasses, and a few odds and ends. If they had socks and underwear I'd be wearing that too.

The Kato family that ran it was practically family. I've known them since I was 9 and we all grew up together. They made it into one of our favorite local hangouts and countless hours were spent there during lunch breaks and after work, Playing arcade games, watching sports on tv, just talking shit with Jason, Doing little jobs for his Mom, Changing her register tape or reprogramming the tax rate one her register, putting new displays together, chasing out shady people. It was never boring.

I think it's the closing of GW that's kinda putting a damper on this holiday season. No more Jason coming thru for his requisite Diet Coke and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. No more Kaori coming thru on the hour proclaiming, "I'm bored". I'm always gonna have this picutre in my head of Mrs K standing outside the store, cigarette in hand, coffee in the ohter. I'm gonna miss that. A Lot.

11 years just doesn't seem long enough.