how i REALLY feel

After THIS news was released over the weekend, my mind has been running in circles. My heart is breaking, and I am mourning the loss of my home away from home.

Colorful Creations has brought together SO many people.... I am beyond thankful for all the friendships I have built within the walls of this creative space.

While each of these people will eventually get their own blog post, I want to share a little bit for now...

Jayne has been the most amazing "employer" ever. We have become friends and shared moments where we have laughed 'till we cried (and I told that beer vendor that inappropriate comment about her at the Maroon 5 concert that time). She gave me an opportunity to make a career change that wound up being one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Jenn and I made bff status not long after I started at {cc}. She is the reason I was brave enough to make the change and leave my preschool position to come play with paper. We have bonded over martinis, dasani and cheez-its, and Tori. We have shared laughter and tears (and a bed a few times). She can't resist my *hot* elbows, and she scares the crap out of me with her Boston driving skills.

MelissER, thanks for listening to me bitch and for letting me labor at your house :D Your chicken chili recipe shall forever follow me to every pot luck function I ever attend. Your incredible-shrinking-layout skills will NEVER be rivaled ;)

Erin. erin erin erin erin erin. I can't even go there right now.

******************

I posted this (in the middle of the night while trying to stay awake rocking Sadie back to sleep) on a customers' facebook status in regards to her being upset at the loss of {cc}:

After 12 years in business, and being built on hard work and dreams, of course it isn't something Jayne WANTS to do. When people spend their money at big box stores and on line instead of shopping locally, independent stores die. How can a small store of any kind compete with 40% off coupons and free shipping?? They can't. What is sad is that the place where so many people found inspiration, friendship, amazing classes and personalized customer service is going to be gone FOREVER. You can't get that with free shipping or with a 40% coupon. I hope everyone enjoys their piles if discounted products they've collected over the years that are probably still sitting unused in the original shopping bags whole crying that their LSS is closing up shop. Good luck finding that home-away-from-home at Michael's or A.C. Moore.

This is a generalized statement not targeted at any specific individual, but it is an accurate illustration of why LSS' close their doors. Cape Cod is a small community, and there isn't much room for competition among small businesses and "the big guys" when economic times are as they have been over the last few years. It just plain sucks.

________, you are so right that this place is more than just a store. Your excitement and dedication to {cc} over the years has been amazingly touching. Thank you for being a part of our family.

I know this comment might upset or offend some people, but it it true and right now there is no reason for me to hold back how I really feel about the whole situation.

We all have choices, myself included. We can support local businesses or we can keep ordering from discount websites and complain when our favorite book store closes due to poor sales and inability to pay the rent. We can eat at chain restaurants while the mom-and-pop diner that has been open for 40 years closes its doors. We can stock up of loads of crappy products just because we think we're getting them for a bargain and watch the demise of yet another small business because they couldn't offer the same steep discounts as the big box stores. We can sacrifice QUALITY for QUANTITY and be left with piles of stuff we will never use.

What stinks the most isn't just that we are losing a store. We are losing a place that we found friendship. We are losing the place "where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came". Can you walk into WalMart and the person standing at the door greets you by name, or remembers you like a certain brand of cleaning product? Where else do you get personalized service, where the staff sees you coming and is excited to show you the new line of product that they know is just your style? Nowhere.

We have choices to make every day. If we choose to spend our money at big box stores and online for goods we have available from local businesses, we lose the right to complain when the little guys go under.

I want to thank all of the people who have supported Colorful Creations over the years. I want to thank the people who have become friends, who have taken the time to get to know me and share in my sorrows and joys. You helped make {cc} a home to us all, and you will be missed.

Comments

[sarah kristiansen]

It is truly heartbreaking for so many people, especially those of us who have always felt at home with all of you. Can't even begin to fathom what you girls are all going through. We are losing something wonderful when {cc} closes its doors…and we are all the worse for it.

[Katherine B]

I really LOVED reading your post. I lost my store (Cherished Moments, LLC) a couple of years ago . . . for the reasons you mentioned . . . kinda find it bittersweet that someone finally "gets it." And now . . . with NO WHERE to shop but the box chains (we lost a DOZEN stores over a period of just two years in our region) . . . Micheal's, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, etc. . . . even Archiver's . . . I typically don't. ESPECIALLY Archiver's.

Sending you and the owners of Colorful Creations my sincerest sympathies. Wishing you all the best of luck in whatever you would endeavor in next.

[deb munn]

Perfectly said and I couldn't agree more.

[steph]

I love this post Melissa. The first time I met you was at {cc} and we were wearing the same silpada earrings! When I learned of the news, I literally felt like I had been punched in the gut, and I know that pales in comparison to what you girls are feeling... I have always believed in supporting my local community by shopping local, but this post has really inspired me to step-it-up. For someone who doesn't live anywhere NEAR {cc} it still felt like a home-away-from-home to me as well, and I am definitely heartbroken to see it go. Especially heartbroken for those of you who frequent the store regularly and have built friendships with other customers there... :( Just so sad...

[Glenda J]

This is terrific post... thanks for sharing your thoughts. All very true. I'm a friend Jenn's from the West Coast and I could always tell from her comments what a special place {CC} was. Wish I could have come to visit. Big hugs to you all...

[Kim Howard]

very well said, I am not close to there, but I did shop there (and took a class from you) while I was vacation there and it was a wonderful store and I know that you will be missed amongst all those customers that frequented it.

[Victoria]

Sorry to hear about the closing of your home away from home. I too own a store and every day is a struggle for all the reasons you mention. Here's hoping people wake up soon and realize big box stores and online stores are not helping their local economies! You might want to check out the 3/50 Project.

[meghan]

This is just heartbreaking, and it's one of my biggest fears that I know is probably unavoidable at some point in the future, however distant or near. Our community in St. John's (Newfoundland) is even smaller and we've had to expand our business to Wedding Invitations and other avenues just to stay afloat.

It's sad that shoppers don't realize that 40% off at Michael's often EQUALS the regular sticker price they are paying at a LSS, not accounting for frequent buyer programs, class discounts, and all the other little perks that go along with shopping locally.

The whole thing is just sad. I am so, so sorry to hear this news.

[Christi]

whenever I'm in the mid-Cape area, I try to make a stop at Colorful Creations. They are so friendly and nice! I am lucky to have a thriving LSS in my area. Honestly, I don't shop there often because they *aren't* friendly and approachable. However, I'm also not buying as many supplies as I was 10 years ago. I'm not buying at the LSS or the big box.

[Ann English]

I live in a small town in MD where I do try to support local business. Yup, online is cheaper but you are NOT connected. I lived on the Cape for years and discovered Colorful Creations when I was working on my Masters through Lesley...followed y'all to Hyannis and spent oh, so much $$$ there even though AC Moore had those coupons. It was more then just the quality merchandise that attracted me to Colorful Creations. It was the PEOPLE, people that truly understood my passion, people that inspired...Oh, how I hoped you would ride out this economic storm. Do you think folks will ever realize what they are losing with a totally online or big box world?! I am mourning your loss, too.

[Sherri]

This is so sad it has come to this. I love this store. I've only been there once when I was visiting Joanie and Lesa. I loved it there and I love Jenn. I met her once and she was so nice and friendly. I know Joanie and Lesa will truly miss this one of a kind store!! Hugs to all!!!

[mary k]

Oh sweet Melissa, I am so sad. I feel like I have lost my best friend. Your post is dead on. I admit, I have bought things at the "big stores," but I tried not to buy items that CC carried. I am going to miss all of you sooooo much!

[Colleen Leahey]

I wholeheartedly agree, and I love your post.. I only wish I was still scrappin' and could have supported CC more, but the babes are taking up all of my time. My mom lost her small local fabric store in NY when Joanne's became a common household name...It really sucks and I'm just so sorry to see you all go...my heart is heavy

[breanne]

this made me cry. <3 to you all. so glad i was lucky enough to visit cc and all the lovely people who worked there <3

[Joanie Mowers]

I too, am devastated by this news.
I cannot stop thinking abut it!
I feel so badly that I couldn't continue to spend, spend, spend as I had in previous years. I haven't even been in the "other" stores in months...except for some mini candle lightbulbs at ACM's.
It's true...I do have piles of things I haven't used yet, but most of it did come from CC....{I worry about my paper hoarding tendencies....now that I won't be able to get the 'good stuff' at CC after this summer.}
I know that if it weren't for CC I wouldn't be the happy, stampy girl I am. Great friends, wonderful inspiration, and such phenomenal products available.
We will miss you all.
HUGS
Joanie

[kimj]

beautifully written Melissa!

[Diane S.]

Well said...it is the small independent shop where customers are more like family and real relationships develop. I, too, feel sad and at a loss...especially now I'm living on the Cape again and so looked forward to {cc} classes. I can't imagine how you all are feeling, but know that so many of us are with you at this time.

[k]

bummer, man. one of the best stores i have ever visited.ugh

[Kim V.]

True, true, true facts. I hope we can all keep in touch. I know it's not likely, but our love for paper-crafting may help us meet again. Thank you for putting it all so well Melissa. Everything I learned that was outside of my basic knowledge was learned from the most talented women at CC and the friendships will never compete.

[Mary Sara P.]

Melissa, what a wonderful post and tribute. I am truly going to miss the place that everyone knew my name and made me feel so welcome every time I came in the door as you said so above. I truly hope that we stay in touch as you are a special person as is everyone who works at CC as well as all the friends and people I have met there. Love you!