07/13/2023
This is the post I do not know how to write. In fact, it was so difficult for me personally, I had to ask friends to help revise my thoughts. This is the final draft.
After 13 years, I have closed my store and locked up for the final time. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. Many of my loyal supporters (and I love you all) feel that I was run off, but it was my choice. I left.
I've been with the club over 20 years as a hockey parent, like many of you, and have been proud to run your pro shop for the past 13 years. There have been many decisions made over the past 18 months that I cannot get onboard with and I feel are wrong on so many levels. Ultimately many of these have resulted in not being able to sustain a business, but more importantly properly serve the families of the club.
I have humbly and proudly viewed myself as a matriarch and steward of our club, even when I was new to it. At some point, for your own self respect and self esteem, you stop fighting to be appreciated and valued.
The most difficult part about leaving for me is not supporting the kids and families, that I have become so close to throughout the years, and watching them grow and finish their youth hockey careers. Not seeing the pups that I have already sold skates to, put on the sweater for the first time breaks my heart.
I've moved the sharpener to my garage but I am not set up yet to take appointments. I’ve made a bunch of commitments to keep blades sharp and I am determined to keep my word😉. I will let you know ASAP once that happens. Please do not trust just any chain store or shop with a sparx machine - you will be doing your skater a great disservice. If not by me, do a bit of homework and get them done properly by someone with the right training.
I will see a lot of you soon, some of you I won't. Either way, I appreciate everything and will miss you greatly. Please understand, I had to leave.
Thank you,
Lynne
