Earlier this month I wrote about the closing of Crabtree & Evelyn — including the snippy response I got when I called the store seeking comment.
Today the situation was far different. As soon as I wandered in, Barbara — though about to lose her job — was eager to please.
As she answered questions from other customers — politely vulturing the shelves during these deep discount days — I spoke with a woman working her way through the 5 stages of grief.
“At Christmas, I always bought nice soaps for my cleaning lady’s little girls,” she said. “They think those are the cat’s meow.”
She paused. “This is the way of the world these days, I guess.”
Then it was Barbara’s turn.
“The home office didn’t need to send us boxes,” she said. “They could have sent therapists. Some of our customers have been shopping here for 16 years — since we opened. When they walk through the door, we know what they want. They don’t know what they’re going to do now.”
Yesterday, Barbara told a woman she could still shop online. “But no one will talk to me like you do!” the customer declared.
The Brooks Corner Crabtree & Evelyn closes July 26. You’ve still got a few days to say goodbye to the loyal staff: Barbara, Laurie and Jeriann.
The lotions, moisturizers and body polishes are going fast at Crabtree & Evelyn