24 years. Countless challenges. Two sisters. One vision.
It is with very heavy hearts that we have made the tough decision to transition into “survival mode.” We have braved every setback in the last 24 years without ever cutting our hours. However, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.
Starting tomorrow, March 16, we will be closed three days a week. We will be OPEN four days a week. Closing for an unbroken 72 hours each week will help protect our customers by significantly reducing the risk of spreading viruses within our walls. We will, of course, continue to clean and disinfect every surface, and we will spray our store each night with disinfectant.
Our new hours will be:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 11AM – 6PM
- Friday: 11AM – 6PM
- Saturday: 11AM – 6PM
- Sunday: 12PM – 5PM
We – The STUFF Sisters – will be working during store hours with our family and closest friends. Our part-time staff has been laid off because many of them have “at risk” family members. Our only full-time sales staff member was laid off to enable access to available unemployment funds. We hope to call them “home” as soon as possible.
Yes, this is one of the worst days in our professional lives. It is heart-breaking. It is devastating. It is demoralizing. It is impossible to wrap our heads around what is happening in our greater small business community. Big box and online retailers are making money in this frenzy, small businesses are losing money every hour. This is where saving our local communities becomes as real as it gets.
Our sales are down 65% since March 1. In hopes of saving our beloved store, we want to do everything we can to continue to provide opportunities to our local artists and small business vendors, as well as to ensure that our employees have a place to call home when this storm has passed.
As many of you know – from our blogs and social media posts – both our mother and our father have terminal cancers. Many caring and thoughtful customers have asked us about them this week. Please know they are in voluntary quarantine, and we will not be visiting them in person for a bit. We will miss these precious days with them; nevertheless, it must be done. They raised us to be strong, caring women, and we will try our best to do them proud in the coming months. Like them, we will continue to fight.
Please, please support locally owned businesses. We will be coming to you soon with creative ideas for shopping our store. Remember, when you shop at our store you are also supporting the local artists, makers, and creators we represent. In the meantime, if you would like to buy a gift certificate to our store, to be used in the coming weeks and months, you can do so at astorenamedstuff.com.
We will stay in touch. Be safe. Support local. Flatten the curve. Wash your hands.
The STUFF Sisters
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You’ve done the right thing. Praying for Refuah shlemah (healing) got all of us.
Beth:
Thank you for your hope for healing!
The whole world is reeling and we and thankful for our community and its care for us when so many are hurting.
We look forward to your next visit to OUR favorite store, whenever the healing has begun.
Please take care and be safe.
– sloane & casey
So sorry it has come to this. Your store is unique, and I always visit when in town. Prayers for you as this road isn’t easy to follow. And prayers for your parents as their journey continues. May God bless us all in these uncertain times.
Melinda:
We thank you for the blessing of your kind note. Truly.
We look forward to your next visit and the day we are all celebrating in OUR favorite store! This will be in the rear view mirror sometime, right?
Your concern for our parents is touching and we are thankful for technology – phones and photos and texts – so that we can “be” with them even when we can’t.
Take good care of all you hold dear.
– sloane & casey
This is heartbreaking, but obviously the right thing to do during the worst of this crisis. Take all the precautions and spend quality time with your parents as well. I’m sharing to highlight the absolute need to patronize small businesses. I’ll be in soon, need to isolate as much as possible for another week or so.
Barb:
The whole world is reeling and we are deeply touched that you took time to send a note. Thank you very, very much!
We look forward to your visit when the time is right. Rest assured, we will be fully fumigated and will save you a pair of latex gloves, should you want them for your shopping pleasures.
Take care of everyone you love and know your note made a difference to these small business owners.
– sloane & casey
Love you two. Sending you love and will drop in and shop as soon as I can.
Shelly:
The concoctions coming out of your kitchen are awe-inspiring! Keep up the photos! We are eating it up and not gaining a pound.
Thank you for such a kind note and taking time to write it. We love you, too!
xo
– sloane & casey
As you’ve been part of so many of our life events so too will we be here for you. Live and hugs.
Lisa:
You are so kind and you made us a little bit teary. Such a touching note.
Thank you for letting us into your life … and for helping with ours as we find our way with everyone else through this challenge.
Be well and stay safe. Wash your hands for goodness sake!
– sloane & casey
Thinking of you and your family at this time. Sorry you have had to reduce the hours of the business. Take care. Love, Tracy & Bob
Tracy:
The whole world is hurting and we are but a small part.
Your note was a lovely reminder that our community is holding us up.
We will get through this. We come from strong people … but you already know that!
xoxoxo to you all.
– sloane & casey
Hate to see this happen to our neighborhood friends and family. We love you all.
Stay safe and healthy. Enjoy each other while home.
Connie:
You are kind to send a note. Thank you.
We will all get through this together and we hope your family and all the people they care for and love are doing well.
Stay healthy and keep posting pictures of your amazing home and food. You keep our spirits up!
– sloane & casey
Dear Friends, My heart goes out to you in this difficult time. Please be assured I’ll be shopping with you on open days. At times like this, a gift from a friend can brighten an otherwise dim day. Stay strong and let your “family” know how we can continue to support you.
Bev!
Thank you so very much for your kind note! We look forward to the days we are open so that we can “see” people … from a distance!
Our store will be fully fumigated and we will be offering latex gloves for those shoppers who want them.
You are a gem and we are thankful. So many people and businesses and arts organizations you love are hurting. You are sweet to reach out.
– sloane & casey
We love you guys and your fantastic store. Remind people they can call you to buy something and meet them at the curb! We have been shopping that way. Keeps us shopping and gifting! Sending love!
Christy:
We are working on ways to make this work! And yours is on the list!
Stay tuned and thank you for your note. You are the best.
– sloane & casey
Thanks for the update Casey and Sloane. I ache for your store, your genuine friendships with so many of your customers and especially for your family! I didn’t know your Mother and Father are both dealing with terminal cancer. What a year 2020 has been for you both. I’ll send positive thoughts and virtual hugs your way each time I think of you – which will be often.
Our son and daughter-in-law live near your store so I passed along your update to them. They love the Stuff store and plan to stop in on an open day. Please take care of yourselves!
Cathy:
Thank you for sending such a lovely note. We all have trials at this time so the beauty, if there is any, is that we are not alone.
Being in this with the world makes our troubles seem small.
Thank you for taking time to reach out. I look forward to a real hug very soon!
– sloane
Dear friends, please know your media family is sending love and millions of hugs. You’d be surprised how often your names pop up- you will always have dear friends in us – certainly me.
I’m thinking of your folks, your kids and you both. Sending love and healing energy your way.
See you soon. LauraZ
Laura:
Thank you. Those two simple words speak volumes right now. Thank you for a lovely note and for your love.
We are all in this together and we firmly believe that it will be in the rear view mirror in time. Our hope is that suffering will be at a minimum until then. To all of our “media family” we say thank you – and expect you to carry that message to them! – for keeping us informed, engaged, and educated. It must be very tiring right now and we are grateful.
Take care of yourself and keep your family safe. We will see you very soon.
xo
– sloane & casey
p.s. We were doing fine with all the cancellations until the plug was pulled on the FUNd drive. Dang it. That’s just too much.
I have so much respect, admiration and love not only for your support of our community…but also for your selflessness in always doing the right thing and setting the example for others to hopefully follow. You know I love you both just because you are you.
Know that your community (aka family) is here and will be supporting you anyway we can!
Sending healing waves of only good STUFF. Be safe.
Much love,
Mary
Mary:
Your note leaves us breathless. Thank you for all the comfort and support. Well, and love.
Every person on this planet has to be scared right now and we feel like a mere speck. We firmly believe that a day will come where this will be in the rear view mirror for all of us. Our hope is that suffering will be at a minimum until then.
Thank you for being there for us and for taking time to send such an incredible message.
Be well and stay safe.
– sloane & casey, the stuff sisters