‘It’s time’ says Liz after 20 years in retail

Narrabri shoppers, and visitors to town, have long been used to the welcoming face of Liz Panton at Liz’s Gift and Kitchenware in Maitland Street.

However, the two decades of friendly service in her well stocked store are coming to an end.

The store will close on March 31 and is in the midst of a huge sale to clear stock ahead of the closure.

“We have been busy,” said Mrs Panton, as customers thronged the shop.

The move to close Liz’s Gift and Kitchenware, so long a part of the Narrabri retail scene, has been met with regret by Mrs Panton’s customers.

Closing down is not a decision taken lightly.

“However, it’s time,” said Mrs Panton.

“A number of factors led me to make the decision to close the store. I thought long and hard about it, of course, but once the decision was made it was simple.”

For the past 20 years Mrs Panton has operated the store stocked with kitchen and giftware of all kinds to cater for the diverse needs of customers.

Twenty years in business is a long time, particularly in the environment of the past few years.

“There are a range of factors which have led me to decide to close,” said Mrs Panton.

“I am approaching the age when many people retire.

“And any businessperson will agree that times are very tough and have been tough for several years.

“And I am disappointed with the number of local people who go to Tamworth or shop online,” said Mrs Panton.

“These two elements really impact on the capability of local small businesses to operate and survive.

“The few dollars that local shoppers might save buying out of town or online mean that local small businesses of all kinds are being hurt.

“If our local businesses are not supported, there will just be no small businesses in town.

“Another aspect is that older shoppers tend not to shop online – their options will be limited if there are no stores which will be able to carry the range.”

Mrs Panton thanked her ‘many lovely customers’ for their support over the years.

Meanwhile, the closing down sale will continue until March 31.