SOMETIMES
In life, sometimes we have to listen to our head instead of our heart. Sometimes the best decision we have to make has some tough consequences. Sometimes what is best for us is not what we want most of all. Sometimes we have to do hard things, knowing there is no other way. Sometimes, the best things will come after making difficult choices. Sometimes to feel calm, you have to do something that is very painful first.
We have done that this week. We know that (deep in our gut and even deeper in our heart) lots of things have led us here, and we know now what we are supposed to do. Yes, we are closing our retail storefront. After 9 years it is time to move on with a new direction and some new challenges. Yes, we are going to have a tough time doing it. Yes, we will miss seeing our regular customers who have become such good friends over the years, but we hope we will continue to see them at our Crop Events as the new face of Scrapbook Central evolves. Most definitely we will miss the fine people we have worked with over the years and our current staff are going to be bit sad too, so please be gentle with them.
The end of our lease, coupled with our inability to find suitable premises, an inflexible and costly industrial relations system, and the contracting retail market were the catalyst for our decision. In addition, we have been unsuccessful in finding a suitable buyer to take over Scrapbook Central which is a great pity. After nine years, its time to something else, something for us.
We have had a long year with family health issues, Bob has recently turned 60, and with another beautiful Grandbaby coming, we knew the time was right to move on. The decision did not come lightly or without lots of prayers and a few tears, but we knew this chapter in our lives was ending. You know what? It felt right, it still feels right. We want you to be happy for us as we start this new journey. After nine years, its time to something else, something for us.
We will continue to run Crop Retreats and Crop Days and will shortly launch our brand new website with an online store that we have been working on. Make sure you add the new website address to your favourites once it is online. It will take sometime to get it fully running but there will be terrific clearance bargains as we reduce stock to more manageable levels.
We are on Facebook and will continue to update the Blog and send out newsletters but you will need to re-subscribe for these on our new site. The web address is the same but you will need to type it into your web browsers address bar (www.scrapcentral.com.au). We will do everything we can to stay in touch and let you know our future events and plans, so please spread the word about the new website and estore in your travels.
So you get to be happy as well, we will be selling lots and lots of our stock at crazy prices and will also be clearing some of our furniture, fittings & equipment; including workroom chairs, tools, supplies and odds n ends – so lets us know if you are interested in anything.
Our last Technique Tuesday will be held on Tuesday October 4th and our last Cardology Workshop will be on October 6th. Sadly we will not be having another Midnight Madness before closing. Our last day of trading at 6 Onslow Place will be on Saturday October 15th when we will close the doors for the last time as a retail outlet.
Our Retreat to Swanleigh at the end of October is definitely going ahead, as this is part of our new direction, and we have lots planned for this weekend of creativity and fun.
As an aside, if you think you want to buy the best scrapbooking shop in Perth, our business, then be quick so we can help you find and move into new premises. Please, only serious parties at this time, we will be so busy with our end of lease commitment that we can not waste precious time.
Thank you for letting us share our passion for scrapbooking and paper-crafting to record all the important things in life with you. We are truly grateful for your loyalty, enthusiasm, and friendship.
Kindest regards
Ruth & Bob Sprague
