Video: Terry Smith Closing Clara Bows Boutique
Clara Bows Boutique will be closing its doors, with owner Terry Smith saying the lack of sales has affected business to the point it isn’t viable to stay open.
“It’s not something that was easy to do, but it was definitely something that was very necessary because of the fact in the last year there has been drastic changes in terms of sales, in terms of traffic in this community.” said Mr Smith.
“The bottom line is sales are going to generate revenue, and without revenue the business won’t do well. And I can’t afford to be in a business that is not going to be doing well.”
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He said he doesn’t think it’s just the Court Street area, he thinks its island wide. “There are so many other things that are affecting sales and the retail business, and right now its not looking very promising and I cannot afford to be in business any longer than I am now,” said Mr Smith.
Mr Smith said one has to face challenges head on, and he has learned quite a bit, enjoyed the experience and it’s now time to move on. “Everything you do, you should learn from it,” he said.
The clothes at Clara Bows Boutique are on sale, with most items going for as low as $10, and cocktail dresses going for $25. While we were in the store, consumers were stopping in to take advantage of the low prices.
Mr Smith — who is the promoter of the Miss Teen Pageant and Miss Big & Beautiful Pageant — plans to stay connected with the local fashion scene, while hoping to move back into the hotel industry.
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Thats sad, nice guy, nice business, good luck Terry
Sorry to hear about the store closing. Hope the economy turns around so that Mr. Smith and others will be back in business soon.
This is so sad and such a disappointment. Sorry to hear this Terry but I know you will be back again when (and if) things turn around. Much success to you for your future endeavours.
Well I personally think there isnt a thing in that store worth buying
I mean not ONE thing! How it lasted this long, is just baffling! I mean who were target buyers? it was like halloween all year round in there
ESC did you even go into the store to see what he had. It may not have looked like very much from the outside but inside the help Terry gave was phenomenal. I personally have bought many items from Terry and everytime I wear something from his store I get compliments on what I am wearing. Terry new my size and my taste and even when the hubby went in to get something for me he always walked out with a bag full. so you can say what you like but Terry your store will be missed.
I am sorry to see your little shop closing. The first time I visited your shop, I had the same line of thinking that ECS had, but had to look at everything nevertheless. I found a quite racy hot pink sequined and beaded top that when worn with a simple black suit made me look and feel like the diva I had kept well hidden under my classic duds. I still have it and will continue to wear it, always remembering how pleasant you were to deal with and how you showed this 60+ lady that it’s easy and quite OK to look “hot” even in one’s advanced years. Wishing you much luck with your next venture!
sorry to hear, but I dont think it was just a sign of the times, The product was sub par.If we want to have honest conversation the store would not have done will in the best of ecconomies.
Terry, all the best in your future endeavours and please ignore all negative comments! I wonder how many of these “fashion experts” have actually owned a business? One must remember, what may not be their taste in clothing may appeal to others. That’s what fashion is all about-individuality! I only hope that our experts here have wardrobes that reflect the opposite of what they say Mr. Smith’s merchandise looked like to them instead of being the epitome of Bermuda’s “What not to Wear!”
I guess it’s true:
“one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”
(although I’m sure it’s true of women’s junk too!)
All the best Terry.
Terry I am not sad that your store has closed. __*edited*____ . The clothes that you sold were cheap and degraded they young women. It reinforced the debased values that is responsible for confusing our young people. I am not sad that your store has closed.
Is it just me, or is this something a bit bigger than what someone may have for sale in their shop? The description of cheap, degrading and debased values can also apply to what we see and hear radio or see in every news media outlet! What I think is more concerning here is that another Bermudian proprietor is being forced to close their doors. It makes you wonder who is next. Because when you look at it realistically, none of us will own our own businesses in the next five years at this rate. There will only be exclusive boutiques, non-Bermudian owned clothing or dry goods and department style stores. So while your thinking about the fact that the clothing didn’t tickle your fashion palette, think about your fellow countrymen losing their businesses to this economy, and how long it may take before some sort of solution will be found.
Yes it is Just you! He should simply accept the fact that nobody is being bamboozled by this high priced back of town get rich quick scheming exploitative merchant. i am not sad that Terry is shut down. He needed to be shut down a long time ago!
@CYA—sounds like you need retail therapy ….or a snickers..good luck Terry, you are a Bermuda star!
Apparently you all have some retail skills and know what it is like to run a shop in this country. The simple fact that he was open as long as he was says something about his shop.
Stop shutting down a shop that is already closing down.
Really what is your point besides being nasty?
Clearly this man displays an attitude some people have yet to learn. I am sorry Terry, never been to your shop to experience it…that said good luck in the future.
@Rubes if that is true! I’m sure you looked a HOTT mess everytime you walked out of that store! But hey to each is own!
ECS Quite contrary to your belief a HOTT mess I don’t think so. Terry’s items were far more better and presentable than what you would find in some of the other clothing stores around Hamilton. So think what you like but his store will be missed by many.
I find it quite amazing that people seem to be rejoicing the fact that someone has had to shut down his business because of the country’s failed economy. Terry catered to a niche market and was very successful for a long time. Just because some of you found his merchandise not to your liking does not necessarily mean that it was sub-par or junk. Anything I ever bought from his shop was well made, beautifully designed and reasonably priced. Bear in mind it is not always the clothing that makes a person look skanky, but rather the person that makes the clothing appear so.
Well said Groundhog.
Applause Groundhog! Well CYA. I guess it wasn’t “Just Me” after all. But the odious personality and obvious personal attacks belong to “Just YOU.” Good luck with your wardrobe and your ability to spread sunshine wherever your words are printed.
Terry, I am sorry to see that you are being forced to close Clara’s due to the economic climate. In the past I have found some reasonably nice buys in your store and was very satisfied. To all those who think you sold cheap crappy stuff, they are judging the book from the cover. I’m sure they have taken time to admirer someone walking down the road in your sold goods. They probably can’t read, so it would make no sense telling them to open the book and read the story. Now it’s too late.
Best wishes in the future!!
Ive never been in your store but Im sorry to see you (or anyone) closing down a businesses. Good luck in the future.
Terry
Some things you sold were not my taste and some things I liked and bought. This will happen at any store!
All the best in your future endevours. Don’t pay attention to the haters and wannabees…their nasty personality has nothing to do with your store. They are just down-right nasty and what goes around always comes around. We don’t need to attack someone while they are down..encourage them and lift them up…is so much kinder..be a blessing not a curse….AMEN
Really, they are just trying to get you discouraged but you are BIGGER than that..and WE see right through them..