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The atmosphere at 347 Elgin St. was heavy with sadness and nostalgia Sunday.
Shelves were empty, no meat sat behind the glass panels at the deli counter and the long fruit rack that runs along the front window of the store lay bare as the owners of Boushey’s Fruit Market prepared to close the doors for the last time that afternoon.
Mark Boushey, a co-owner, stood talking to a few customers in front of a shelf carrying some of the last few items that had been marked down by 50 per cent in an effort to quickly sell them off.
“It is a bit sad because this has been 70 years going in the family but we have no regrets about deciding to retire. We’re ready for it,” he said.
An employee at the grocery store since he was 13, Mark, now 47, said the 60-hour work weeks were just becoming too much to handle for he and his brother, Peter.
“The work is difficult — it is a very demanding job — but we are going to miss the people.”
From left, brothers and co-owners Peter and Mark Boushey from Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street poses for a photo in the cashier area as they close it’s doors for the last time on Sunday, July 31, 2016.
Heather Lindsay, a regular customer for about 30 years, was mingling with another regular around a large coffee dispenser that visitors were encouraged to drink from for free.
“The staff would get to know you and say, ‘Hi, how are you?’ ” said Lindsay, smiling. “There was always good humour among employees, the produce was always fresh, the kibbeh was always good.”
With her home only a block away, Boushey’s was always the place she would run to at the last second to get that one ingredient she forgot to pick up for dinner, she said.
“I guess I’ll have to be better organized if I’m going to be cooking — I’ll have to make sure I have everything.”
On the sidewalk immediately outside the store-front windows was a trickle of people walking along, paying notice to the signs that read “50 per cent off! Absolutely everything in store.” Just beyond those signs were two large pieces of bristol board filled with well wishes for Mark, his brother and other employees.
“So so sad you are leaving us. You provided so much and we all thank you,” wrote Jo-Anne Whissell.
“I find it so sad because they provided so much and their fresh fruit was amazing,” Whissell said as she gripped her dog’s leash.
Back inside, extended members of the Boushey family gathered near the deli at the back of the store to reminisce on the place that had been a staple in the community for decades.
“This is a complete bummer, it’s awful,” said Jasmine Boushey, Peter’s daughter. “I always assumed I’d eventually continue on with the business,” she added, trying to hold back tears.
For Jasmine, Boushey’s was part of her home, she said, reflecting on times she spent playing in the store’s basement as a kid or running around the once-fully stocked aisles.
Looking to the future, Mark admitted that he’s going to relax a bit and just focus on the easier task of managing the property formerly occupied by Boushey’s.
“That’s obviously not going to take up too much time so I’ve just got to learn to play golf, I guess.”
No confirmation could be given on what business would move into the space.
Twitter.com/Aidan4jrn
Shelves are mostly empty as patron visits Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street on it’s last day as they close their doors. Sunday, July 31, 2016.
Brothers and co-owners Peter and Mark Boushey from Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street.
Peter Boushey from Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street poses for a photo in the empty butcher shop.
Mark Boushey from Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street poses for a photo in the empty butcher shop.
Mark Boushey from Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street poses for a photo among the empty shelves.
查看原文...
Shelves were empty, no meat sat behind the glass panels at the deli counter and the long fruit rack that runs along the front window of the store lay bare as the owners of Boushey’s Fruit Market prepared to close the doors for the last time that afternoon.
Mark Boushey, a co-owner, stood talking to a few customers in front of a shelf carrying some of the last few items that had been marked down by 50 per cent in an effort to quickly sell them off.
“It is a bit sad because this has been 70 years going in the family but we have no regrets about deciding to retire. We’re ready for it,” he said.
An employee at the grocery store since he was 13, Mark, now 47, said the 60-hour work weeks were just becoming too much to handle for he and his brother, Peter.
“The work is difficult — it is a very demanding job — but we are going to miss the people.”
From left, brothers and co-owners Peter and Mark Boushey from Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street poses for a photo in the cashier area as they close it’s doors for the last time on Sunday, July 31, 2016.
Heather Lindsay, a regular customer for about 30 years, was mingling with another regular around a large coffee dispenser that visitors were encouraged to drink from for free.
“The staff would get to know you and say, ‘Hi, how are you?’ ” said Lindsay, smiling. “There was always good humour among employees, the produce was always fresh, the kibbeh was always good.”
With her home only a block away, Boushey’s was always the place she would run to at the last second to get that one ingredient she forgot to pick up for dinner, she said.
“I guess I’ll have to be better organized if I’m going to be cooking — I’ll have to make sure I have everything.”
On the sidewalk immediately outside the store-front windows was a trickle of people walking along, paying notice to the signs that read “50 per cent off! Absolutely everything in store.” Just beyond those signs were two large pieces of bristol board filled with well wishes for Mark, his brother and other employees.
“So so sad you are leaving us. You provided so much and we all thank you,” wrote Jo-Anne Whissell.
“I find it so sad because they provided so much and their fresh fruit was amazing,” Whissell said as she gripped her dog’s leash.
Back inside, extended members of the Boushey family gathered near the deli at the back of the store to reminisce on the place that had been a staple in the community for decades.
“This is a complete bummer, it’s awful,” said Jasmine Boushey, Peter’s daughter. “I always assumed I’d eventually continue on with the business,” she added, trying to hold back tears.
For Jasmine, Boushey’s was part of her home, she said, reflecting on times she spent playing in the store’s basement as a kid or running around the once-fully stocked aisles.
Looking to the future, Mark admitted that he’s going to relax a bit and just focus on the easier task of managing the property formerly occupied by Boushey’s.
“That’s obviously not going to take up too much time so I’ve just got to learn to play golf, I guess.”
No confirmation could be given on what business would move into the space.
Twitter.com/Aidan4jrn
Shelves are mostly empty as patron visits Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street on it’s last day as they close their doors. Sunday, July 31, 2016.
Brothers and co-owners Peter and Mark Boushey from Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street.
Peter Boushey from Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street poses for a photo in the empty butcher shop.
Mark Boushey from Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street poses for a photo in the empty butcher shop.
Mark Boushey from Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin Street poses for a photo among the empty shelves.
查看原文...
