A Perth shoe shop has been forced to close after a fire ‘wiped out’ its entire inventory.
Petit Pas, on Scott Street, announced on Thursday that the business will be “paused” for the foreseeable future.
Smoke damage from a fire at the Blue Lagoon next door in January led to all its stock becoming unusable.
The business had been temporarily closed since the January 29 fire.
Petit Pas store in Perth to close after smoke damage
Petit Pas is owned by Lori McGaffney, who is also the president of the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and owns Evalucia in the city centre.
In a post on Facebook, she said: “It’s with much sadness we announce that we will have to hit pause on Petit Pas as a business.
“The smoke damage at the end of January wiped out the store’s entire inventory, which was soul-destroying.
“Add to this already existing buildings issues relating to water ingress and damp – we had been trying hard with little success to ensure these issues had been resolved.
“Meaning post smoke damage, reopening in our current store just wasn’t looking like an option.
“We are still a young business, factoring all costs into the equation, buying ourselves out a lease, moving costs, rates, significantly increased stock costs we feel it’s just not currently viable, or sensible to do so.”
‘Thank you so much for your loyalty’
She added: “Our customers, thank you so much for your loyalty, we are so grateful.
“We can’t believe the growing customer database we’ve managed to build.
“We’ve loved every minute of it and I know the team took great pleasure and pride in providing you all with their first shoes, toddlers shoes, school shoes and every other precious pair of shoes they’ve fitted.
“if anyone might be interested in taking on the name, customer base and any fixtures and fittings, we would be happy to discuss this.
“The biggest asset is a wonderful manager and staff who have got to know the children’s shoe game so very, very well.”
The decision to close the Scott Street shop left many people gutted for Lori and her staff.
‘Wonderful shop’
One person wrote: “So sorry to read this. Thinking of you all.
“What a wonderful shop and experience every time my wee boy came in to get his shoes.
Another added: “Very sad to hear this and cannot imagine the devastation you have all felt.
“I loved coming in with my kids. You were incredibly helpful with taking your time with them which I appreciated hugely.”
Lori McGaffney declined to comment when approached by The Courier.
You can keep track of all the occupied and empty units across Perth’s city centre with The Courier’s retail tracker.
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