A couple who left early retirement to start a fashion shop are finally calling it a day after 32 years.
Janet and Paul Boyd were once the youngest hoteliers in Llandudno - running the former Mayfair Hotel in their early 20s.
They later went on to own the Town and Country restaurant in Rhuddlan - which they ran for 17 years before taking “early retirement” in their 40s.
The couple very quickly realised it was too early to call it a day in business and set up ladies boutique Sapphire International Fashion in Llandudno in 1990.
It has been going strong ever since but now the time has come to move on with the business up for sale as they make their second attempt at retirement in their early 70s.
Blacks Business Brokers are seeking offers in the region of £79,950 to take over the business, and the landlords of the Gloddaeth Street property have indicated they will be happy to negotiate a new lease with the purchaser.
Janet said: “After leaving Town and Country we realised very quickly that we were too young to retire and really opened the shop until we decided what we would do next as we had no experience in retail, although I had modelled a bit in the 70s.
“But from the day we opened we were so busy.”
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While the years passed and fashions changed the store remained popular - always putting quality ahead of chasing the latest trend.
Janet added: “We kept mutating what we offered but it was always about quality.
“We were never interested in making women look like girls - if I thought something looked unsuitable I would not buy it.
“Our lovely customers kept coming back, we even had people coming here from places like New York and Gibraltar a couple of times a year, as well as our lovely local customers.
“There were celebrities as well and politicians but everyone was treated the same way, like a friend, that is what we have always been about.”
The store has been supported by dedicated and long serving staff, including Rita Willis, who has been there since day one.
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Covid has taken its toll with months of closure over the last two years but when open the business has continued to thrive.
Janet said: “I can’t tell you how different we are now from when we started but people are still coming, the last summer was unbelievably busy.
“We have stuck to what we have always done, offering quality.”
Her hope now is that a new owner with a passion for retail and fashion will come in to keep the business running once they call it a day at the end of March.
Janet said: “We are in our 70s now and it is time to retire but this is a very good opportunity for someone, the bare bones are there, we have the customers, the staff who want to stay, you don’t get many opportunities like this.
“Starting from scratch was very hard but for us the gamble paid off and we’ve loved it and we will miss it when we have retired.”
The shop is being offered for sale complete with all fixtures and fittings. Stock will be made available by separate negotiation.