11/04/2024
Now that the dust has settled, we’ve finally had a moment to sit down and reflect on everything. The retirement auction was an emotional milestone for our family, and we are so incredibly grateful to everyone who came out to support us. Your presence, your kind words, and your encouragement have meant more than you’ll ever know.
This has been one of the most challenging chapters of our lives. The decision to close the doors on a family business that has been a cornerstone of our lives for generations was not made lightly. It’s a heartbreaking reality to face, especially when you think about the dreams and sacrifices that built it from the ground up. The world today is so different from the one my grandfather knew when he started this business, and adapting to those changes has been a struggle.
I’ve wrestled with the grief of seeing this legacy come to an end, but through this process, I’ve come to realize something important: the Watkins family legacy is far from over. It doesn’t live solely within the walls of our business. It lives on in the countless moments of kindness and support we’ve shared with our friends and neighbors. It lives on in the relationships we’ve built with our customers and employees—many of whom have become like family over the years.
Most importantly, it lives on in my boys. They’ve grown up alongside this business, watching their grandfather and me work tirelessly. They’ve learned the value of hard work, the importance of perseverance, and that, sometimes, life’s path shifts in unexpected ways. They’ve come to understand that while we may never give up, some things in life are only meant for a season.
Grief is a strange and difficult thing—it’s the space between what we hoped for and what actually is. And yes, there is grief in saying goodbye. But there’s also gratitude, love, and a deep sense of pride in what we’ve built and shared with all of you.
As we close this chapter, I want to leave you with one heartfelt request: please, support your local businesses. These are the businesses run by your neighbors, the people who are there to lend a hand when you need it most. They are the sponsors on the banners at your children’s baseball games, the ones cheering from the sidelines. Your support is what keeps their doors open and their dreams alive.
Thank you for being part of our journey, for standing with us during this transition, and for helping us keep the Watkins family legacy alive in so many beautiful ways.
-Holly Watkins-Wallace
