July 15, 2004

Avery’s to close after almost 25 years

By Miranda Schultz
Staff Writer

Avery’s, Campbell’s leading fine china, crystal and ornament retailer, will be closing its doors after almost 25 years. Nancy Trainor has owned the store for the last 18 years; she and her husband Paul bought it from Avery Smith in 1986. They ran the store together until Paul’s death in 1992.

Avery’s is a prime seller of fine wares, such as Dept. 56, Fitz and Floyd, which is fine china and painted ceramic figurines and the Christopher Radko line of holiday ornaments and fine gifts. Avery’s boasts one of the largest collections of each of these lines on the West Coast.

“The decision [to close]pretty much made itself,” says Trainor. “I really expected the economy to get better, but it just hasn’t. It’s time to retire and say goodbye.”

What was once a store stocked full of fine figurines, china and crystal, is now almost empty, most of the shelves have been cleaned out. Trainor wasn’t kidding when she claimed she was “Selling out bare to the walls.” The bargains are endless, now at 50 percent off. Avery’s announced its closing sales on May 26.

“The response has been incredible, the customers know they’re getting a great bargain. We’ve had so many compliments and personal notes dropped off to us. Customers bring us flowers and cookies.”

Even with the customer support, the weeks since their sale began have been a blur to Trainor. She has some plans for retirement, but claims she hasn’t time to think about that just yet.

“I do kind of pause and say, ‘I’ve been coming here for 18 years.’ The first week or two are going to be like going through withdrawals. I won’t have anything to run. It will take some getting used to. I’ve been working for 40 years, and I’ve never had more than a month off,” she says.

Even so, her retirement is somewhat bittersweet. Trainor has fond memories of owning Avery’s. “It’s been a phenomenal experience. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There have been many more ups than downs and it’s been a great ride. I’ve always considered having the store was kind of like show business. Like, you open the doors and it’s show time.”

On July 24, Trainor will close the doors at Avery’s for good. As for her employees, “Everyone that needed a job, found one. I am delighted about that because it was really my biggest concern,” says Trainor.