IT will be an emotional farewell for one of Barrow’s longest-serving businesswomen who is shutting up shop after nearly 20 years of trade.
Barrow born and bred So Silver owner Chrissy Haughin has been at the helm of her high street store since November 2010.
But her expertise with silver jewellery stretches back to the 1980s, where the sterling-selling trader began her journey to provide not just Barrow - but the North West of England - with metal-based innovation.
Mrs Haughin’s knowledge and her piercing skills have been learned over many years stretching across continents, which she feels has given her the step up over competitors.
READ MORE: So Silver to close doors in Barrow after nearly 20 years of trade
And after 17 years in business So Silver, located in the ginnel between Portland Walk and Dalton Road in Barrow, will be shutting its doors.
Chrissy said she will miss her ‘fantastic and loyal’ customers who have become friends over the past near two decades.
“I have had fantastic customers and loyal support over the years,” the 65-year-old said.
“I have mixed feelings and feel very emotional about going but know that I can’t work forever.
“I will miss the people the most and the lovely customers I have chats with. When I first started out in business, I always had the ethos that business isn’t all about putting money in the till; it’s about relationships with customers.”
The announcement comes after Barrow Borough Council reportedly gave So Silver a six-month move out notice as part of the Government scheme to regenerate the town centre.
Chrissy said: “The council had given us six months’ notice because this property is part of the regeneration scheme which I am actually in agreement with because something needs to be done with the market and anything is better than nothing.
“I’m not angry with them. Retiring was always on the cards for us soon anyway. Although we’ve been given notice, we have decided to shut at the end of December.
“I was thinking about retiring for some time as my husband had been through ill health.”
A collapsed lung led to Chrissy first setting up her business in 1989. Bored in hospital, she began making ceramic gifts for friends and family which proved so popular that she was spurred on to make items on a commercial basis.
Chrissy launched her first shop ‘Far Fetched’ at the top of Crellin Street in 1990.
In that shop, she was the first person in Barrow – and first woman in Cumbria - to ever carry out body piercings.
From there she moved to a larger premises in Cavendish Street where she sold imported furniture from all over the world.
In 2000 Chrissy was awarded the Businesswoman of the Year award.
She then founded a shop in Lancaster before selling the business and opening So Silver in 2005 before moving into the ginnel between Portland Walk and Dalton Road five years later.
With more than 30 years of business experience under her belt, Chrissy is looking to use her wealth of knowledge by launching an Etsy shop in her retirement.
But first, she is looking forward to taking a well-earned few months off and visiting her son in the US.
“Life is very short. I’ve enjoyed our time here and have made some fantastic friends,” she said.
“You really can do anything if you put hard work and effort into it. I’m looking forward to a new era and my grandchildren can say that’s what nanny did in her lifetime.”
So Silver will shut its doors for the final time on December 31.
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