THE Emporium, in Mantle Street, closed its doors for the last time on Saturday (June 29) as the business suffered a fatal double whammy of declining sales and rising costs.

It was opened in a former Methodist Church nine years ago by entrepreneur Cato Cooper and at one time had 75 small business concessions under its roof.

Mrs Cooper said: “Who would have thought the day would come for me to write a goodbye to you all.”

The Emporium, Wellington, in its heyday.
The Emporium, Wellington, in its heyday. PHOTO: Cato Cooper. ( )

With husband Sean, Mrs Cooper took on the empty shell of what had been The Old Salerooms in 2015 and transformed it with the help of friends.

The Emporium opened its doors that April.

Mrs Cooper said: “We met many wonderful and talented people along the way.

“With the help of fabulous staff members, we ran a successful business, often buzzing with lots of people, especially around Christmas time.

“I am so grateful for those years of fun, support, and laughter.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything, and for being kind the past few weeks when I have been quite low, having to deal with knowing I have to say farewell to everything we built together.

“I have tried to keep my chin up.”

As she closed for a final time, Mrs Cooper urged residents to ‘keep supporting local businesses’.

“Without you, they will not survive,” she said.

Some businesses previously in The Emporium now have concessions in The Nook and Cranny, High Street, and the recently revived Talent Gallery, Fore Street.