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Douglas Cosmetics has been a Main Street beauty staple for two decades. This Friday, they will make their final sales and shutter their doors permanently, but not without a farewell party.
It gives us a chance to say good-bye, says Petra Collins, a spokesperson for the Westport store. Ive worked here for twenty years, and we have so many loyal customers whove shopped here for just as long. So, the whole staff will be here Friday. Well have champagne for the customers. Its a way to say thank you.
Douglas is Europes biggest cosmetic retailer with 1,500 stores in 21 countries. Douglas was a pioneer in the European-style perfumery in the U.S., Petra says. Twenty years ago, you had to go to a department store to get your high-end cosmetics and fragrances. Douglas really changed the face of beauty retailing in America.
The company has decided to leave the U.S. market altogether, to focus on its European core business. This is sad news for Fairfield County women who have come to rely on Douglas to keep them beautiful.
As for Petra, a native German, shell be staying around. Im a real Norwalker, she says. Ive lived here for almost 20 years. My home is here, my family is here. Im not going anywhere. I just hope I dont get too emotional, Petra admits.
Make your final pilgrimage to Douglas Cosmetics Friday, Sept. 24. Share a champagne toast with the staff and maybe get a final recommendation for a night cream. But make sure you wear your waterproof mascara. You may get a little misty-eyed.
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