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July 18, 2011

Elaine’s closing its doors after 25 years

By Karla Clark Freelance writer Jacksonville Daily Progress

JACKSONVILLE — After decades of serving customers from across East Texas and beyond, Elaine’s bridal and formal wear shop announced its permanent closure this week.

Elaine’s has been a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s retail industry since Elaine Beal founded it in 1986, drawing the majority of her customer base from within a 75-mile radius, and a fourth of her customers from outside the region.

“I have been blessed with the nicest customers in the world—many of whom I have dressed from their first junior high formal through their proms and weddings and now those of their children,” Beal said in a press release.

Beal made the decision to close her store because she has wanted to retire for the last two years and her daughters did not express interest in assuming ownership of the store, although they’ve helped her operate the store over the years.

“They each have their own interests that they wish to pursue,” she said.

The economy has nothing to do with the closure of Elaine’s, she said.  Despite the economy, Beal said sales have significantly increased over the last year.

Beal wants to retire from the retail business to the 500-acre farm her father left to her, but she does not intend to “sit in a rocking chair.”

“Actually, I was going to be on this float in the parade, riding on a rocking



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