YOUR COMMENTS

Best of luck to you during this time - and beyond! I always loved getting a Lemay box for a gift - I will miss them! Thanks for all the memories of 'special things'...
- Margaux, Warwick, RI

I have known Ginger since our days together at New England College. She is a classy lady with a huge heart and I wish she and her husband a wonderfully happy and healthy retirement.
- JoAnne Gensch, Shawnee, Kansas

Scott from Manchester, I think that the Gagnon's point about not having "sales" is that many big stores (ie, Macy's, Zales, Kay's, etc) have what seem to be huge sales, when in essence, they mark up prices to mark down. Lemay's has always offered true competitive prices and beyond excellent customer service. Not having sales has nothing to do with the fact that the business is closing.

Look around Elm Street--it's hard to find a lot of retail stores. George's, Indian Head, Collector's Heaven are a few to remain, but for how long? Although the nightlife and restaurant industry on Elm Street is booming, it's just sad to see another staple business in Manchester close.

Maybe you won't cry over a downtown business closing, but for those of us who have had generations of family members shopping at Lemay's; we sure will. Congrats to Denis and Ginger for a long time served on Elm Street. And, congratulations and thank-you to Debbie and Carol for excellent service throughout the years.
- Lloyd, Brookline

What a tragedy!!!!!!!!! The Gagnons were my surrogate family when I lived in Manchester, NH. I could always go into the store and they would have a welcoming, warm smile that would make my day brighter!!! I miss them, and although I do not make it up to Manchester much anymore, I am sure everyone who shopped at Lemay's will miss the Gagnons and the other shop staff greatly!!! They are the epitome of service and quality!!!!
Sandra & Saida
- Sandra Barrera, New York, NY

Good luck in retirement.
- john sullivan, sierra vista az 85635

We must not forget two other fine jewelry stores that have long been gone from Elm Street...Pond's and Scott's
My engagement ring came from Lemay's, many, many years ago.
Best of luck to the Gagnon's
- Bea, Florida

When you lose a Manchester landmark owned and run by great local people who sold nothing but quality things and always put their customers first, it's hard to see how that represents "progress." They don't come any classier than Denis and Ginger. We'll miss you.
- Rob Miller, Hopkinton

When I was young, shopping "downtown" was the way things went. I don't even think the "Mall" had been invented. The shopping day started by walking a couple of miles to the main street. Then walking to and browsing at least a half dozen stores commenced. Then a stop for lunch and at last three or four more stores. The trip usually ended by catching a bus back home. The jewelry stores were awesome. The better ones had huge storefront displays. No one ever though of breaking the windows and taking the merchandise. At least I never heard of that back then. I don't recall being frustrated because my purchases were "junk". Things are quite different today.
- Steve, Raymond

Sue Bullerwell and R Mayot, get a grip, it's not the UL's fault that times have changed, what are they suppose to do, not print ads and lose revenue because it might hurt someone's feelings. Waaaaa. Get a clue. Waaaaa.

The article says that Lemay's never had a sale, maybe they should have and drawn in some business.

I still shop at Collector's Heaven and Indian Head and I'll support the small guy when I can, but I'm not fighting the tears that aren't coming because a business is closing. Happens all the time.
- Scott, Manchester

Let's not be too quick to condemn the big box stores and the national chains. They all started out as small local stores and all became successful. To condemn the big retail outlets is to condemn success.
- Brian, Farmington

People many times seem to feel that change is a bad thing however, the Gagnons may find change to be a stimulating and liberating experience as they move on to another what I hope will be exciting new phase in their lives. GOOD LUCK and thank you for the wonderful memories that came with your quality store!

Greg Barrett
Kas-Bar Realty
- Greg Barrett, Manchester

Ginger,
Sorry to hesr you had to close the store,I know how much it meant to you. We had some good times in high school with the our friends.
Sully
- Jack Sullivan, San Luis Obispo CA

Thank you Lemay's for all you have done for me and my family. Your pieces willl always be treasured by our family. We love you and will miss you. xoxo
- Anne, Manchester, H

It is sad to see local businesses closing down but when times get tight people realize you don't need bling, you need necessities. I imagine more stores who sell products that people can easily live without will be gone as well.
- Larry, Manchester

I'm sure the ads are based on the page content--as they are for just about every website that runs ads. It likely wasn't a choice made by anyone, Sue.
- William Smith, Manchester, NH

And McQuades.
- laurel, manchester,nh

The Union Leader isinsensitive to Manchester and N.H. in general....My Union Leader newspaper comes with stickers on the cover for the Boston Express, a bus line taking passengers to Boston's Logan airport. Why would the Leader support Manchester, N.H., it is only their home. They are oput for profit and could acre less about N.H. business. Seems we have a lot invested in a local Airport to be sending our people to Boston to fly out. And then we wonder why Manchester is losing air carriers.
- R. Mayot, Derry, New Hampshire

Yea...you all say how bad you feel after reading this. Then you get in your car and run to Walmart and the mall and take money and sales away from your local Toy Store, small grocer, sport shop, book store, etc...Will you cry when those go too? When Walmart and Jarrads and Bestbuy and Dicks all decide to up their prices to small store levels, abandon their liberal return policies and any modicum of service disappears...then what will you do.
- John, Manchester

By the way, their last name is incorrect under the picture.
- Kelly, Bedford

As a fried of the Gagnon's and long-time shopper at Lemay's, I'm very sad to see the store close. It's sad to know that Elm Street is no longer a shopping district (Mike's comment as an example), but rather a home to restaurants and bars. Stephanie Lewry mentioned that it is hard for some businesses to find family members who would like to continue on the tradition of running the business; the Gagnon's did have family members who were interested, but Elm Street just isn't what it used to be for retailers. Best wishes to everyone at Lemay's. Manchester will miss you!
- Kelly, Bedford

Lemay's has been an iconic Manchester business operated by a wonderful family. One of the biggest thrills of my freshman year of high school was being offered a ride to school by a popular and vivacious upper classmate, Ginger Lemay, in her Corvette! I was SO excited! Thanks for the ride, and for providing Manchester with such a classy retail jewelry store.
- Michael Power, Portsmouth

Mike from Bedford:

Tiny Totland did not close they just moved across the street to the Waumbec mill buildings.
- Josh, Manchester

It's sad to see another local, independent business closing. How long will it take for us to realize that shopping the big box and even worse, online retailers will just make us a homogenized society. It was especially insensitive of the Manchester Union Leader to chose to put two big ads for online jewelers on this page.
- Sue Bullerwell, Laconia, Nh

Gone but not forgotten: Moreau's, Ferretti's, Pariseau's, Puritan Tea Room, Leavitt's, Lynch's, Tiny Totland, Kennedy's, Easler's, Jim's Oxford Shop, Larry's Manhattan Shop, Ben Richards, Clark & Harris, Dodge Shoe, Hills, Floyds, Desjardins and the infamous Chimes Cafe,, R.I.P.
- Mike, Bedford

Sad to here Lemays is closing I wish the Gagnons well on their retirement.
- Jack Alex, Manchester