AFTER more than seven decades of continuous operation, People’s Leather Supplies Limited is preparing to close its doors — not because of falling sales or even adverse market forces, but simply because there is no one available to carry the business forward.

The business, which has been a staple for artisans, shoemakers, schools and craft workers for generations, was founded by the family patriarch more than 70 years ago. For the past half-century operations have been led by daughter Hope Smith, who assumed management responsibilities following her father’s death.

Now set to retire at the end of this year, Smith said the absence of a successor has made closure unavoidable. This challenge, she said, was also compounded by the death of her brother, who was expected to take over operations upon her retirement. Further setbacks later followed with the retirement of several long-serving employees, including Ms Ottie who, after 30 years of service, was forced to step away due to health complications.

“Within the last few years everybody was either retiring or unavailable to take over operations,” Smith told the Jamaica Observer during an interview on Thursday. “With the children and grandchildren living overseas and none willing to return home to take over the business, I was left with the difficult but inevitable decision to close up shop.”

Smith, bemoaning the challenges in finding new talent, also said that efforts to recruit particularly younger staff have all proved futile.

“These young people come in, and everybody’s on the phone, and you can’t talk to them. It’s just a different generation from which employers can hardly find no one to work,” she said with a sigh.

While the option of selling the business was explored, Smith further explained that none of the interested buyers demonstrated sufficient readiness to take on what she deems a specialised operation.

“This is a business you have to know and you also have to understand the trade,” she said of the entity which, throughout the years, delivered millions in annual gross revenues.

Complicating matters further, she said, is the fact that several of the potential buyers had requested that she remain on staff to manage operations — but she has firmly shut down this proposal.

“After two years without a vacation and now being in my retirement years, I just want to be out of here before the end of the year,” she stated.

In light of the many challenges the manager said the hard decision to close shop was deemed a better alternative than to risk damaging the company’s reputation and legacy that has been built up over the years. Hopeful, however, that one of the children or grandchildren will have a change of heart and will seek to restart operations at some point in the future, Smith said she has opted to keep the name registered and the property within the family.

Following the closure of the King Street branch in downtown Kingston during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Slipe Road location remains the company’s sole property. Smith said there are no plans to sell the space; instead, it will be rented, with arrangements already in place for a hardware store to occupy the premises once operations are fully wound down.

People’s Leather Supplies occupies a unique niche in the local market, supplying materials essential to the craft and footwear industries. These include leather, insoles, sewing supplies, dyes, cleaning products, fasteners, ribbons, knives, buffers, and other components used in the manufacture of shoes and leather goods. The company also supplies schools with specialised materials used in technical and examination settings, such as heavy vinyl for screen printing.

Among its clientele is popular local footwear brand Bridget Sandals, which sources leather-polishing supplies from the store.

The impending closure, which has left customers disappointed, sees some now stockpiling supplies to carry them throughout the next three to four months.

“Although there are other leather suppliers in the country, many do not carry the same range or depth of products as we do,” Smith noted.

As the business winds down, recent weeks have been marked by a series of closing-out sales, culminating in a major sale on Saturday that focused on finished goods including shoes, wallets, knapsacks, socks, lunch totes, and other items, all discounted by 50 per cent. The response to the sale days, which Smith said has been strong, has largely been driven by loyal customers as they try to prepare for life without the store.

The company’s staff complement, which once numbered as many as nine, has now been reduced to three. Two are themselves preparing for retirement while the remaining younger worker has already been assisted in securing alternative employment.

As she prepares to step away after decades of service Smith expressed both gratitude and regret.

I have to thank our customers who have been with us for many, many years,” she said. “I know they’re really disappointed but there comes a time when you have to make a decision about what is best for you as an individual.

“I’m also very sorry that we’re closing down. I wish we could continue — if only there were two other family members willing to step in and take over the business,” Smith added.

Some of the products from People’s Leather Supplies on sale as the company gets ready to close its doors.