Early last month, I received news that Bloomingdales was eliminating my position of “contingent” from its stores nationwide. I was sad to hear this, and the HR department was sad to inform me of it.
I have been a Bloomies employee for almost 11 years, and I have met some amazing friends through my time there. Some of the people that I met are still there, but most have left. Some had babies, some retired, some went to other retail jobs or careers and a bunch got laid off.
Retail has been good to me, aside from encouraging my shopping addiction. I got my first retail job when I was newly married and totally lost as to what to do with my career. It was a great way to earn a living, and then to supplement my income when I found my career. When I was laid off 6 years ago, Bloomies let me pick up as many shifts as I could while collecting unemployment.
I have met lifelong friends through retail. At my first retail job (at Calypso on Newbury Street), I met a great friend who I look forward to starting an online business with later this year. At my second retail job at In The Pink, I amassed a killer Lilly Pulitzer Collection that I hope to pass on to a younger generation. And at Bloomingdales, I met so many cool people from all walks of life who helped me put so many things into perspective over the last decade.
I am a relationship person- my relationships usually last a long time. I will miss my job at Bloomies. I loved coming to the store and seeing what was new in each department. I still think that Bloomingdales is one of the nicest department stores in the country.
I have scored some legendary deals, of course. A Chanel classic quilted bag for my 30th. A Burberry trench. A Marc Jacobs bag. Tons and tons of preppy staples, including building my Lilly wardrobe. Kelly green Tory Burch Reva flats. A pink and green David Yurman ring.
My balance is paid off in full, and I will miss my employee discount. But I have a well stocked closet and I need to invest in my house and in building my side business with my first retail friend.
I would be happy to come back if the store changes its mind. I hope that they do. I think that they will. But I doubt that I will get another retail job, if not. I had a lot of seniority and the managers were very flexible, as I was a long termer and would work wherever they needed someone and I never required any training. I have no desire to start at the bottom being low man on the totem pole and training with people 20 years younger than me. Sorry, it’s just not the same.
Retail, I’ll miss you. Retail friends, I will miss you, but I hope to stay in touch with many of you. Discount, I’ll miss you terribly. Credit card bill, I will not miss you!
