IAIN KELLY

THE LAST SHOP

Herbert let the final customer out, a lady all the way from Missouri who bought a purple coat.

He closed the store for the last time.

He had expected more ceremony. Only one journalist had come to bear witness.

Since Ancient Greece there had been shops – physical places with goods to sell. 5th Avenue, Oxford Street, the Champs-Élysées: these were the shopping meccas.

Bloomingdale’s on Michigan Avenue was the last in the world to go.

Shopping was now done solely in front of a screens.

Herbert would be back on Monday morning to open Bloomingdale’s new flagship Order Fulfillment Centre.

chicagomg
Copyright Marie Gail Stratford

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

120 responses to “THE LAST SHOP”

  1. MrBinks Avatar
    MrBinks

    This feels like impending fact rather than fiction! Well done.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Maybe not in our lifetime but I agree.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    One temple closes, another opens

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      The modern day religion is moving with the times too.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  3. Sheena Avatar
    Sheena

    U shut down Bloomingdales. Iain, how could you!!!!

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m so sorry Sheena! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar
    Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

    I think they are already feeling the pinch. I think writing with a pen will become a thing of the past but I hope shops survive.

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply
    1. Varad Avatar
      Varad

      Already there are type to text software around. Maybe in the future we might have thought to text software. Writing will be a thing of the past.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
      1. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar
        Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

        Certainly I think physical writing will become so. Thought to text – that could be a bit dangerous if you couldn’t keep your thoughts where they should be.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Not the pen! Never! Thanks Irene 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar
        Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

        We’ll see……

        Liked by 2 people

  5. Varad Avatar
    Varad

    Well, it’s just evolution. The hypermarkets came in and closed the mom and pop stores and all the other quaint little stores one could find in a market place. This is just the next step. Well written, Iain.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I do hope not, but we’ll see. Thanks.

      Like

      Reply
  6. beautyswot Avatar
    beautyswot

    I much prefer to shop in a real shop, I will be sad when the inevitable happens

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Hopefully not inevitable!

      Like

      Reply
  7. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    I’d hate to miss out on all the fun of real shopping.
    What a wonderfully imaginative take on the prompt!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Moon, I think there are enough like you that this won’t become a reality.

      Like

      Reply
  8. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Please don’t tell me Poundland’s closing!

    Click to read my FriFic!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Dear Keith, this comment made me burst out laughing 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  9. Saloni Avatar
    Saloni

    this feels, real!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Saloni Avatar
        Saloni

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  10. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    A sad, all too realistic fiction. We shop in front of a screen and avoid human interaction. And the lady from Missouri (who incidentally, does own a purple coat 😉 ) is as guilty as the next person. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I thought you might make the effort if there was a purple garment available! Thanks Rochelle.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. rochellewisoff Avatar
        rochellewisoff

        😀

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Since we moved out into the sticks, most of my shopping is done on-line. Your story has a more than prophetic aspect to it, Iain, but I like his resourcefulness.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      That rare person who is happy to just roll with the times. Thanks Sandra.

      Like

      Reply
  12. magarisa Avatar
    magarisa

    Seems inevitable that all brick-and-mortar shops will close one day. I like Herbert’s pragmatic approach. Life/business goes on. Nice take on the prompt!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Some things have to be accepted. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    It’s all ten-buck-an-hour box movers and drones. We’ll miss the old days until VR catches up.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      The thought of employment in these sort of places is grim.

      Like

      Reply
  14. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Since I’ve always disliked shopping, I don’t mind doing it online. However, it is very sad to see wonderful buildings and businesses collapse. We live near Philadelphia, famous for Wanamaker’s, among several others. It no longer exists. I think Macy’s bought it, but somehow it’s just not the same.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Always sad to see some of the places that have been institutions disappear.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Claire Fuller Avatar
    Claire Fuller

    Will it ever come to pass? I can’t believe that one day there won’t be a chicken shop somewhere in the world. Great idea, and nicely executed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I have a feeling it will never go to this extreme, although the number of shops will reduce in the future. Thanks Claire.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. Fandango Avatar
    Fandango

    And yet Amazon has recently opened some brick and mortar stores….

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Very true.

      Like

      Reply
  17. Rowena Avatar
    Rowena

    Hey, to all of you prophets of doom who are forecasting the death of the shop, there’s also been the resurgence in the local market, at least here in Australia. We have local general markets and Farmers’ Markets. We also have loads of small businesses. You might not be aware but Starbucks was a dismal failure here because people preferred their intimate local cafe. Where I live, we also still have what has become a rare breed…an independent bookshop. I always like to touch and feel what I buy and prefer a relationship with the seller as well. Some personal interaction.
    Lastly, you will have to kill me before I give up my pen. It works very well alongside my laptop and is much more portable and can fire up immediately to capture my racing thoughts while the laptop is still trying to wake up.
    xx Rowena

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m with you. Pen and paper will survive. As for shops, it would be nice if more of the smaller local ones could flourish. We shall see.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Rowena Avatar
        Rowena

        We’ve seen a bit of a small scale revival of the small shops here. I also live in a beach community 1.10 hours train ride from the heart of Sydney and is considered part of Greater Sydney. I struggle with crowds and huge shopping complexes so prefer our local shops especially at Christmas time. Most of my family gets books or something I’ve salvaged from the op shop. It’s my husband’s birthday and I managed to find him a knight and you open his sleaves up and there are shot glasses and his stomach concealed a whisky flask. That was a great find just down the street and he’s very difficult to buy for. Actually, the knight would make a great FF photoprompt. It’s a torso and is made of some kind of silver bronze and has a proper helmet and everything. My husband loves King Arthur.

        Liked by 2 people

  18. Edith M. Field Avatar
    Edith M. Field

    Oh, the lure of armchair shopping and next day delivery! Great story, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It does make things easier and convenient… Thank you Edith.

      Like

      Reply
  19. trentpmcd Avatar
    trentpmcd

    Wow. So who was that lucky purple coated person to be the last shopper in a real Brick and Mortar store? 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I wonder… 😉

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  20. Sue Ranscht Avatar
    Sue Ranscht

    You paint a dismal picture for those of us who want to touch the things we’ll wear before we buy them. Or prefer a few moments face-to-face with a cashier to the indifferent automated voice instructing us through self-checkout. On the other hand, just think, all those social misfits hiding in their cellars, living life vicariously through RPGs and social media, will have fewer reasons to venture out into the real world to mess it up for the rest of us.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Every cloud has a silver lining! Thanks Sue 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. James Avatar
    James

    It’s an interesting thought, but I wonder if brick and mortar stores will ever completely go away. True, we buy many things online, but I still imagine if you want to purchase a car or motorcycle, you’ll want to actually kick the tires, so to speak.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think there will always be some sort of physical shop, just depends how many and what they will offer.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. bbryanthomas Avatar
    bbryanthomas

    This is our future. Good one Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  23. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    I am less pessimistic, I believe that new uses for many shops will appear. At the moment it is coffee and charity shops. Hopefully in time New artisans will redevelop our High St shops. So that we authors can tell their tales.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I agree, something will always be there even if not the shops as we know them just now.

      Like

      Reply
  24. J.A. Prentice Avatar
    J.A. Prentice

    A sadly realistic prediction. Excellent story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    I looked to see if you’d classified this as ‘Dystopian fiction’…!
    You’ve chosen some good details to draw us into the story – the purple coat, shops in Ancient Greece, only a single journalist; all these brought with them collateral images that made the story so much richer. Well written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much Penny, so kind.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I wonder how it will look.. but I see Bloomingdale showroom and pickup center more than it disappearing,

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m sure it won’t come to this, as you say, there will be something there even if it’s not the traditional shops of the past.

      Like

      Reply
  27. robbiesinspiration Avatar
    robbiesinspiration

    This is a bit to close for comfort, Iain. I would miss the joy of “real” shopping.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Me too, especially at Christmas – hopefully it stays as fiction.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    Well, at least poor Herbert isn’t out of a job! For those of us working in retail, this is definitely a Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come moment. Nicely done, Iain

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Lynn – hopefully it’s a long way off yet.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Lynn Love Avatar
        Lynn Love

        Or I need to find myself a new career 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        There’s always your writing career 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Lynn Love Avatar
        Lynn Love

        Haha! Yes, wouldn’t that be nice? One day, perhaps, though I suspect making enough money out of it to live might be an issue 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  29. JS Brand Avatar
    JS Brand

    Happy to say I’ve done a mix of face-to-face and online shopping today, but I fear the prophecy in your story might come true. It’s timely too, with news coming out today that the Mary Portas project to revive town centre retail doesn’t seem to have succeeded.

    Like

    Reply
  30. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    Now that I’m a “woman of a certain age” I do most of my shopping online. Eddie Bauer, Land’s End…. No dressing up for me – until I make a trip to the symphony, then I wear a skirt. Nicely done, Iain

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Alicia 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
        Alicia Jamtaas

        Always a pleasure.

        Liked by 1 person

  31. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover Avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    You developed a real sense of loss and acceptance in this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  32. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    What comes around . . . goes around. I remember Walmart coming to town and putting all the little shops out of business. Now . . . here coming Amazon putting big stores out of business. . . . Wonder what is going to put Amazon out of business ??

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      There’s always a bigger fish… Thanks Mike.

      Like

      Reply
  33. Nan Falkner Avatar
    Nan Falkner

    Well, you still need to try on that outfit before you plop down a hundred bucks – so I don’t think this will happen – hopefully!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m with you, but I think the younger generation think differently. We shall see!

      Like

      Reply
  34. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    Neat take, Iain. I don’t know if this is good news or bad.
    Personally I would miss ambling round the corner for my fresh baguette each morning.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      If anything I hope it is the small local grocers and bakers that survive while the bigger corporate shops are replaced by online shopping. I could see that happening.

      Like

      Reply
  35. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    And the world moves on. There are still things I like to see “in the flesh” before buying. Good story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  36. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Ahhhh the shape of the future. Not a great one but change is inevitable

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Change is inevitable, but no one likes it that much 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  37. rgayer55 Avatar
    rgayer55

    Ah, the evolution of retail. I order some things online, but when it comes to shoes, I really must try them on.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think there will always be that demand for ‘actual’ shopping. To what scale remains to be seen.

      Like

      Reply
  38. Jelli Avatar
    Jelli

    Ach, but I fear that day is coming all too soon. too soon. Great writing this week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you! I do hope not.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  39. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    A timely piece, lain. It seems brick and mortar stores will be a thing of the past one day. Convenience seems to be the reason. Changes they are a coming. Who knows when it will be completely on-line shopping but it seems to be peeking right behind our shoulders. Nicely done ….
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Isadora 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  40. Susan A Eames Avatar
    Susan A Eames

    Oh, clever story! And it could happen one day.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Quite possibly. Thank you Susan.

      Like

      Reply
  41. Norma Avatar
    Norma

    Things are changing and we are loosing our “shopping meccas”. Sigh!
    Interesting take on the prompt Iain. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Norma

      Like

      Reply
  42. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    I do my bit of internet shopping, but usually after I’ve trawled the shops first.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      There’s a balance to be struck. Thanks Liz.

      Like

      Reply
  43. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    It so feels like a possibility. I like to think we’ll always have a mix of the two – on-line for those items that are not accessible and still have the stores for us to amble in and interact with people. Though there are those who will forever abandon that, sadly.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      People, who needs people to interact with? Can’t I just snapchat them?! Thanks Dale 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Riiiight….

        Liked by 1 person

  44. Alice Audrey Avatar
    Alice Audrey

    I don’t know. When it comes to some merchandise, there can be no substitute for the squeeze test. Bloomingdale’s still has hope.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Alice

      Like

      Reply
  45. Dahlia Avatar
    Dahlia

    A soon to be scene! This was really very well done Iain

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  46. The Reclining Gentleman Avatar
    The Reclining Gentleman

    This isn’t far enough, I don’t think.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Possibly not, thank you

      Like

      Reply
      1. The Reclining Gentleman Avatar
        The Reclining Gentleman

        “not far away enough” I meant to say, as in the high street in disappearing too quickly. Sorry if my original comment didnt make sense!

        Liked by 1 person

  47. athling2001 Avatar
    athling2001

    Well done and far too realistic. I hope it never comes to this!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Perhaps not in our lifetime at least. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  48. FabricatingFiction Avatar
    FabricatingFiction

    Urggh I can totally see this happening.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Hopefully not, most of the comments don’t seem in favour of it, but then we are no longer the youthful generation!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. FabricatingFiction Avatar
        FabricatingFiction

        Sadly not!

        Liked by 1 person

  49. Kelvin M. Knight's blog Avatar
    Kelvin M. Knight’s blog

    Sadness in the end, but no end, no sadness. Not really. That Fulfillment Centre sounds as though it might be an empty place, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Kelvin

      Like

      Reply
  50. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    So sad, the ending of an era. I imagine Herbert will not be as satisfied in his new job 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think he will miss connecting with the customers for sure. Thanks Sarah Ann.

      Like

      Reply

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