It seems almost everyone has a memory of Howells department store, which closed its doors for the very last time on Sunday. Lamenting "the end of an era", people have been reminiscing about buying wedding dresses there, or having "posh" afternoon tea in the department store, which has been a presence on Cardiff's St Mary's Street for more than 150 years.
Formerly known as Howells and more recently home to House of Fraser, the iconic building was emptied on March 26. It was a sad day for former employees with decades of experience between them as they cried, laughed and danced together - and raised a glass to the end of an era. You can read more emotional testimonies from staff here.
In its day, the department store was "the Welsh Harrods" said one customer - Mandy Watkins - who was sad to see the "iconic store" close. While others remember being "mesmerised" by the chapel contained within the building. Claire Cook had fond memories too: "Howells was looking at the window displays, being mesmerised by the internal church, looking at the fantastic food hall, finding underwear that actually fitted and, best of all, meeting Santa," she said. She added that it was a "sad day and an even sadder loss". You can get more Cardiff news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Read more: Fire crews evacuate Cardiff shopping centre after car blaze
Many ex-customers remembered the store being their go-to place for key moments in their lives, whether it be shopping for a wedding dress or an outfit for their first job. Pam Jones said: "I bought my wedding dress there in 1959 - and I still have it. Mum and I went by train from Bridgend and after shopping in Howells we had coffee in the Kardoma - we felt very posh."
Howells was the epitome of Cardiff in the 1970s: an era when personal customer service was valued. Denise Morgan recalled: "It is a great loss, so much has changed in the last few years. The personal touch and the joy of actually seeing things has been taken away. I miss the fun of finding just the right item."
For many, it's the window displays they remember most, especially at Christmas time, or the sight of the food hall. Rob Blake wished the House of Fraser staff luck and said: "It was a huge part of my childhood often going there with my grandparents and then as I grew up, it was a destination store when you went to city centre. It won’t be the same without it."
Carol Price was "sad to see it go". She worked there as a schoolgirl and said: "Also remember as a child the Christmas trees on the upstairs windows and the fabulous grottoes, lots of memories including buying my favourite cheese from the food hall."
Alyson Lewis agreed, saying: "Such an iconic store. I spent many a morning gazing at the window displays on my way to work. Online shopping will never match the experience of shopping in these types of shops. It's the end of an era, so sad to say." Her sentiments were echoed by Candy Jones: "So sad to see the end of this iconic shop. I used to love visiting their food shop, where I drooled over their lovely cakes and sweets. Howells was a part of my 1970s childhood shopping with my mum."
As people lament the disappearance of the store from the high street, others worried Cardiff would never be the same again. Linda Parry said: "My mother if alive would have been devastated. I have wonderful memories of shopping in Cardiff with her, sometimes we would have tea there. Other times just a walk through and a small purchase. We loved it and David Morgans too. Cardiff is not the same. Good luck to the staff."
While the fate of the building remains to be seen, Lou Lanciotti offered his thoughts: "Between BHS, David Morgan's, Debenhams (worked there twice so find it very upsetting) and now Howells, this is so sad to see. Such an iconic part of Cardiff's history. Love to all who worked there."
READ NEXT:
