FARMINGTON – To Marty Pike, every day is an adventure – from climbing some of the highest mountains in Africa, Ecuador, France and Switzerland to operating a successful business in downtown Farmington for 25 years.
Now Pike, 51, of Farmington is seeking another adventure, a challenge.
He has decided to close his store K & J Apparel and Footwear at the corner of Main and Broadway on March 31.
Nicknamed “the Mayor” and “the Brain” for the early morning coffee chats in the back room of his store and for his knowledge of people, Pike was waiting on customers Monday. A white portable phone was clipped to a back pocket of his pants as he rang up a customer’s purchases.
The phone on his pocket rang. He answered it and went about his business.
Everything in the store is half-priced for the liquidation sale. As customers came in and out, he told some of them the news. The store is closing.
Nope, it’s not a joke
Some thought he was kidding until Pike handed them an ad about the sale.
“I never gave him permission to close,” said Justyn Judkins, a frequent visitor. “I’ll miss him.”
Not only does the store sell men’s and women’s clothing, footwear and sporting gear, it also provides tuxedo rentals, dry cleaning service and Fed Ex.
In January 1980, Pike purchased the store, which was a men’s clothing store, from the Ferrari Bros. – Richard, Norman and David. He expanded the store’s offerings to include women’s wear and sporting goods.
“I like dealing with the people, selling merchandise and seeing the changes,” he said.
It’s continually been “tougher and tougher” to make a profit, he said, and in the last several years, he has seen a downward trend in sales. People’s shopping habits constantly change, he noted.
“It’s harder for small stores to compete,” he said.
He believes Farmington’s downtown business sector is strong.
After working in the same area for 34 years, at various businesses before he bought his own, he wants to try something different.
“It will be different sales,” Pike said. “I need the adventure; every day is an adventure.”
He’s been thinking about making a career change for the last couple of years and toying with different options but doesn’t have a new job yet.
The coffee buddies
This business has been a major part of his life, he said.
“It’s going to be a little bit of a shock” Pike said. “I’ll miss all of my customers and my coffee buddies. …You create a little social ring.”
He’ll miss working with his mother, Louise Pike, who has been with him since he opened and will be with him when he closes.
He’ll continue to do his part-time hobby job as cook for James Albert Mountain Guide Service where his nickname is “Wishbone.”
“I don’t really have mixed emotions about it,” he said of closing. “I’m looking forward to the challenge. The adventure … it’s just another change. Change is sometimes good. Hopefully, it’s good for me.”
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