FARMINGTON – Downtown Farmington lost an icon of business and friendship when Marty Pike closed K & J Apparel on the corner of Broadway and Main Street Thursday.
Nearly 100 people attended a “happy trails” party to honor the man who is known for climbing high mountains but better known for his friendly humor and impishness.
“Anyone who goes in there (Pike’s store), even if they’re sad, they come out with a smile,” said childhood friend Rick Bowen, a sentiment echoed by several at the party.
Scott Landry, Pike’s business neighbor at Shiretown Insurance, will be taking over the space that has been a retail business for 110 years. He said he will continue to accommodate people dropping off dry cleaning and FedEx shipments, as Pike did.
“We’re losing an icon,” Landry said of his neighbor.
“Downtown Farmington is losing a character,” said Stephen Gray, another local businessman. “You can take that in two ways,” he added, laughing.
Pike bought the business from the Ferrari brothers, Norman, Richard and David, in 1980 and has sold outdoor gear, footwear, apparel and formal wear. The location is known by locals as the “red store” because part of the exterior walls were red, according to Janet Mills, state representative from Farmington.
It’s one of the oldest businesses in Farmington, she said.
Mills and state Sen. Chandler Woodcock presented Pike with a legislative sentiment honoring him for his years of business service to the community.
“I stopped the budget process to get this through in time (for the party),” said Mills, jokingly.
Members of Pike’s family were happy for him, they said, but it is not without a bit of sadness that they say goodbye to the 25-year legacy.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for him to explore new opportunities. I’m really excited for him,” said his wife, Cheryl Pike. “And he’s not retiring,” she said sternly.
Louise Pike, his mother, worked in the store and said she had mixed feelings about its closing.
“I’m ready to do things around my house I’ve been waiting to do for 25 years,” she said. “But I’ll miss the people of Farmington,” said the Wayne resident.
“It’s amazing,” said Pike, looking around the room full of well-wishers. “I created more grief than I did anything else,” he said to the crowd, referring, most likely, to his mischievousness over the years. “I love you guys,” he added.
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