La Maison Closing Its Doors After 55 Years In Stockton
STOCKTON (CBS13) — The owner of a popular Stockton dress shop is closing her doors after more than five decades.
Dressed to the nines, from head to toes, 84-year-old Alyce Tekerlek is ready for customers as part of her routine over the past 55 years.
"I'm used to it, to get up in the morning, get dressed up and come here," she said.
She's owned La Maison for more than five decades. She's never had an employee, and has never paid for advertisements.
Nestled under the Bob Hope Theater marquee in downtown Stockton, that prime location used to bring in customers by the droves, but not anymore.
"They would see the store, walk in, and they'd buy," she said. "I used to do very good business but lately it's been very very bad."
A sudden drop in sales over the past few years, coupled with crime concerns made her decision to close an easy one. It's a move her sons wanted her to make for safety reasons years ago.
As she works on finalizing her last day in business, one thing is certain: Her labor of love holds a lifetime of memories.
"I'm thinking what am I going to do at home?" she said. "I don't know what I'm going to do. It's hard for me, but I'll find something to do."
