A tribute to a 113 year old Melbourne institution ...

It is with great sadness when I walked past my beloved pen shop, Tafts The Pen People, in Collins Street and saw the closing down sign out front. I popped in to see the owner and a dear friend, Perry. Yes, Tafts is closing down for good on Saturday 10 August.

Here's another story of a boutique business driven out by escalating rentals - a mainstay and establishment in Melbourne for 113 years, one I have frequented for over 35 years. I've bought many beautifully crafted fountain pens and pen sets there from the Waterman Gentleman to the more recent Limited Edition Visconti Watermark demonstrator and many in between. Pens I bought because I fell in love with them or, as is sometimes the case, on impulse!

Perry and Mary have looked after me and my pride and joy writing instruments for 20 years. They have become family. I'd often pop in just to say hello and have a chit chat ... well, and to check out if there is something new that might catch my fancy.

On this day, just three days to closing date, I hung out for around 20 minutes taking in the atmosphere, cabinets, smells and the few pens (including one that tempted me) keeping Perry company waiting for a new home.

In the short time I was there, Perry took three phone calls, had two walk-in customers looking for specialty pen items. Perry explained to each person that the lease cost was the sole reason for closing down. He had explored all possible options with the landlord to no avail. Perry did not want his customers to be sad. He wanted them to remember.

I was taken by how he told everyone that he is proud to be part of Tafts' 113-year history in Melbourne. No bitterness, just pride in how Tafts had served the public of Melbourne all those years with personally selected and often one-off handcrafted writing instruments, some in rose gold, some in solid gold. He catered for utilitarians and collectors alike.

Before I left, Perry agreed to a selfie. We hugged and wished each other well. As I pulled away, through tears in his eyes, Perry said to me ever so quietly and gently "Look after those pens well". His words and emotions touched me deeply. It dawned on me then that each piece he had and sold remains part of him, part of his story.

As we said goodbye, I walked away heavy-hearted yet knowing that I'll always smile and remember Perry, Mary and Tafts when I walk past the spot in Collins Street Melbourne where Tafts once was.

Right now, it does not matter if I never find another place like Tafts or whether I'll fall in love with another amazing masterpiece of a fountain pen! Why? Because these beautiful pieces needed the love and care of those who touched them to be able to create the memories and tell the stories.

One thing's for sure - each time during each day that I pick up and write with one of the pens that came to be mine through Perry and/or Mary of Tafts, I'll be a tad nostalgic and think of my dear friends - a little shop in Collins Street with the big hearts of Perry and Mary!

Many thoughts have been bubbling. Here's just four of them:

• What does 113-year loyalty count for?
• Delivering the best care and best experience here and now matter more than chasing legacy.
• Relationship and human connections make our stories and our lives real and meaningful.
• Despite circumstances, there is always another way to look at the situation - reframe can bring new positive power!

Thank you, Perry and Mary.

What moments have you experienced that you know will never leave you? Care to share?

Grace Thomas, PCC, brings 'heat and heart' to walk alongside senior executive leaders, leadership teams and emerging leaders in complex, global, multi-national and Australian organisations to be the best they can be in their work, life and world while staying true to who they are. How? Explore | Experiment | Extend | Embed | Empower. She does this as an executive leadership coach and a personal brand master strategist.

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