Martin's Specialty Shop to close after 123 years on the Diamond in Ligonier

Ligonier residents are saying goodbye to a store that has dressed generations in upscale casual clothing since 1900.

The 123-year-old Martin’s Specialty Shop will be closing its doors permanently this month. Mary Lou Fleming, owner and granddaughter of the shop’s founder, Robert S. Martin, is hosting a retirement sale for the remaining merchandise.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic to do business here,” Fleming said. “My family has done it for many, many years, and I wanted to end it on a good run.”

Fleming said that since the sale’s announcement, locals have been visiting her to say their farewells.

She is committed to keeping the shop open and the sale going until March 31, but the shelves are mostly empty. Some of the store’s display items are now on sale.

“We took great pride in our window displays,” Fleming said. “Windows are the soul of a business. We have so much stuff from these different displays in addition to our merchandise.”

Some display items include vintage shoes and clothing used in the store’s centennial celebration. Other customers have bought racks used to hold clothing. Fleming plans to donate what isn’t sold.

The closing has been in the works for over a year, she said. While waiting to make the news public, she let her vendors know that she would not be ordering anything for spring.

“When I made my decision, I made my decision,” Fleming said. “I’m over the sentimental thing, but I will really, really miss the people. I’m just gonna miss that connection. Even if someone didn’t buy something and they would come in and just visit, it was just delightful to talk to them.”

Fleming reflected on how business practices have evolved over the years. Shops today have to have a presence online and on social media, she said.

“I’m 75,” Fleming said. “I’m not very tech savvy, and I do not do social media. A small business today has to have a media presence. I’m old fashioned. I still write down what shoppers are buying and total it up in my head.”

Fleming plans to put the building on the market.

“Whatever the next shop will be is completely up to the new owners,” Fleming said. “It just has to be retail since the building is on the Diamond.”

Third generation

Martin’s Specialty Shop was opened in 1900 by Fleming’s grandfather on the southwest corner of the Diamond. The store relocated only once in 1916, when Kline’s Department Store purchased the original store front.

“Our catch phrase is ‘On the Diamond since 1900,’ ” Fleming said. “It’s been in the family ever since.”

Her father took over the store just after World War II and passed it on to her in 1977 when she relocated from Pittsburgh. She has been the owner for more than 45 years.

“I have seen generations,” Fleming said. “Customers that used to come in would bring in their children and then they would bring their grandchildren.”

Retirement plans

“I’m not moving anywhere,” Fleming said. “Everybody wants to know if I’m moving to Florida, and I’m like, ‘No, I’m not going anywhere.’ I live here. I live in what I call paradise because I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

Fleming said she is excited to “just chill out.” She is looking into volunteer opportunities and wants to explore the newer shops in Ligonier.

“I’ve never not worked,” Fleming said. “I worked during college, and I’ve had a full-time job since 1969. I’m looking forward to a little bit of relaxation. There’s some volunteer things that I’m finally able to do. I’ll be able to walk the streets of Ligonier and be in shops I’ve never been in before because I’m always at work.”

She is looking forward to being able to partake in her guilty pleasure, sans the guilt.

“I knit,” Fleming said. “I can knit now without feeling guilty.”

But she won’t let the relaxing get too out of hand.

“I’ll still get up early,” she quipped. “I won’t sleep in.”