The last local capital department store in Hokkaido, "Fujimaru" in Obihiro City, will close on the 31st, ending its history of more than 120 years.
A lot of people visit immediately after opening and enjoy the last shopping.
The department store "Fujimaru" in Obihiro City, Hokkaido, was opened in 1900 as a kimono store and continued to operate, but was closed due to sluggish sales.
On the 31st, the last day of business, about 200 people lined up before the store opened at 10 am.
A 47-year-old man from Obihiro City who came two hours before the store opened said, "I came early because I wanted to see the end. I've been coming here since I was little, so I have many memories. I saw the inside of the store. I want to burn it well and go home," he said.
Then, when the store opened, a large number of people headed to the sales floor all at once, and some of them were seen talking about their memories and expressing their gratitude with familiar staff members.
A 79-year-old woman from Otofuke said, "I couldn't stay here today, so I came here to see the store for the last time. I want to say thank you for your hard work, Fujimaru."
In addition, Fujimaru's president, Nagaaki Fujimoto, said, "Thank you for coming to the end of the day. Fujimaru is full of customer's thoughts, so I want to make it a day where we can share it with each other." was
At Fujimaru, a "closing ceremony" will be held from 7:00 p.m.
In the future, a new company jointly established by the parent company of a car dealership in Obihiro City and a venture company last month will be responsible for the reconstruction, and will aim to resume business in the same building while leaving the name of the "Fujimaru". .