After decades styling generations of women, Glenda is preparing to close the chapter on Yeltuor’s Kingston boutique, where she will celebrate her final day as manager on Thursday, June 26.
The milestone marks the end of a 44-year on and off career for Glenda, who first joined Yeltuor in 1974 when she was just 17 years old.
“”I still remember my first day so clearly,” Glenda said.
“It certainly doesn’t feel like decades ago!
“I used to collect boxes of stock from the bus depot in my old MG, which was always a tight squeeze.
“Doing all that in a miniskirt was quite the art!”
Though life has taken Glenda across different states and through the joys of raising a family, she has always found her way back to Yeltuor, going on to manage the Hobart, Sandy Bay and Kingston boutiques.
She said that it was her wonderful bosses that have kept calling her back.
“Yeltuor has always been built on trust,” Glenda said, starting from when Anne and Peter Routley first established the stores.
Glenda remembers working at a different shop when she was recommended to Anne, who asked Glenda around for an interview.
“Because there weren’t very many women’s boutiques at that stage it was like ‘wow’ to all the women in Hobart, we can spend money on ourselves,” Glenda said of the first days at Yeltuor.
“It opened up a whole new world for Tasmanian women.”
Glenda has enjoyed watching the evolution of fashion over the decades, particularly how it keeps repeating itself.
“The fashion keeps returning over and over,” she said, noting that such fashion statements as high waisted pants, platform shoes and miniskirts keep resurfacing.
“It’s all been around for me three times over.”
Glenda harbours a soft spot for the 1980s where she remembers the fun, experimental style and people being a little more carefree.
“I am looking forward to the luxury of being a little more carefree myself in my retirement,” Glenda said.
“Doing whatever I like, whenever I like.
“And being able to be there with my grandchildren, that’s what it’s all about.”
Whilst Glenda will miss working with her colleagues she is looking forward to an “end of fashion.”
“I look forward to not having to dress up every day, to wearing walking clothes and comfortable clothing,” Glenda said.
On the day Glenda retires she will be going out for dinner to the Astor Grill in Hobart with some of her former colleagues.
“We worked together for so many years,” Glenda said.
“One of us worked at Yeltuor for 30 years straight, so we’ve got a lot of history and we laugh.
“It’s always a fun night.”
Glenda and the ‘old girls’ hold these dinner reunions approximately two or three times a year.
“I have always loved my job,” Glenda said.
“I love my customers, and I love my team.
“I have so many close friends that started as customers, which is so special.”
Yeltuor invites any customers who wish to say farewell in person to visit Glenda in store before her final day on Thursday, June 26.
