Log in & Sign up
You are not logged in.
Most Commented
Leggs give a little back
Proceeds of auction to be donated to community groups
Alycia Ambroziak
The Gazette
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Michael Legg prepares for auction Aug. 23. (NATASH FILLION/The Gazette)
Alycia Ambroziak
The Gazette
After 37 years of doing business in Hudson, Michael and Jill Legg have decided to call it a day.
Hudson’s landmark store, Legg & Compagnie, will officially close tomorrow. A fundraising auction will take place Aug. 23, featuring an eclectic collection of antiques, collectables, store and office furniture, fixtures, as well as the women’s and men’s clothing for which the store was so well known.
Proceeds from the auction will be divided equally to the as-yet built palliative care centre in Hudson, NOVA Hudson and the Hudson Village Theatre.
“You don’t get many opportunities to give something back to the community – and this will be our way of doing so,” said Michael Legg, who is looking forward to retirement.
“It was time to close up shop,” said Legg, 73. “I don’t want to die at my desk. And there are a lot of people who do just that,” he said.
“The business is changing ... our main customer, the woman over 40 years old, has changed in the way she dresses. We saw that and adapted,” Legg said. “But then, consumer shopping habits changed with the emergence of power centres (the new version of strip malls) and that also affected us.”
He said the building – which began life as a residence and then a general store – was sold in mid-July to chartered accountant Denis Gobeil who plans to use part of the building for offices and to lease the remainder out to a store.
“We are looking forward to taking a few little trips, doing a lot of cycling and skiing,” he said. “And ... there are so many opportunities in Hudson for volunteering.”
Besides the office furniture, items at the auction include counters, racks, shelves, displays, dressmaker mannequins, as well as fine tables, dressers, commodes, chairs, free-standing mirrors, lamps, copper kettles, armoires, a Dominion wood stove, benches, washstands, oriental rugs and signs.
Legg said the decision to donate the proceeds from the auction was not a difficult one.
“We feel this is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant contribution to this community that has so enriched our own lives with support and friendships,” he said.
Carolyn Flower of the Hudson Village Theatre said the theatre community was extremely grateful with the Legg’s gesture.
“This just speaks volumes as to how we all try to support each other in this community,” Flower said.
In fact, community support is so strong in the town, Legg said, that members of the Hudson fire department have volunteered their time to help.
“They will be coming over one evening to form a chain gang and help empty out the basement, which is full of items, including our Christmas decorations,” Legg said.
More than 30 other volunteers have offered to help on the day of the auction.
“That is a real community,” he added.
Auction preview is Aug. 22, from 10 a.m to 5 p.m., at the store, 422 Main Rd. in Hudson. On Aug. 23, the doors open at 8 a.m.