For the time being the store will be closed with the exception of electronic items such as memberships, renewals and donations. Operating a store with a physical inventory requires someone to accept an order, gather the items ordered, pack them and deliver them to a shipper. With Mary's retirement, we do not have a person in place in Peoria (where the inventory is located) to perform the tasks required. The only sensible thing to do is to close the store until it can be reorganized rather than accept further orders that have no way of being fulfilled.

I don't recall any "whining" about software or accounting, what I do recall is that I am very impressed and excited about the progress Sue has made with a new accounting software platform that will help this club operate far more efficiently for both itself and all of us members. It will still take a bit of time, but when it is fully in place it will reduce the cost and time required to operate the club substantially. I know that these things are not super-exciting to most of us, but the not-so-fun things are what will solidify the foundation of the club and serve us all for many years to come.

I am definitely sorry for the inconvenience.

Without doubt, the store has been undergoing change since the middle of last year, and for good reason. The club had significant stock, much of which was ordered years ago that was not selling (for instance hundreds of Terracers and Cat 25's), there was also large amounts of old stock, old calendars, magazine back issues, T-shirts from past shows in sizes that no one wanted, so yes, there has been change, mostly in an effort to reduce the "dead" inventory.

There is no "easy reason" to close the store. There are practical reasons for it to be closed at this time and there are very good reasons to have the store take a different form in the future.

As far as Mary and Kristin go, let's just say that timing wasn't in the cards. It would be inappropriate for me to go into more detail.