Klasik Kloset used to be so full that it was often difficult to move from rack to rack. But, as seen here, with the inventory not being replenished, the store is becoming emptier as owner Sandi Sorensen prepares to close by the end of November. Photo by Stephanie Clark.

Klasik Kloset used to be so full that it was often difficult to move from rack to rack. But, as seen here, with the inventory not being replenished, the store is becoming emptier as owner Sandi Sorensen prepares to close by the end of November. Photo by Stephanie Clark.

“It’s been a fun ride, but I’m ready to move on,” said Klasik Kloset owner Sandi Sorensen.

After 17 years of operation, Sorensen has decided that it’s time to take on the retired life and do some travelling. “I’m 78 years old, it’s time for me to get out of here,”

Her store started on the back side of Mesquite Plaza, formerly Bulldog Plaza, where Virgin Valley Thrift Store (VVTS) is now. After she moved to her current location in the main complex, she helped the VVTS get started with inventory so that she would have room in her store for new merchandise every week.

Klasik Kloset used to be so full that it was often difficult to move from rack to rack. But, as seen here, with the inventory not being replenished, the store is becoming emptier as owner Sandi Sorensen prepares to close by the end of November. Photo by Stephanie Clark.

Klasik Kloset used to be so full that it was often difficult to move from rack to rack. But, as seen here, with the inventory not being replenished, the store is becoming emptier as owner Sandi Sorensen prepares to close by the end of November. Photo by Stephanie Clark.

“I wanted to offer a place for women to come in and get some clothes for their careers. I like to bring in new stuff for people,” she said. “But it really doesn’t pay off. I thought it would have gone better than it has since 1999.”

After her husband passed away in 2009, she had considered closing then, but decided against it, citing that keeping busy with the store helped her as well as her friends who pitched in to help.

“When I opened the business, I told my husband that I wanted to sell my clothes. I planned to stay open for just six months and then close up. Well, I made it a consignment shop and women started bringing in their stuff. In three months, we moved into a bigger shop and it was still too small. I was just having too much fun at the time to close it up!”

But things didn’t stay rosy for long, Sorensen said, noting the common problem businesses have in the summer months after the snowbirds leave.

“The sad thing is that the locals don’t shop Mesquite. There are things here, but they don’t buy them. They have excuses of why, but they just don’t shop here,” she said. “The snowbirds save us to a point, but during the summer, it’s a real hard thing to survive through.”

“We as business people try to do the right thing and give the deals we can, but they would rather drive to St. George,” Sorensen said.

Her current plans are to be completely out of her spaces in Mesquite Plaza, Suites 113 and 114, by the end of November. Already, her inventory is clearing out as she runs some clearance specials.