Frugal Fannie's Flagship Store Closing After 43 Years

WESTWOOD, MA — A longtime clothing store is closing after more than four decades in Westwood, resulting in the layoffs of more than 200 employees, according to a state filing.

Retail Therapy, LLC, doing business as Frugal Fannie's Fashion and Shoe Warehouse, filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act with the state last week, signaling its upcoming dismissal of 214 employees. The WARN was filed on Thursday, Sept. 24, and layoffs are slated to begin on Nov. 23.

Frugal Fannie's announced earlier this month that it will close its longtime location at 24 Wilson Way after 43 years in business. The company cited medical hardships, retirements and the coming end of its lease with no remaining options as reasons for the closure. A going-out-of-business sale began Thursday, Sept. 24, although an official final day of business has not been announced.

"After 43 years, the time has come to end Frugal Fannie's," the business said in a statement. "This is a very sad time for us and maybe some of you."

Owner Kathleen Doxer told CBS Boston that the store was unable to renew its lease and that closing the business was not ultimately a decision made by its owners. Health issues and the retirement of longtime employees also contributed to the closure. The first day of the going-out-of-business sale drew large crowds and caused traffic backups along Route 1.

Frugal Fannie's first opened in Westwood in 1983, with Kathleen and Orrin Doxer building the business around discounted women's clothing, shoes and accessories. Originally open only a few days each week, the business eventually expanded to four Greater Boston locations before financial difficulties in the early 2000s led to the closure of its additional stores. The Westwood warehouse later remained as the company's sole location.

Kathleen Doxer became the public face of the business through its longtime television advertisements, appearing as "Fannie" and promoting the warehouse to customers throughout the region. The company has retained Needham-based SB360 Capital Partners to oversee its liquidation sale.

In announcing the closure, Frugal Fannie's thanked its longtime customers, vendors and employees, including staff members who have worked for the business for decades.

"We are immensely proud of what we were able to build together," the company said. "Through good times and difficult ones, we weathered it all making big things happen right here in our little corner of the world."