As shopper after shopper visited Auburndale gift store Just Next Door this week, they greeted owner Amy Shih with praise, gratitude, and wistful regret that she will soon be shuttering the beloved business.
When customer Jenny Rosenthal — a Newton resident who has been buying presents there for 10 years — was asked how she felt about the upcoming closure, she said, “Very sad. It was my go-to place for birthday party gifts.”
Shih, a Newton native, is the second owner of the shop, which opened in 1982. She took over in 2005, having worked for the original owners before that.
To be successful in retail, “You have to be 110 percent in,” said Shih as well-wishers stopped by, lamenting the loss of the store. “It gets pretty exhausting.”
However, customers have energized her over the years and when she works at the store, “I feel like I see 30 friends,” she said.
Amy Shih, owner of Just Next Door, a gift shop in Auburndale, recently announced she will be shuttering the independent business, which opened in 1982, by the end of February. Here she is seen standing in front of some of the store’s toy and game offerings. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Amy Shih, owner of Just Next Door, a gift shop in Auburndale, recently announced she will be shuttering the independent business, which opened in 1982, by the end of February. There are a variety of gifts available and like almost everything else in the store, they are 30 percent off. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Amy Shih, owner of Just Next Door, a gift shop in Auburndale, recently announced she will be shuttering the independent business, which opened in 1982, by the end of February. Here is an example of just one of the whimsical items the independent business carries. The frog, like almost everything else in the store, is 30 percent off. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Amy Shih, owner of Just Next Door, a gift shop in Auburndale, recently announced she will be shuttering the independent business, which opened in 1982, by the end of February. There are a variety of hats available and like almost everything else in the store, they are 30 percent off. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Amy Shih, owner of Just Next Door, a gift shop in Auburndale, recently announced she will be shuttering the independent business, which opened in 1982, by the end of February. Here are examples of the whimsical items the independent business carries. Almost everything in the store, is 30 percent off. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Customers stand in line at Just Next Door, an Auburndale gift shop, as they wait to purchase items that are 30 or 50 percent off. Almost all merchandise in the entire store is on sale since owner Amy Shih announced it would close by the end of February. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Amy Shih, owner of Just Next Door, a gift shop in Auburndale, recently announced she will be shuttering the independent business, which opened in 1982, by the end of February. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
Her decision to close Just Next Door was neither easy nor fast. After mulling it over for a year, Shih decided now is the time for a career change, although she is still contemplating her next steps.
As for why nobody could take over the shop, Shih wrote on her website that, “since my landlord passed away there is no clear owner to negotiate a lease at this time. Therefore, I cannot sell the business. The landlord’s children have strongly encouraged me to stay but with no resolution, I do not want to wait any longer.”
“I feel horrible for the community,” said Shih, who has served generations of shoppers, including the families of the now-adult kids she used to babysit. “I’m sure I will miss it tremendously.”
“I’m devastated,” said Waltham resident Jennifer Besaw, who has been buying from the independent shop for five years.
“There’s not a lot of these [small, neighborhood] stores around anymore,” she said.
Customers can still find funny or poignant greeting cards, soft stuffed animals, warm scarves, colorful earrings, elegant serving trays, and an impressive array of other gift items at Just Next Door for 30 percent off (and holiday items at 50 percent off) –until it shuts in February. And if you’re not looking for gifts, you can even buy the store’s fixtures.
“We have a little bit of something for everyone,” said Shih.
Just Next Door is located at 327 Auburn Street in Auburndale.
