104 years in the making and now its owners are closing up shop.

Waugh’s Men’s and Women’s Apparel — 110 E. Heron St., in Aberdeen — has been around since 1920, serving Aberdeen and the rest of Grays Harbor with a variety of higher-end clothing.

And then on Thursday, Daniel Crocker, owner of Waugh’s, announced the store would close. Crocker and his wife Jessica also own Tinderbox Coffee Roasters. The Crockers have owned Waugh’s since 2020, but Daniel has worked there since 2016. Making the decision to close has been a hard one.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Waugh’s, after 104 years of serving our wonderful community,” Crocker stated in a Facebook post.

Crocker explained why the store closure is happening. The couple made the decision a couple weeks ago. The store will close its doors for the final time in a few weeks.

“We were trying to figure out other ways we could keep it open, but I just couldn’t see it going how it should be run,” Crocker said. “It was supposed to be high-quality stuff, so I wanted to keep it high-quality. We could have transferred to lower-quality, but that’s not Waugh’s.”

Crocker said business has decreased in the “past 6-7 months,” because “no one has extra money to spend.”

“We knew once the economy picked up we’d have been fine, but we’re at that point where we have a rent payment every month and then all the vendors wanted money up front,” Crocker said. “It takes about $300,000 to fill the store every six months. We just didn’t have the cash to do it that much.”

While the store is closing, its employees will continue to serve the Harbor with a closeout sale that starts Wednesday. Crocker said the discounts will start at 30% off and as they liquidate the store, those discount prices might get better for customers.

Crocker said Waugh’s has been “more than a clothing store.”

“It has been a part of our lives, our history and our hearts,” Crocker said.

Rick Moyer, owner of Moyer Multi Media LLC., and a Waugh’s customer, will miss Waugh’s.

“I love you guys,” Moyer said. “(I’m) praying for a new season for you. Very sad to lose Waugh’s, but so glad you are both my friends. If you need anything, I’m here for you.”

Moyer said he bought a suit years ago in what was a memorable visit.

“I laughed a lot and enjoyed the experience,” Moyer said. “I bought a cool shirt to do a wedding in and Amy just bought a sweater. We enjoyed talking with Daniel and the crew. Great customer service.”

Bobbi McCracken, one of the event coordinators for the Downtown Aberdeen Association, isn’t happy to see it go.

“We are deeply saddened, not only for the many people that shop there and love the store, but certainly the loss of a landmark in our community,” McCracken said. “We wish both of you the best in your future.”

McCracken shopped there with her son about three weeks ago.

“He bought a sport jacket, shoes and more,” McCracken said. “I purchased a flannel shirt. It is heartbreaking that this great store is closing. I am very sad and can only wish Daniel and Jessica the very best in the future and thank them for taking a chance.”

Wil Russoul, executive director of the Downtown Aberdeen Association, referred to Waugh’s as an “anchor store” for downtown Aberdeen.

“Losing an anchor store in downtown Aberdeen is very difficult to bear as folks who shop at Waugh’s often visit (other) local businesses as well,” Russoul said. “To also know that Waugh’s has been around for 104 years means an iconic business that our parents and their parents patronized is really sad.”

Sharon Sartwell, another satisfied customer of Waugh’s, spoke about what she’ll miss.

“I think the people you deal with there are very personable,” Sartwell said. “They always answer any questions you have and help you out. They’ll show you the different items they have on sale.”

Sartwell said she could get clothes there based on the season, and how she’ll miss the high quality material there. She expressed how she isn’t much of a fan of the other clothing stores in town because the quality of the clothing isn’t as nice as the quality found at Waugh’s.

And it sounds like she’s definitely a fan of the Crockers.

“I think they’re really good at what they do,” Sartwell said. “I’m glad they have (Tinderbox). They’re really very nice to deal with (there).”

Anne Marie Babineau, a well-known caterer in Aberdeen, is another long-time customer who doesn’t want to see it leave.

“‘Waugh’s Men Store’ as it was originally called, has been here my entire life,” Babineau said. “Wally Waugh was full of life and always put the customer first. My dad, Hugh Fitzpatrick, was a rather large fellow standing 6-foot-3. (Waugh’s) was the only place he was able to find clothes since they could be altered to fit. If I’m not mistaken they kept a file of customers’ sizes. It made it easy to shop for dad on birthdays and at Christmas.”

The store was there for Babineau as she had her own children.

“As my family came along it was the place for one son’s letterman jacket and the others’ first suit,” Babineau said. “Not to leave out the tuxedo service that was used many times. Then women’s fashions came along there. I found the most comfortable and warm bathrobe. It’s definitely a place to shop for the entire family.”

Crocker described how the store has affected the community.

“Over the decades, we have had the pleasure of dressing generations, witnessing countless milestones and sharing in your joy and memories,” Crocker stated. “We have cherished every moment spent helping you find the perfect outfit and will always treasure the relationships we’ve built along the way.”

It was hard for him to talk about the closure.

“They were customers in the beginning, but they all turned into family,” Crocker said. “Everybody who came in, all the time, we got to know what they liked, what they wanted and you could help them.”

Crocker remembered one of the closer relationships he developed as both a worker and owner at Waugh’s.

“There’s this one customer, he lost his wife to cancer. We talked for an hour or two. That’s what I’m gonna miss,” Crocker said. “We’re gonna have that (type of connections) at Tinderbox, but it’s different at Waugh’s. They’ve shopped there since they were a kid. I’m gonna miss that. And I’m gonna miss the kids getting their homecoming suits and the weddings. That’s what I’ll miss a lot.”

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.