Dies anyone know why Triminghams in Bermuda closed?
 

I was shocked to hear that this venerable Bermuda institution closed it's doors after 163 years. Any word as to why? And any word as to what will take over the space? Please don't tell me a Gap.

You might want to look at some back issues of the Bermuda Gazette. It ran several articles on the closing. Apparently the primary reason it closed was that they weren't making money. The Bank of Bermuda is going into the space I believe. I was very sorry to see Trim's go.

I was there in September and was one of the few people that appeared to be buying anything. The fact is, no store can keep their doors open without making sales. Very sad indeed.

I spoke with one of the Trimmingham sons who ran the place. He said his biggest competition was US and UK stores. Lot's of Bermudians travel off island to buy, and tourism in Bermuda has been lagging for many years (so many people come on cruise ships where they eat and sleep, rather than patronizing the local establishments).

That said, the commercial real estate market in Bermuda is ultra hot due to international business, so they may have decided their prime front st. location was more valuable for redevelopment into a commercial rental property than an under-performing dept store.

I agree, it is sad to see. I liked the old store and thought they had good wares at fair prices (if you shopped the sales).

The majority of people visit Bermuda by cruise ship because as an island it is very expensive with their importing most of the food items and there is a dearth of visitors at the hotels. Air fare has been a major problem and being addressed. As the manager of a prestigious shop told me (Bluck's)that cruise passengers don't buy expensive china, but little souveniers.. If you read the Gazette as I do daily (on line) there is another problem that is creeping into Bermuda..... crimes against tourists. As a BOP(Bermuda Obsessd Person) as others I am not happy with the larger cruise ships being allowed in. Hamilton and St. George will become another St. Thomas or the Grand Caymens with thousands of tourists disembarking their cruise ships. Bermuda will and is starting to loose it's charm. Shops are closed in St. George and now Hamilton. On the positive side the Dockyard is a tourist site and the high speed ferries are a wonderful way to see the harbor. When I visit next year I will miss the ladies at Smith's and Trimminghams...where I did buy my english collectibles. Bermuda is an island that actually welcomes tourists as welcome guests and not as a way to make a quick buck and are to be treated rudely because they will be on a ship that evening.

CowPolyEast in St. George's closed last winter and Frangipani, also in St. George's, is completely ordinary now. They used to have interesting and unusual products I couldn't get at home. Everything changes...even beautiful precious Bermuda.

I am so sorry to hear about Triminghams and the fact that Bermuda is experiencing more crime. I, too love Bermuda and it's british charm. I hate the idea of it changing.

CowPollyEast has closed!!!! It had some of the greatest items, now I'm really sad and disappointed. Last time there I wore a special necklace that I had bought there which is a "conversational piece"... a necklace of parrots. The thing that I loved about the shops are the ladies as I have mentioned before and the friendliness of Bermudians, the politeness of the school children on the buses. It seems it's the homogonization of the world

I too am saddened by what is occuring in Bermuda. It's charm was that it wasn't like all the other Caribbean islands, had that British flair, and was so safe and clean. It doesn't surprise me that tourism is down, and only cruise ship passengers are there. With American charging $800 round trip per person from NY, one has to think twice. I'm going to Europe cheaper! I hate the big cruise ships, when the passengers are on the beach, I feel like I am home.......Ugh.

USAIRWAYS has Bermuda on sale right now. The fares are pretty reasonable if you are flexible with travel dates.

LoriNY, Bermuda is changing but it still has oodles of charm. I think so, at least, even after living here 5 years. Think of the old walls, the windey foliage lined roads, the pastel houses. Simple as it is, I have fallen in love with the architecture here. When I move away someday, I think I may have to get a Bermudian architect to build me a house so I feel "at home".