Salisbury independent leaves High Street after 40 years

Casa Fina opens its doors for the final time today (Saturday 15th June)

Author: Aaron HarperPublished 15th Jun 2024

The owner of an independent Salisbury shop closes her doors for the final time today (Saturday 15th June) after 40 years on the city's high street.

Susi Mason, who owns Casa Fina, moves into retirement after a last shift.

The premises will be taken over by a new indie store in the next few weeks.

Greatest Hits Radio went to visit Susi before her final day.

"It's a strange feeling now because we're standing in a pretty much an empty shop," she said.

The store has always been known for having a wide range of items to choose from, but the minimalist look within the shop was an odd sight to see.

"I'm quite looking forward to Saturday," Susi told us, "I know lots of people are going to pop in and say hello to us and I think it will be a really nice community fun day."

Susi originally opened the store with her mum, and her own daughter will be working with her on the final day, bookending the shops story nicely.

And with over 40 years on the Salisbury high street, there will have been numerous great moments, but Susi told us there's one annual event that she'll remember best - and miss most.

"Our favourite time in the shop is preparing the Christmas window.

"We spend the whole day on the Sunday that the clocks change in October and we transform the shop into a sort of winter Wonderland," Susi said.

This year will be the first time in 42 years that the shop window doesn't have that winter makeover, but the staff are still going to get together on that Sunday in October to do something special.

Since announcing her retirement a few months ago, Susi told us the community have been sharing their memories of the shop with her.

"It's been so lovely that since I announced that I was retiring, we've had such a lovely stream of people coming in to share their memories of coming into the shop over the years when my mother was here, they remember her and they've been wishing me well and it's just been so lovely.

"We've always been part of the community and it's felt really special the last few weeks."

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