As we bid goodbye to one of my favorite stores, Turandot, let me take you back to what I know personally of this building, this business and of course the animals that figure in to the story.

When I was growing up in Broad Ripple there was a delivery restaurant called Chicken Delight. As I recall** it was located in the little building (littler than it is today) that is now Turandot. Frequently on Sunday evenings my parents would have them deliver dinner to our house. This was in the 50's and there were very few restaurants and certainly no chains. It was a big deal and a big splurge. These were the days when mothers cooked at home.

Time passed. Fast forward to the eighties. I became the owner of a silly Basset Hound named Chloe. I discovered that the little building was now the location of a dog groomer. Chloe got her baths there and after she was no more I bought a little dog that was a Bichon Frise. This dog was high maintenance and thus we were at the groomer's every five weeks, so often in fact, that I was given a key in case I couldn't get there after work before they closed. My little dog lived sixteen years, longer than my relationship with my groomer who by then had moved away.

More time passed. In 2005 I saw a classified ad for work at the store Turandot. I had shopped there at the Gallery Tours and knew of it. For several years it had been at Keystone at the Crossing and had come to Broad Ripple in 1994. When I went to the interview it was so strange because I couldn't get out of my mind how it had looked as a dog grooming shop. Lisa Lanham had purchased this little building and put on a two story addition accessed by a metal spiral staircase. I climbed the stairs to meet with the managers, Linda and Leslie. Waiting at the top of the steps was Lisa's wonderful Brittany Spaniel, Puccini, who was very excited to meet me. (In1926 Giacomo Puccini wrote the Opera Turandot, hence the name of the dog and the store.) I was offered the job which I happily accepted.

It has been a wonderful experience! I met Lisa the first day on the job, not before. She greeted me with these very words..... "so you're the goddess they told me about". I absolutely glowed. Can you ever imagine a boss meeting you on your first day with such words? She then told me I was now one of the "girlfriends" and to never let a customer give me a hard time (none ever did - you are all fabulous). Then we went to lunch. Last May it was discovered that the majority of us had birthdays in May (or that our names began with an L).

The Indianapolis Opera Company presented the opera Turandot at Clowes Hall. We decided to celebrate our birthdays by having dinner across the street at Ambrosia and then going to the Opera. It was one of the most fun, enchanting and delightful evenings I have ever had. I had thought I did not like opera but that production was fabulous and got a standing ovation. The costumes, stage and performances were awesome!

The operatic story of Turandot is marvelous. This May we are discussing a farewell birthday. It just won't be the same.

That pretty much sums up what it has been like to work there. I opened up my own store and could not bear to leave "the girlfriends" and so worked there on the days my store was closed or had my husband work our store on his days off so I could work at Turandot. Needless to say that couldn't last forever because I was burning the candle at both ends. I resigned a week before the store closing announcement. I did it in a cowardly way by leaving a note on a desk. I couldn't face a conversation. I then slipped away for a Spring Break where I got the call that she was closing. I stayed on the schedule for three more weeks and may still pop up if needed at the end.

Every day that I have worked there someone has told me this is their favorite store. Everyone, like our own columnist Lisa Battiston, questions where will they buy their unique gifts. It is indeed a unique place owned by a unique woman. Lisa Lanham, you made everyone feel special....your employees, your customers and the recipients of the special gifts purchased. You have a knack and you will be missed. God Bless you for the cheer you gave us all. And to my dog friend Puccini.....please make Lisa bring you to City Dogs Grocery for some treats. I will miss you too, my friend.