One of Cumnock's longest-serving shopkeepers says she would never think of trading elsewhere, as she looks back on more than three decades of business in the town.
Marion Gilliland, owner of Presents and Correct on Townhead Street, served her first customer at the shop when she was around seven years old and when it was under the ownership of Hugh McGarva.
Marion's mum, Isabel, bought the shop back in 1987, and it has been in the family ever since.
Marion and her team have become some of the most well-known faces in the town, and ones that people trust.
And despite the challenges posed by decades of steady population decline, both in Cumnock itself and in the wider area around the town, Marion insists it's the only place she wants to do business.
Looking back, Marion said: “My mum worked for the previous owner and she bought the shop when I was 15. I served my first customer when I was seven or eight, when it was under the previous owner.
“I was up on my tiptoes serving customers.
“My mum bought it with a view that I would be coming into it after her and she officially retired about 15 years ago. But like a lot of family businesses, it’s just a natural handover."
Having previously been voted as Scotland's High Street Hero for her work in the town and the community, Marion has recently put some focus on raising money for charities close to her own heart as well.
Her work included helping to secure thousands of pounds to help businesses in the area improve their shopfronts.
Despite the ever-changing landscape of shopping habits, Marion says she would never dream of trading anywhere else.
READ MORE: Cumnock shopkeeper is named Scotland's High Street Hero
She added: “A key point of being here this long is to never forget where you come from.
"I’d had some advice over the years about potentially moving the shop and going elsewhere, but it was never something I would do.
“I never want to trade in another town, and I whole-heartedly mean that.
“It’s about adapting to changes and making sure you move along with what people want and being available for people.
“It’s important to be the face of the shop constantly and being someone that people can approach and recognise and trust and providing services”.
Marion has been providing a generational service during her time behind the counter, selling wedding presents and gifts to people she once sold baby gifts for.
Over the years, she has gained the skill of being able to meet people's demands and learn how to deal with more than just business.
Marion has previously opened the shop up as a safe space where people can come in and sit and have a chat.
It's this two-way generosity that Marion believes can take you far in life.
She added: “We’ve always wanted this to be a safe space and people can come in and feel at ease.
“Look after those that look after you. People don’t forget.
“The proof is in the pudding that I’ve just raised £6,250 for the stroke unit at Crosshouse Hospital through a fundraiser.
“So, that’s people giving back to me as much as giving to the shop.
“We are now closed all day on a Wednesday because of my health, so people adapting to that has been very helpful.
“Businesses have got to keep providing a service for people and that’s what we’ve been doing for decades."
One concern the legendary owner has is the battle against a cashless society.
Cash has been chipping at small businesses, and with Cumnock now only having two free cash lines, physical money may become more rare.
READ MORE: Cumnock shop hero reaches more than 12,000 people for stroke awareness
Marion continued: “I’ve had a notification that my transaction fees are going to be doubled, so we’re going to have to look for a new machine provider.
“We have to pay rental for the card machine, then we get charged per transaction.
“Society has changed and life has to change, but in local communities the heart hasn’t changed."
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