Letters to the Editor

Letter: More than makeup

I would like to respond to Angela Ramirez’s letter published Sept. 29, titled “No Need for Nordstrom.”

Nordstrom had resided at 603 D Street since 1975. My family collectively worked at Nordstrom Anchorage for 44 years.

Ms. Ramirez stated that she wears Carhartts and Xtra-Tufs and that the store never had anything that she needed. Some of my best customers wore Carhartts and Xtra-Tufs into the store. It didn’t matter what people wore in to shop at Nordstrom, each person was treated with wonderful customer service and the majority of time left with packages that were filled with high-quality purchases.

We were not all “dresses, heels and makeup.” There was an individual human factor. During my career, I helped women with low self-esteem feel better about themselves by dressing them in beautiful clothing and cosmetics. I helped burn victims with scars on their faces feel beautiful again by introducing them to cosmetic products that covered their scars. Cancer victims coming to the store to learn to tie scarves to cover their heads while their hair grew back. I cried and held the hands of people who came to the store who had just lost a loved one, needing clothing to wear to the funeral. These are just some of the examples of one-on-one interactions with the customers I had the pleasure of assisting over the 18 years of my employment. The gratitude on the faces of all these customers, are memories that I will carry with me the rest of my life.

Just because Nordstrom Anchorage did not touch Ms. Ramirez’s life in a positive way, there are plenty of people this closure affected. More than 170 Alaskans worked in that building. These Alaskans paid taxes, purchased items and contributed to the community individually and as Nordstrom employees. The presence that Nordstrom had in Alaska is something that you cannot buy online.

Nordstrom Anchorage was so much more than “dresses, heels and makeup.” I am proud to have worked at Nordstrom Anchorage. Thank you, Alaska, for allowing me and my fellow employees to serve you.

— Heather Anderson

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Anchorage

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