A LONG-ESTABLISHED feature of Helensburgh's shopping scene has closed for good - with the owner giving a "massive thank you" to locals for their support.

Lifestyle boutique Amaryllis Living officially closed on Thursday, January 11, though their stock had quickly disappeared in a post-Christmas sale.

Shoppers queued down the street to snap up goods from a store that featured everything from items for the home to jewellery.

Owner Lynn Gilfillan, 55, said it was a sign "of how good it was".

"There was a huge response to us leaving," she told the Advertiser. "People were devastated.

"It had been my baby, my child."

Helensburgh Advertiser: Amaryllis Living, in Sinclair Street, has now closedAmaryllis Living, in Sinclair Street, has now closed (Image: Newsquest)

Lynn said the premises' landlord had wanted another 10-year lease and she didn't feel that, at her age and stage in life, she could commit to that.

She opened in Sinclair Street in 2013, her first venture into retail after a career in banking.

And Lynn admits she didn't really go in with a plan - and that the shop was shaped by Helensburgh customers.

"The shop was working," she said, "but it was the workload and signing commitment for 10 years.

"If you're going to open in the high street, you need to be committed for 10 years.

"It takes you a good few years to get the recipe right. It can take three or four years to establish. So a 10-year lease is the norm, and it's probably right.

"Because of my age, and coming close to retirement, it wasn't sitting right with me.

"I have another shop in Glasgow and downsizing will make life a bit easier."

Neighbouring shop Vanity Fair is set to close next week as well. 

Helensburgh Advertiser: From front to back, Amaryllis Living owner Lynn Gilfillan with employees Trish White and Liz Tarr. Not pictured is fellow worker Janis WaltersFrom front to back, Amaryllis Living owner Lynn Gilfillan with employees Trish White and Liz Tarr. Not pictured is fellow worker Janis Walters (Image: Lynn Gilfillan)

"I created something different," Lynn continued. "It was something we created as we went along. It was a very emotional decision to close.

"A massive thank you - it was the Helensburgh customers that helped us create the shop.

"Thank you for being part of the 10-year journey. And thank you for the support for small business."

Lynn said she learned the Helensburgh community was very strong and Amaryllis Living became a "real social hub".

"People would pop in, not to buy but to say hello." she said.

"There was a real neighbourly community feel to it, which was lovely."