A shop which has been trading for more than five decades faces closure after its owner decided to retire.
Rosemary McCann is stepping down as boss of Nova on the Granite City’s Chapel Street after 52 years in charge.
It means the business could close by the end of July, unless someone else steps up to take the reins.
Liz Laing, Nova’s general manager, said: “She will absolutely be missed, she’s a very organised person with an innovative way of thinking.
“She brought loads of new ideas to Aberdeen in the 1960s that the city had never seen the like of.
“She was always on trend with items.”
Nova is an independent retailer specialising in wedding gifts, kitchenware, toys, cards and presents for all occasions.
Owner Rosemary was instrumental in setting up what was then a new design concept in gift shopping in 1965.
One of her first purchases for the shop was Laura Ashley tea towels – before it became an international brand selling clothes.
And she was the first to stock Paddington Bear in the Granite City.
The loss of such an institution will be felt in the West End, Liz said.
She added: “It’s one of the few independent shops in Aberdeen. It’s leaving a hole in the West End and for Aberdeen as a whole.
“It will be missed I’m sure.”
The shop celebrated 50 years of trading in 2015 -a day after a car crashed into the property’s windows.
It looked like the celebrations would be cancelled after a Vauxhall Corsa crashed into it.
But workers rallied round to make sure the special occasion went ahead.
Richard Noble, of FG Burnett, will be looking for a new buyer.
He said: “It’s always sad when a long-term business comes to an end.
“Hopefully with the major office development in the west end of Union Street there will be plenty of interest in it.”