Why can something as basic as getting a drink of water become so complicated when you work in retail?

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores drinking water at work, hydration for retail employees, workplace culture, and the strange rules some stores have about keeping water bottles behind the counter.

From hiding drinks and sneaking sips between customers to walking across an entire store just to refill a bottle, retail associates know how quickly a simple human need can turn into a workplace issue.

Hilary also looks at what OSHA says about potable drinking water in the workplace, what employers are generally required to provide, and the difference between technically providing water and making it realistically accessible to employees during a busy shift.

But the water cooler is about more than hydration.

For generations, break rooms, stockrooms, employee entrances, and water coolers have been places where retail workers connect, decompress, share information, complain about management, check on one another, and build the friendships that often turn coworkers into work family.

Because sometimes taking care of retail employees isn't complicated.

Sometimes it's clean water, a place to take a breath, and the feeling that someone remembered there is a human being underneath the name tag.

What was the water situation like where you worked? Were you allowed to keep a bottle nearby, or did you have to hide it behind the counter?

Follow Sorry, It’s Discontinued on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube @sorryitsdiscontinued.

Because retail was never just a job.

And for this week's discontinued item, we're heading back to the 1990s with Fruitopia, Coca-Cola's colorful fruit drink known for unforgettable flavors like Strawberry Passion Awareness and Kiwiberry Ruckus.

Watch a 1996 Fruitopia commercial:
Fruitopia Commercial (1996) on YouTube

💋Have a discontinued favorite or retail story? Share it with Hilary here!

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Sorry, It’s Discontinued on your favorite podcast app, and leave a quick rating or review—it really helps our retail family and fellow customers find the show.

You can also connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @sorryitsdiscontinued. And if you have your own behind-the-counter story, discontinued product heartbreak, or beauty industry confession, send it my way—your story might be featured in a future episode.

This podcast is independently produced and is not affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned. All stories and opinions shared are personal, reflecting the real-life experiences of those who’ve worked in this industry with heart and hustle.

Thank you for being here 💄

the website: www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com

Connect with me:
Instagram & TikTok: @sorryitsdiscontinued

Listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎧

Want to share your story or suggest a topic?
Visit www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com and scroll to "Tell Me Your Story"

New episodes every Thursday
#SorryItsDiscontinued #BeautyPodcast #RetailLife

After 112 years, the historic Downtown Dallas Neiman Marcus is preparing to close its doors next week on September 30, 2026.

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, I’m saying goodbye to a store that became so much more than a place to shop.

We’re looking back at the incredible history inside this building—from Stanley Marcus and the legendary Neiman Marcus Fashion Awards to the extravagant Fortnight celebrations, The Zodiac, Helen Corbitt, famous popovers, monkey bread, and more than a century of retail memories.

I also share what it felt like to visit the Downtown Dallas flagship one last time and think about the generations of customers, families and retail associates who have walked through those doors since 1914.

And for this week’s discontinued item, I’m doing something a little different: the Downtown Dallas Neiman Marcus itself.

Thankfully, Neiman Marcus isn't disappearing. If you want to continue the tradition, visit the NorthPark Center location in Dallas or one of the other longtime Neiman Marcus stores still serving their communities, including Houston. Find your nearest store through the Neiman Marcus Store Directory.

And if you're wondering why I'm recording this episode without makeup if you happen to watch it somewhere...I decided to practice what I preach and do something for myself! I treated myself to a facial at Hi Skin. If you're in Houston, look for Jenesha at the Uptown Park location or Tiffany at the Rice Village location. My freshly pampered face is why we're going makeup-free for this one!

Most of all, this episode is about something bigger than a department store.

The things we buy may disappear, but the memories we make in these places can stay with us forever.

Do you have a memory of the Downtown Dallas Neiman Marcus? I would love to hear your story at sorryitsdiscontinued.com or @sorryitsdiscontinued on social media.

🎙️ Sorry, It’s Discontinued — celebrating retail history, nostalgia, the stores and brands we love, and the people who make retail memorable.

💋Have a discontinued favorite or retail story? Share it with Hilary here!

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Sorry, It’s Discontinued on your favorite podcast app, and leave a quick rating or review—it really helps our retail family and fellow customers find the show.

You can also connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @sorryitsdiscontinued. And if you have your own behind-the-counter story, discontinued product heartbreak, or beauty industry confession, send it my way—your story might be featured in a future episode.

This podcast is independently produced and is not affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned. All stories and opinions shared are personal, reflecting the real-life experiences of those who’ve worked in this industry with heart and hustle.

Thank you for being here 💄

the website: www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com

Connect with me:
Instagram & TikTok: @sorryitsdiscontinued

Listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎧

Want to share your story or suggest a topic?
Visit www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com and scroll to "Tell Me Your Story"

New episodes every Thursday
#SorryItsDiscontinued #BeautyPodcast #RetailLife

Have you ever loved something while shopping… until the person standing next to you told you not to?

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary talks about one of those retail situations associates know all too well: helping a customer find a fragrance, beauty product, outfit, or item they genuinely love only to watch a boyfriend, husband, mother, friend, or shopping companion completely shut it down.

After more than 25 years in retail and luxury beauty, Hilary shares the awkward balancing act associates face when they want to support the person actually shopping without starting an argument with the people shopping alongside them.

When is an opinion helpful? When does it become overbearing? And sometimes… when do you just need to let your friend buy the perfume?

Plus, this week’s Discontinued Product of the Week has a story worthy of the YSL name: Yves Saint Laurent Champagne, the 1993 fragrance that was forced to change its name after a legal battle with the Champagne wine industry. It later became Yvresse and while the original Champagne version is discontinued, Yvresse still lives on in select markets as part of YSL Beauty’s heritage fragrance collection.

Explore YSL Yvresse:
https://www.yslbeauty.co.uk/fragrances/fragrances-for-her/yvresse/yvresse/540YSL.html

If you’ve ever had someone talk you out of something you loved or you’re a retail associate who has stood behind the counter trying desperately not to say, “Just let her buy it!” this episode is for you.

🎙️ Sorry, It’s Discontinued celebrates the world of retail, the retail associates who keep it going, and the stores and brands we all love.

🌐 Visit the show: sorryitsdiscontinued.com

Have a retail memory, favorite discontinued product, store, brand, or shopping story you’d love to share? Visit the website and tell me about it.

💋Have a discontinued favorite or retail story? Share it with Hilary here!

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Sorry, It’s Discontinued on your favorite podcast app, and leave a quick rating or review—it really helps our retail family and fellow customers find the show.

You can also connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @sorryitsdiscontinued. And if you have your own behind-the-counter story, discontinued product heartbreak, or beauty industry confession, send it my way—your story might be featured in a future episode.

This podcast is independently produced and is not affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned. All stories and opinions shared are personal, reflecting the real-life experiences of those who’ve worked in this industry with heart and hustle.

Thank you for being here 💄

the website: www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com

Connect with me:
Instagram & TikTok: @sorryitsdiscontinued

Listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎧

Want to share your story or suggest a topic?
Visit www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com and scroll to "Tell Me Your Story"

New episodes every Thursday
#SorryItsDiscontinued #BeautyPodcast #RetailLife

What is the difference between motivating retail associates and truly inspiring them?

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores how retail leadership, sales goals, workplace culture, and fear-based management affect the people behind the counter.

She discusses how trust, coaching, teamwork, and recognition can create accountability without anxiety and how retail associates can protect their creativity, reconnect with their purpose, and remember that one difficult sales day does not define their worth.

Discontinued Product of the Week: Electric Youth by Debbie Gibson, released by Revlon in 1989.

Missing Electric Youth? Check out Popstar by Flashback Fragrance on Etsy, an independently created fragrance inspired by the discontinued original. This is not a sponsored recommendation.

When have you felt truly inspired at work?

Follow @sorryitsdiscontinued.

New episodes every Thursday—because retail was never just a job.

💋Have a discontinued favorite or retail story? Share it with Hilary here!

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Sorry, It’s Discontinued on your favorite podcast app, and leave a quick rating or review—it really helps our retail family and fellow customers find the show.

You can also connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @sorryitsdiscontinued. And if you have your own behind-the-counter story, discontinued product heartbreak, or beauty industry confession, send it my way—your story might be featured in a future episode.

This podcast is independently produced and is not affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned. All stories and opinions shared are personal, reflecting the real-life experiences of those who’ve worked in this industry with heart and hustle.

Thank you for being here 💄

the website: www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com

Connect with me:
Instagram & TikTok: @sorryitsdiscontinued

Listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎧

Want to share your story or suggest a topic?
Visit www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com and scroll to "Tell Me Your Story"

New episodes every Thursday
#SorryItsDiscontinued #BeautyPodcast #RetailLife

Does luxury retail customer service feel the same everywhere in the world?

After hearing about some of my niece’s experiences during a summer program in England, I began wondering how culture, class, race and nationality can shape the way customers and retail associates are welcomed and treated.

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, I explore luxury retail and customer service in the United States, England, France, Japan and China. From luxury boutiques to iconic department stores, we look at how retail experiences can feel very different depending on the country, culture, workplace and people inside each store.

We also talk honestly about the experiences of retail associates, including employee treatment, workers’ rights, sales pressure, racism and classism and why every customer and retail associate deserves to feel welcomed and respected.

Have you ever worked in retail or shopped in another country? What felt different?

🎙️ Have a seat and join the conversation because retail was never just a job.

New episode every Thursday.

💋Have a discontinued favorite or retail story? Share it with Hilary here!

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Sorry, It’s Discontinued on your favorite podcast app, and leave a quick rating or review—it really helps our retail family and fellow customers find the show.

You can also connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @sorryitsdiscontinued. And if you have your own behind-the-counter story, discontinued product heartbreak, or beauty industry confession, send it my way—your story might be featured in a future episode.

This podcast is independently produced and is not affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned. All stories and opinions shared are personal, reflecting the real-life experiences of those who’ve worked in this industry with heart and hustle.

Thank you for being here 💄

the website: www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com

Connect with me:
Instagram & TikTok: @sorryitsdiscontinued

Listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎧

Want to share your story or suggest a topic?
Visit www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com and scroll to "Tell Me Your Story"

New episodes every Thursday
#SorryItsDiscontinued #BeautyPodcast #RetailLife

What made Bloomingdale’s one of New York City’s most iconic department stores?

In this nostalgic episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary looks back at the history of Bloomingdale’s—from its beginnings in 1872 and the legendary 59th Street flagship to the Big Brown Bag, beauty counters, fashion, movies and pop culture.

Plus, a trip back to the 1980s and Splash, when watching Daryl Hannah as Madison walk through Bloomingdale’s sparked a lifelong love of NYC, department stores and retail nostalgia.

And this week’s discontinued favorite: The Body Shop Dewberry Perfume Oil, the beloved ’80s and ’90s fragrance that disappeared—and is finally back!

What store or shopping memory instantly takes you back?

Links mentioned in this episode:

🛍️ Bloomingdale’s Official Website:
https://www.bloomingdales.com/

💜 The Body Shop Dewberry Perfume Oil:
https://us.thebodyshop.com/products/dewberry-perfume-oil

🎙️ Sorry, It’s Discontinued — because retail was never just a job.

💋Have a discontinued favorite or retail story? Share it with Hilary here!

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Sorry, It’s Discontinued on your favorite podcast app, and leave a quick rating or review—it really helps our retail family and fellow customers find the show.

You can also connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @sorryitsdiscontinued. And if you have your own behind-the-counter story, discontinued product heartbreak, or beauty industry confession, send it my way—your story might be featured in a future episode.

This podcast is independently produced and is not affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned. All stories and opinions shared are personal, reflecting the real-life experiences of those who’ve worked in this industry with heart and hustle.

Thank you for being here 💄

the website: www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com

Connect with me:
Instagram & TikTok: @sorryitsdiscontinued

Listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎧

Want to share your story or suggest a topic?
Visit www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com and scroll to "Tell Me Your Story"

New episodes every Thursday
#SorryItsDiscontinued #BeautyPodcast #RetailLife

What happened to American Girl since the days of those magical catalogs?

In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary looks back at the history of American Girl—from Pleasant Company and the original historical dolls to Mattel, the evolution of the stores, and what it’s like to work for American Girl today.

She also shares a personal memory of taking her daughters to the American Girl store with her mom and how a simple retail experience became part of her family story.

Because sometimes retail isn’t just about what we buy—it’s about how it made us feel and the memories we take with us.

Which American Girl doll did you have—or always want?

What store holds a special memory for you and your family?

🎀 Explore American Girl:
https://www.americangirl.com/

💋Have a discontinued favorite or retail story? Share it with Hilary here!

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Sorry, It’s Discontinued on your favorite podcast app, and leave a quick rating or review—it really helps our retail family and fellow customers find the show.

You can also connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @sorryitsdiscontinued. And if you have your own behind-the-counter story, discontinued product heartbreak, or beauty industry confession, send it my way—your story might be featured in a future episode.

This podcast is independently produced and is not affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned. All stories and opinions shared are personal, reflecting the real-life experiences of those who’ve worked in this industry with heart and hustle.

Thank you for being here 💄

the website: www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com

Connect with me:
Instagram & TikTok: @sorryitsdiscontinued

Listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎧

Want to share your story or suggest a topic?
Visit www.sorryitsdiscontinued.com and scroll to "Tell Me Your Story"

New episodes every Thursday
#SorryItsDiscontinued #BeautyPodcast #RetailLife