Witco (India) Private Limited, one of the oldest business organization shuts down due to the ongoing Covid crisis. The announcement was made on April 5 in the company’s Facebook page. They stated, the chain was impacted with Covid 19 pandemic and couldn’t cope with the business as the lockdown called for International travel restrictions.

“The decision to close down this business was not an easy one, but unfortunately due to COVID-19 and the restrictions on international travel it was not sustainable for us. We would like to thank all of our customers and our esteemed clientele for their patronage over the last 70 years,” Witco’s statement on its website read.

Witco started its operations in the 1950s in George Town, Chennai, and was called West India Plastic Trading Co. It dealt in plastic ware, travel goods and accessories. They had stores in Chennai, Trichy, Bangalore, Kozhikode and Kochi. However, its primary presence was in Chennai and had 10 stores within the city.

People from Chennai got emotional and took to twitter to reminisce their memories with the iconic brand. Many said they purchased their school bags every year or when they left to abroad to study or work from Witco. Some commented that they still have Witco bags and would definitely miss the company.

This is very sad. Luggage maker Witco, which has been in business for 70 years, has shut shop due to the hit it took because of Covid19. pic.twitter.com/mfhQInfK5e

— Chandra R. Srikanth (@chandrarsrikant) June 4, 2021

This is terrible news. 65-year-old brand shuts down. I fondly remember trips to Anna Nagar Witco ahead of school reopening to purchase school bags. One such backpack bought in 2002 is still in use. https://t.co/1PB9ZUjz7Y

— Susmita (@susmitavb) June 4, 2021

Went to Witco as early as last month in requirement of some umbrellas. Only to find it closed. The go to shop for my bags during school and college times. Saddening to see a brand shutting down for real. https://t.co/xhY2E0m2S3

— Natarajan Somasundaram (@luckynatarajan8) June 4, 2021

Witco offered not only travel bags, but also bags for the regular commuter. Products it sold ranged from travel and laptop bags, backpacks, school bags for kids, as well as handbags. They even sold brands like Samsonite, Delsey, American Tourister, Case Logic, Nike, Puma, Fiorelli, Blues & Blues, VIP, Skybags, Baggit, Hidesign, Wildcraft and more. It also sold products on e-commerce websites such as Amazon and Myntra.