NICHOLSON -- After nearly 100 years, a store in Wyoming County is closing its doors for good.
Lochen`s Family Food Store is at the heart of the community in Nicholson. Folks can be seen running in and out of the place and many have been coming to the store since they were kids. They say the end of Lochen`s, will be a sad day for everyone.
“It's going to be a big loss to the community, I mean that goes without saying,” said Patrick Walters of Springville Township. “It's going to be a big loss. I'm going to miss it."
“It's a family environment and you're not just a number like you are in bigger businesses. You're a person and you matter, and I'm going to miss that,” said Linda Smith of Nicholson.
As longtime owner Dick Lochen helped a customer take groceries to her car, he said that`s how it`s always been done. Customers come first and customers are like family.
Lochen said he`s retiring at the end of month, and is closing the store that has been in his family since 1915 due to economic reasons.
"After 97 years in business, we finally decided we have to close. It's just a sign of the times. It's the economy and lack of support, so we're leaving."
Folks we spoke with said the closing of Lochen's will not only be a great loss to the people, it will have detrimental effects on the community.
“They come for their weekly groceries and pay insurance bills, and gather up meals for the night and use the post office, and the ripple effect will be tremendous. I don't think we have any idea until this actually happens,” said Robin Emmerich with the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce.
Lochen says no one will take over the store once he leaves. The store is set to close its doors by the end of September.