A longtime retail fixture in Forsyth County will close its doors by the end of January.
The owner of Parsons Gifts in Cumming made the announcement about the store closure on the store's Facebook page Tuesday afternoon.
"It's been the hardest decision we've ever had to make, but due to the changing retail climate and online competition, this is what it's come to," said Chris Willis in a telephone interview with AccessWDUN.
Willis said there's a Parsons store in Suwanee, and that location will remain open.
"Our cousins are over there," said Willis. "We have a 142-year continually family-owned and operated business - this is the fourth generation - so Parsons still exists."
Willis said she hopes customers will come by the Cumming store in the next several weeks to share their memories of the business.
"Gosh, there are so many people here whose lives have been touched by Parsons," Willis said. "After the craziness of Christmas, we just want to have some days where people can come and share stories and just get together with people in the community because the community has meant so much to us."
Willis said the store closing process will begin on Thursday at 9 a.m. with a Going Out of Business sale.
