SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.- After being in business for more than 50 years, SLO Fresh Market has been forced to check out, for good.
"It's a very sad time for all of us for the entire neighborhood," said Gwen Schmidt, owner of SLO Fresh Market.
For Gwen Schmidt, SLO Fresh Market has been much more than just a store, it's become her second home for the last 11 years.
"It's very difficult that were closing, my customers are really important to me, always have been really important to me," explained Schmidt.
Come Thursday night, the shelves will be to empty and the doors will be closed. The shopping center where SLO Fresh Market is located, has been sold and Schimidt says she was given no other choice but to close, after not being able to afford rent.
"The economy is always tough, it's tough for everybody. If it was a little bit better then maybe it would be a different story," said Schmidt.
SLO Fresh Market is the fifth mom and pop supermarket to close in San Luis Obispo County since last year. Three of those being Scolari's, and the other Spencer's Fresh Market in Arroyo Grande.
"Unfortunately it's become a sign of the times and it breaks my heart to see bit by bit San Luis kind of changing," said Schmidt.
"It is like a family feeling for the neighborhood, so it definitely will be missed," said Renee Hathway, a customer.
Central Coast News reached out to the new owner of the shopping center to find out what would be replacing SLO Fresh Market, but as of Monday evening no word on the replacement.
