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GREENSBORO - A longtime retailer is closing its doors for good, citing economic conditions for the decision.

West Market Gourmet, formerly known as Tobacco USA, began a going-out-of-business sale Monday, said co-owner Jerome Pappas.

The store was a fixture on Coliseum Boulevard for decades before moving to West Market Street a few years ago.

Though the name implied a focus on cigarettes, the store sold a wide range of items, from wine and gourmet coffee to utensils and spices.

But the store ran into problems that ultimately led to its demise.

"Given the economic conditions, we had to close," Pappas said. The decision to close was made a week or two ago, he said.

The move left longtime customers feeling a little blue.

"I'm disappointed," said Linda Davis of Greensboro. "It's kind of a fixture here."

Davis said she had been a regular shopper at the old store on Coliseum Boulevard, but had stopped going after the move, which she thinks hurt the store. Growing competition from other gourmet retailers probably didn't help either, she said.

On Monday, she went one last time, after hearing about the going-out-of-business sale.

"With time comes change," Davis said. "I don't know how good it always is."

Inside, shoppers strolled among dozens of jars of coffee beans, cigars in a humidor and a dwindling selection of wines.

The family-owned business was started in 1972 by the family patriarch, Jerry Pappas.

The store at 3900-H W. Market St. is liquidating its inventory with sales of 25 to 75 percent off.

Jerome Pappas said he anticipated the store will close by the end of January.

Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or at lanita.withers@news-record.com

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or at jason.hardin@news-record.com