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It's been a staple in the Monticello community for more than 30 years, now a family owned business is forced to close its doors. Our Venise Toussaint has more.

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MONTICELLO, N.Y. -- “It’s devastating, very devastating,” said Cindy Gottlieb-Deitchman.

Deitchman said her store has seen better days. She’s worked here in the Monticello Trading Post since she was nine years old after her father opened the shop in 1978. Now she’s forced to close its doors.

Deitchman said, “It was a very convenient shopping location, people were able to walk in here get personalized assistance get anything that they needed”

The once booming hardware store went from having packed isles and dozens of employees, down to only 8 employees and empty shelves. Deitchman said the bad economy and competition from larger chain stores like Wal-mart and Home Depot have put a huge strain on her business.

“There’s not enough population here to support it all,” said Deitchman.

The stores closing devastating to many loyal customers, some who have shopped here for over 20 years.

A shopper said, “It’s just another strain on the community.”

For years village officials have been working to revitalize the Broadway area in hopes of keeping local businesses open but owners say that hasn’t helped much.

The village closed parts of the street and shelled out more than $10 million repaving roads, sidewalks and adding decorative lights to the area.

“I don’t know what they were trying to accomplish. It looks beautiful but it’s not feasible if I were coming into this area looking for a place to rent I wouldn’t want to rent a business on Broadway that had no parking in front of it,” said Deitchman.

The Trading Post is just one of many businesses on Broadway that have struggled to stay afloat but despite the hardships, Deitchman said she’s thankful to her loyal customers and supporters.

“I just want to say thank you to everybody who has been there for all those years,” said Deitchman.

Deitchman plans to sell the building and bring all leftover items to another family owned store in Liberty.