The Country Store in River Vale closes its doors after more than a century in business
RIVER VALE, New Jersey (WABC) -- It's the end of an era in River Vale, New Jersey, where The Country Store, a community staple for decades, closed its doors for the final time Thursday afternoon.
For more than a century, The Country Store in River Vale has been a place where people have enjoyed sandwiches, candy, and maybe most of all, connection... until now.
"It's actually a nice day," said the store owner, Rick Marshall. "It's kind of refreshing to finally be moving on, but the people are making it difficult."
The current owners have been running the store for more than four decades, but now, rising costs are forcing them to close for good.
"Just the economy. Just no money in it anymore," Marshall said. "This building had propane for gas. Propane's $5 a gallon. Oil for heat, $5 a gallon. Just can't do it anymore."
For customers, it's not just the end of a business, it's the loss of a daily ritual, and a place that felt like home.
"Since I moved here, I've been coming here every single day," said customer Kasia Kusz. "Taught me how to make meatballs. I don't know how to cook so now I'm going to have to learn how to make my own lunch. At 40 years old, it's the saddest day of my life."
The store was known for its sandwiches, its quick lunches, the friendly banter, and even the occasional odd favor.
"People call me up for the strangest things," Marshall said. "When I first started here years ago, somebody asked me to help them put a bay window in. I left work and went and put a bay window in with them. Somebody had a raccoon stuck in their furnace once, they didn't know what it was. So, I went and helped them."
The Country Store offered a community and nostalgia. For long-time customers like Sam Raymond, the closure hits hard.
"My daughter was crying," Raymond said. "Crying here and then crying at home. We've been coming here for over 20 years. I live right down the street. Terrible."
As the final cups of coffee were handed out, the goodbyes were heartfelt.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
