Now that many of these shops have closed, Sage says, people choose to go to a mall, with easily accessible parking, rather than coming to the Square. It's just not worth the effort any longer, he says.
"Our customers now are limited to people who actually live here," Sage says.
And even the longtime core of loyal customers Sage has amassed over the year is part of a past generation. Many of the patrons Sage remembers from years ago have recently died.
While Sage's has been losing customers, rents in the Square have been steadily rising.
"Economically, I suppose this is something that just had to happen," Sage says.
"I'm going to be really sad to leave," he says. "I've worked here in this little office for the last 30 years. I'm really disappointed this had to happen."
On closing day, Sage does not come to the office. But his employees spend the day thinking of him.
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