XENIA — A well-known Xenia business will shut its doors for good later this month after being in business for over 50 years.
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Wicklines Florist and Garden Center at 1625 North Detroit Street will close on June 17 following the retirement of the owners, Marcus Wickline, a son of the owners told this news outlet.
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Wickline said the family chose to close the business and sell the property after his parents decided to retire. Wickline could not take over operation of the business because of his own growing landscape business and his brother is focusing on teaching.
“The hardest part for me is meeting someone new and they say ‘I’ve been looking for a place like this,’” Wickline said. “I can’t tell you how many days I’ve spend in my office crying over it.”
Long-time customers have also expressed sadness to the news. Landscaper Scott Speakman, of Yellow Springs, said the closing of Wicklines is like losing a family member.
“(I was) instantly saddened. They’ve taught me a lot. (The family) are just wonderful people,” Speakman said.
The remaining inventory will go up for auction on June 20. After the auction, the property will be transformed into a Casey’s restaurant and gas station, Wickline said.