Patriotic store shuts for good after more than five decades of business – see its final day of trading

A LOVED patriotic shop will close its doors in a few weeks after more than 50 years in business.

American Estates antique store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin will close by the end of April.

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Owner Leonard Budney, now 90, told local NBC affiliate WTMJ that the store opened in 1970 and has served thousands of customers over the years.

However, he does not regret that his shop will soon be closed.

Leonard said: “No, I’m not sad about it. Well, because I’ve met a lot of nice people and it’s been supportive for me and my family.”

Bargain hunters have a limited time to snag the last remaining items on sale.

A store representative told Urban Milwaukee that several sales will occur in the run-up to the April closure.

Leonard’s daughter, Tammy Hablewitz, told WTMJ that she helps her father with final sales.

But she said she felt bittersweet, adding: “It’s also a bit sad when you grew up here and you have all the memories here.

“It’s a little hard to see it go away, you know.”

According to a tally compiled by Insider, at least 1,400 stores are expected to close in the US this year.

According to The Week, retailers closed 12,000 stores in 2020 and over 9,300 stores ceased trading in 2019.

The term “retail apocalypse” has been used to describe the problem that has plagued the industry for the past decade.

Experts have warned the so-called apocalypse began in 2010 and has accelerated in recent years amid the surge in online retail and the Covid lockdown.

Reputable brands have been forced to adjust their business models as they adapt to the new climate.

Popular sports brand Foot Locker has announced plans to close 400 “underperforming locations” by 2026.

Tech giant Amazon confirmed earlier this month that it would be closing eight Go locations.

The embattled Dallas home goods store Tuesday Morning will close half of its 487 stores this year.

Bed Bath & Beyond has reduced the number of its stores to 360 from its peak of more than 1,500 stores in 2017.

Luxury department store chain Nordstrom is closing its entire fleet of Canadian stores.

Six Nordstrom stores and seven Nordstrom Racks stores are expected to close by June at the latest.

CEO Erik Nordstrom admitted bosses don’t see a “realistic path to profitability” for its Canadian operation.