After nearly 88 years, A.E. Schunke House of Diamonds, on North Walnut Street in Mount Clemens, is going out of business.
"It used to be really busy and you knew everyone in town," said owner Sue Schunke.
"The economy is different, people are different and everything changes."
Schunke continued to operate the family-owned business after her husband, Alfred "Al" Schunke Jr., died in 2003.
"It's time," Sue told the Macomb Daily. "It's not something I want to do, but it has to be done."
The family moved to Mount Clemens in 1917, and in 1920 it opened its first store. Since then the business moved several times, but in the 88 years it has been in business, their commitment to customer service has never changed, customers say.
A long-time patron told The Macomb Daily that the closing of A.E. Schunke will be a big loss to the city. He said that the owners had always demonstrated a commitment to quality merchandise and had great customer service.
"It's like a mom-and-pop store," said 10-year customer Norma Godfrey. "She knows everyone by name, just like 'Cheers.' It just feels homey? You don't get too much of that everywhere."
Schunke said that although she is closing the doors, she will never forget the great memories she has had there.
Schunke told The Macomb Daily that among her favorite memories was when her husband and others stood outside of the downtown Mount Clemens stores to watch presidential candidate John F. Kennedy stroll through the town on a campaign stop.
She said Kennedy asked for her husband's watch and he gave it to him, because Kennedy's watch wasn't working.
Schunke has marked everything in the store 20 to 60 percent off until she closes its doors on Jan. 31.
Source: yahoo
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