Downtown Pioneer Closing Shop In Fayetteville

Reece Shore has been in business for more than 50 years. He moved The Antique and Gift Center to Hay Street in 1990.

Downtown development leaders said Shore moved to downtown when it was not cool to be there.

"I felt like it was the place to be in the future. I still feel that way," Shore said.

Right now, roads are being fixed up. Old-fashioned lampposts will soon light up Person Street. New businesses continue to move in. Still, Shore said it is time for him to cash in. The 65-year-old plans to rest in retirement.

Shore said closing is bittersweet. He believes the center city is on the verge of coming into full bloom.

"No one wants to leave before they start opening the gifts and that's what I feel is going to happen down here," Shore said.

Terry DeAtkine has been shopping at Shore's store for 13 years.

"This was the place I knew I could come downtown and find anything I wanted so it was just nice to come downtown and find it," he said.

The owner of the building said he has received several phone calls from people wanting to buy or lease it. Shore hopes to close by Thanksgiving. By the first of the year, a new antique shop will move in.