Owner Carrie Brown blames five years of wildfires, the remote location, and inability to find employees as key factors.
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"Bittersweet," she called the decision which also impacts her sister, Julie, who works as a manager, and also her father Charlie, a former Healdsburg City Manager who still helps out at 91-years-old.
Customers rushed the place, Thursday morning, as news of the closure spread.
"Its a community," said Carrie. "I need to honor each of them." The number of hugs she gave and received on Thursday bear witness to that.
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She will miss the people most, but not the 14-hour days.
Jimtown opened in 1890 as a classic general store and mercantile in the days long before malls and supermarkets.
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And fires.
Carrie bought the place in 1989 with her now deceased husband and set about building a modern stop serving food with fresh ingredients and one-of-a-kind items. Locals say this place played a large role increasing the Healdsburg food scene. "Martha Stewart even came here to interview us," she said.
But, the economy just won't support such a place in this space, anymore.
Closing? Really?
"It has to be done," Carrie said.