SEATTLE -- After four years in business, M Street Grocery has closed its doors for good.
Owner Matt Randish said he was not able to reach a lease agreement with his landlord.
The store, located at 8th and Madison in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood, initially planned to have a going-out-of-business sale this week, but instead decided to donate its perishable food items to a local charity.
Employees were given their final checks on Tuesday.
"This is the greatest bunch of people that's ever worked for me," said Randish, who was surrounded by most of his 32 employees. "Just a few minutes ago, I was bawling in there and said, 'I love you all.'"
The grocery business is in Randish's blood. His grandfather opened three Seattle grocery stores starting in 1915. His father was also in the grocery business.
Customers appreciated having an independent grocery store in the neighborhood.
"This is like a desert out here," said Toni Lucas, who lives half a block from the store. "The closest one is on Broadway and University. I'm not going to walk that far."
Employees were saddened when they got the news late last week.
"We're a big family and it was so hard saying goodbye to everyone," said cashier Andi McDonald. "My final day, it was so hard saying goodbye to all of my regulars, and there's so many I didn't get to say goodbye to."
Operation Sack Lunch, which provides meals for the needy, picked up boxes of perishable items from M Street Grocery on Tuesday. It was a bittersweet donation.
"Hate that we have to get it this way, but it won't go to waste," said Elmer Givens with Operation Sack Lunch. "We'll put it to good use."
Randish is working his grocery contacts to try and find new jobs for his 32 employees.
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