EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- After nearly 35 years, Hahn’s market in Eau Claire is closing its doors.

Owner Brian Hahn said the store is closing because it was unable to recover from increased competition after the Highway 53 bypass was built seven years ago.

Monday and Tuesday, the store is closed to prepare for going out of business and doors will reopen 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, Hahn said.

"It wasn't looking good, so we decided it was time to move on to other things," Hahn said. "We haven't been able to get (sales) to grow again and our expenses keep increasing every year."

He says less traffic combined with more competition drew customers to other places.

"Over the time that we've been here, the grocery market's changed tremendously ... the pie is just gettting smaller and smaller."

Next door, Christian Cuts hair salon store owner Nicole Bagwell said it's a tough loss for the community.

"It's really sad, there's a lot of customers within a two-mile radius that don't drive and they're in their nineties and they feel comfortable enough to come down here ... I had three people that said that they're not going to be able to get their groceries because now they're closing," Bagwell said.

Brian Hahn said the store will stay open until everything is sold, which he hopes won't take long.

"We'll have special prices on everything in the store ... I'll be cutting meat this week, so we'll be here," he said.

On its Facebook page, the business says “The Hahn's family and the whole staff would like to thank you for the years of support. We will miss serving the community, our loyal customers and being your trusted local grocery store.”