After eight years of service, Invermere’s Te Papa Nui Antiques and Collectables will be closing its doors within the next few months.

Owners Joe and Elizabeth Klein decided to close the store after returning from holidays. With Joe turning 80 this year, they decided now was the time to “move on to different chapters” in their lives.

“It’s a bit bittersweet for us because we really like the shop,” Elizabeth said. “We’ve met some fantastic people, locals and visitors alike.”

The couple hasn’t picked a specific day for closing, but will rather stay open until the vast majority of their stock has been sold. To aid in this endeavor, the store will be having a 40 per cent retirement sale on everything in the store, until the store closes for good. Elizabeth says things have been moving very quickly since the sale was announced, and that she’s surprised at how much product has already been sold.

“I think reality is starting to hit us because we’re seeing so much space (in the store),” Elizabeth said. “Thanks to everyone who has been coming in, and all the good wishes we’ve been getting, it’s very heartwarming. That’s the part that we’ll miss most, is the people interaction.”