You may have heard that Red Gate Liquor at 13325 Interstate 30 in Little Rock is closing after 65 years in business.
Well, Red Gate owner Druetta Craig told Whispers why, and the reasons are two-fold.
Red Gate, one of the first/last liquor stores near the Pulaski-Saline county line, lost 50 percent of its business after Saline County voters in 2014 approved alcohol sales, Craig said.
The other reason is that Craig is almost 69 years old and she's ready to retire.
The store's last day is Friday and everything in the building is discounted, from fixtures to liquor, though the liquor is pretty picked over, Craig said.
Her father-in-law established the business, originally located on Highway 5, in 1952. He purchased the I-30 property at the time the interstate was being constructed.
"My husband and I worked the business almost 50 years together, and he passed away five years ago," she said. "I have continued on, but I am ready to give it up. I'm ready to retire."
Red Gate sits on 28 acres that have been listed with Rector Phillips Morse. She's asking $3.5 million. "That's my retirement money."
Customers have been coming in sharing stories about their first purchases at the store, she said. "It's kind of bittersweet," Craig said.
But, it's time. "I just want to relax and enjoy this world."