The Cornell Orchards Store has shut its doors for good. For decades, it's been selling apples and other local goods to the community.

“Cornell Orchards store is not covering its costs, and for an enterprise unit, that’s a big problem," said Mark Schrader, assistant director for Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station.

The Cornell Orchards Store opened its doors in 1952, almost 70 years ago, but after years of financial struggles and a lack of customers, the store decided to close its doors onFriday.

“There are many people who have a vested in the store; its got a history to it [and] that is really meaningful to the community," said Schrader.

Leaving shoppers, disappointed. 

“At first it was all rumors, then they were confirmed. [I am] kind of devastated because we’ve been coming here for 40 years," said Susan Spear, a shopper form Caroline.

“This has always been a part of the community and it's going to be a shame to see it disappear depending on what form it does disappear," said shopper Patrick Brooks Burke.

The orchard opened in 1910 and will remain as a teaching tool for Cornell students. Trees there produce 210 tons of apples every year, but the future of the store is uncertain.

“Our hope is to figure that out as soon as we can and when we do figure out what the future of the store holds, we’ll reach back out to the community. But right now, we just don’t know," said Schrader.

“I would hope they go back to doing it in the fall when the apples are at their best. I felt when they kept it open all season last summer the apples really weren’t worth buying," said Spear.

Cornell University is helping employees of the store find new jobs on campus. Community members against the store’s closing have signed a petition to keep it open. So far it has more than 2,000 signatures.