FREDERICKSBURG, Texas — Dooley’s opened in Fredericksburg nearly a century ago. Now supply chain issues are forcing the family to close up shop. 

“You just got to draw a line in the sand,” store owner Tim Dooley said. “Circle a day on the calendar and say we’re done.”

In Fredericksburg, everyone knows Tim Dooley. The owner of the Dooley’s has an infectious personality.

“The most fun is always on the sales floor with the customers,” Dooley said.

His grandpa opened the store in 1923. Then his dad ran things until Jim took over 25 years ago.

“Really a niche business, which is a five and dime store,” Dooley said. “We don’t want to be a dollar store. We don’t want to be a Walmart.”

The store has a wide variety of products and served as a one-stop-shop for customers.

“Five and dimes our day was like equivalent to a Walmart today,” longtime customer Bill Drain said. “It had a little bit of everything.”

But at 68 years old, Tim has closed the family business after 99 years because inflation cost have become too much.

“I looked out ahead six months, and I decided I can’t stay in my niche,” Dooley said. “With the kind of price increases that are going on with supply chain issues and freight rates.” 

Dooley says the store’s longevity is because of great staff and customers. But the closing is sad news for customers like Drain who visited Fredericksburg as a kid.

“Ninety-nine years just wanted to see it one last time before they locked it up and it became something else,” Drain said.

Dooley believes his story gave generations of families the classic five and dime experience. It’s a legacy he’s grateful to be a part of.