For more than half a century the name Bostwick’s has been synonymous with the City Thomaston. Several generations have passed through the doors and purchased furniture for their homes over the past 59 years there, but now that is all coming to an end.

Bostiwck’s Furniture President Mike Key announced in a press release on Oct. 26 that he has decided to retire and close the store that has been in his family for over 30 years.

“It is a sad time, but sometimes in life you have to make tough decisions. This was a tough one,” said Key.

He stated that working every Holiday and Saturday over the past 38 years, the current retail environment and wanting to have the opportunity to help take care of his parents as reasons why he has decided to retire.

“I will miss my friends, customers and employees. That is going to be the hard part about this.”

When Bostwick’s first opened its doors in 1950, it was owned by J. C. Bostwick and was a jewelry store. It was originally located on the corner of Church Street and Thompson Street where Salter’s is now.

It was later owned by Ralph Willis and for may years was located on the square where theThomaston-Upson Arts Council is currently located. It is here that the store began selling furniture.

Ben Key, Mike’s father, bought the store around 1971. According to Key, his father owned nine loan offices and six furniture stores at the time. Key started working for his father in 1972 as a delivery person. When Ben Key decided to sell off his offices and stores, he old his son that he would keep one store for him that would one day be his own. Of all the stores, Key chose Bostwick’s and said he has never regretted it.

“I’ve been to a lot of small towns and a lot of towns in Georgia and what makes Thomaston different is it’s people. They are just great people and it is just a great community,” said Key.

Over the years, the store itself has remained profitable with business steadily increasing each year. However, there has been a slight decrease in sales over the last two years due to the economic environment. Key stated that it makes more sense to close the store now, rather than run the risk of financial crisis in the future.

Everyone who has merchandise on order will receive it as promised.

“We will have no problem keeping any of our commitments to our customers, employees or vendors,” Key said.

The store is currently closed for a private sale to former customers today, Wednesday and Thursday and will reopen to the general public on Friday, Nov. 6 for what is being called a “Great $3,000,000 Going Out of Business Sale.”

Key stated that this sale will be handled how business has ben done for the last 59 years with honor, respect and integrity. Special orders can still be placed during the sale as well. Hours for the sale will be Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. with other hours being announced at a later time.

“I appreciate everything, everybody has done for me in Thomaston. It has been great beyond my expectations and I would really like to thank everybody for what they have done. And there is always the possibility that someone may want to take the initiative and open the store back up,”