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http:// http://www.tootoo.com/w-Furniture_Furnishings/buy- Bedroom_Furniture /src_product/ The Furniture Choices store on Sycamore Dairy Road is going out ofbusiness after more than 30 years in Fayetteville. The owner, Gary Regan, said he is retiring. But he also describesthe economic climate as the worst he has seen for furnitureretailers. Soaring gas prices, inflation on the grocery aisles andthe sagging economy have hit certain retailers hard. “Furniture stores, out of all retail, have been hurt the most— even more than automobiles,” said Regan, who is 62.“It’s a luxury item.” He believes there will be more stores struggling to stay open. “I’m not by myself,” Regan said.“I’ve never seen the furniture business as bad as it isnow.” Regan is selling everything — from his remaining stock ofliving room suites to the buildings themselves at 3756 SycamoreDairy Road. He also owns a building behind the store, which housesCoastal Carpets and Interiors Inc.; the sale is contingent on thenew owner honoring a rental agreement with that store. Furniture Choices is open today through Saturday for a continuationof its liquidation sale. The hours are 10 a.m. to 7p.m.; untileverything is gone. The store sells finished and unfinished furniture, includingentertainment centers, bedroom furniture, dining room tables andchairs, accent pieces and lamps. Regan said he has mixed feelings about his pending retirement. Healso owns stores in Winston-Salem and High Point, which havealready closed. A home office in Greensboro will shut down once theFayetteville store is gone. “Fayetteville was a great store,” Regan said.“I’ve had a wonderful, wonderful opportunity to workwith employees that were friends to me.” One of his employees has been with him 31 years, he said. Othershave worked for the company for 20 years. Debbie Graham, the Fayetteville store manager, said customers haveexpressed sadness and disappointment over the impending closure. Some customers say they feel as if they are “losing theirbest friend,” said Graham, who is also the store’sbuyer and designer. “They are talking about the furniturestore.” 2008-06-20 16:28:12