For the past few summers, Northborough resident Maura Herdman would buckle her three children into her car and drive to the Happy Feet Kids store to pick out new shoes for school.
But unlike past years, Herdman's recent visit to the independent children's shoe store on Milk Street was bittersweet. After 25 years, Happy Feet is closing its doors for good.
"I'm a little bummed," Herdman said. "There's not a lot of stores like this anymore."
"I'm kind of sad (to see them close)," said Marlborough resident Christine Crocker, watching her daughter test a pair of black buckle shoes. "It's a nice store with good quality shoes for kids and great customer service. It's not fair that they have to close their doors."
Owner Harvey Shanbaum, who bought the store in 1999 from a former owner, said he felt it was time to close.
"It was time to make a change," Shanbaum said. "There are very few independent shoe stores anymore."
Shanbaum said he grew up helping his father run a children's clothing store in Southbridge and knew he always wanted to have his own store one day.
"I pretty much grew up in that store," Shanbaum said.
He says he'll miss watching his young customers grow.
"It's always nice to see them fit into their first shoes and watch them grow from there," Shanbaum said. "The kids can get scared of the foot-measuring tool, but they get excited when they get their new shoes.
"We've seen children go from their first steps to graduation."
Shanbaum credits his staff for the store's success in past years.
"We've always had a well-trained staff to help, and that's what we're all about," Shanbaum said.
"They have great customer service," Tammy Miller of Bellingham agreed. "These people are great."
The store also sold Girl Scout uniforms and supplies, which Miller said made her trips to Happy Feet worthwhile.
Shanbaum sent a letter to many loyal customers last week announcing the closing and a liquidation sale that began Thursday. The store will stay open until everything is sold, Shanbaum said.
Store hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Even knowing the store will close soon, the staff at the Happy Feet Kids store last week was welcoming, friendly and ready to help.
"It's a time in life to make a change, but it always stays with you," Shanbaum said.