With 14 stores in the greater Cincinnati area, Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli is a growing business. It came to the surprise of many that the company would be closing the doors to one of its oldest locations.

After more than 20 years of booming business, the Servatii store on East Court St. will be closing at 4 p.m. Friday.

It's bittersweet for both the workers and the regulars who go there frequently.

Toni Crawford has worked for Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli for more than 26 years.

She said it's the mom and pop feel that’s kept her and her customers coming back.

“They know that it's going to be warm, it's going to be inviting, like into somebody's house,” Crawford said.

Business has been strong and steady, with two other locations downtown.

The Court Street closing came about as a result of the lease ending and a renewal not being worth the hassle of the area.

“Parking downtown is quite expensive,” said Crawford. “If you can find a place, then you're walking a long distance, and you don't necessarily want to do that in some of the sections downtown. So, that is hard, and then you're going to have to catch a bus.”

The current staff from Court Street will head to the Fountain Square location, but they say they will miss the feel of their current store.

“It’s an old building. That’s the original tin ceiling up there,” Crawford said, pointing to the detail. "And this floor, that's a hand laid mosaic floor. I love the atmosphere about it."

Servatii hopes their following will continue to visit four blocks down on the square.

They anticipate an increase in business, especially through catering orders, and look forward to opportunities available in the suburbs as well as Northern Kentucky.