By Shannon Hegy

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB0 -- For nearly 40 years, it's been a second home.

"It's a tradition," said Melissa Frenier.  "It's been around the corner, a place we want to be."

A place, where everybody knows your name.

"It's sort of like our own Cheers," said Shirley LaRose.  "You can come in by yourself, or with a group and there's always someone to talk to or make you feel better if you don't feel good."

But on Valentine's Day, Smitty's was a place filled with farewells.

"They've all come to say good-bye," said owner Judy Rys.  "I've had people coming in, sobbing."

The general store, deli and restaurant in Northampton opened its doors for the final time Sunday.  Rys and her husband can no longer afford to keep it open.

The Clement Street bridge, which is a main connector from the west side of town to the restaurant on Riverside Drive, closed back in 2007 for over a year due to repairs.  Owners say the business they lost during that time is the primary reason they're closing now.

"It just snowballed," said Rys.  "There was no way to recuperate from that 17-month closing."

Generations of families filled the small business Sunday, reflecting on years of memories.

"I've been coming here since I was 20 years old and I'm 86 now," said Irene LaRose.  "It's a loss in one way for all of us who've been coming here for years.  I'm gonna start crying."

Rys admits, in the midst of the sadness, a small glimmer of hope still remains.

"We continue to pray for a miracle," said Rys.  "Our customers continue to pray for a miracle."