As Michele Adolphsen moved inventory, Tuesday, she took stock of her family five and dime that served the community well for 69 years.
"We have purses, clothes, crafts, toys," she said. "We have everything!"
Five-and-dime stores were once in every city in the country -- a staple in the everyday life of everyday Americans. They were mom-and-pop shops where you could buy just about anything, for cheap.
Bay Variety is the last of them in downtown Port Angeles.
At Bay Variety you can still get an envelope for a nickel and a piece of candy for a dime.
It is a place families have depended on for their daily necessities for decades and an icon of simpler times.
"I grew up here," said Michele. "I used to rollerskate in the basement."
Michele's dad, Rudy Hiener, bought the store in 1972. He sold it to his daughter 15 years ago and has many fond memories.
"We used to be open every Friday night and Michele would fall asleep back in the rugs. We had one lady come up and say, do you know there's a little kid sleeping on the rugs back there?" said Rudy.
But times have changed. The store can't compete with the big chain stores and Amazon.
It will close its doors forever in May.
In losing Bay Variety, Port Angeles loses a little bit of its soul.
"It makes all the downtowns all the same," said Michele. "That's happening everywhere. All the downtowns are losing their uniqueness."
Some are so sad to see the store go they've sent "thank you" notes. Others have written their memories in a spiral notebook kept at the register.
"We've had so many people come in and say they remember shopping here since they were a little kid," said Rudy. "One woman came in and told us her mom bought her first Barbie here."
With the shelves now emptying of the toys and clothes and crafts, the fabric of this community weakens a little bit.
"It's sad, but I guess it's time," said Michele.
"A lot of folks say it just won't be the same down here, anymore," added her father.
