Charlotte, NC — Organic grocer Healthy Home Market is permanently shutting its doors.

The healthy food retailer has begun hanging Going-Out-of-Business sales at its remaining two stores in Charlotte and will close them shortly, according to a statement from owner John Bauer.

The company put itself up for sale in August but could not find a viable buyer. Its decision to close was a devastating one, Bauer states.

The organic foods grocer opened in Charlotte under the name “Home Economist" in 1979.

“As an important part of the Charlotte grocery community for almost 40 years, we are very proud of our family-owned stores, ” Bauer says in the statement. “The York family started the bulk food store concept back in 1979 with the slogan 'buy a pinch or buy a pound' and was one of the few places where bulk specialty and natural foods could be found."