HANNIBAL, MO. -- A family-owned hardware store in Hannibal is closing its doors for good next month.

After 91 years in the hardware business, the Sauer family has decided to close Martin's True Value Hardware. Tuesday, Martin's True Value Hardware Owner Dirk Sauer gave us a glimpse at almost a century's worth of his family business.

"My grandfather moved to Hannibal from St. Louis in 1920. He sold hardware wholesale to various hardware stores in the area," said Sauer.

That led to a family business that would spread throughout the city for nine decades.

"That's part of our decision right now. We're running out of family. Whether we raised children that were too smart to go into the retail business or whatever the case may be, nobody in our family is interested in continuing the hardware business. So with the market and the economy the way it is and the competitive nature of business, my age...just all the combinations of things, we decided to get out when the getting is still good," said Sauer. "We're trying to do this from a position of strength, so to speak. Business hasn't been good for 4 to 6 years."

But the constant flow of support and friendship continues to walk through his doors.

"We've had a wonderful outpouring of affection from our customers. Over 36 years you make a lot of friends. We've had a lot of loyal customers, but it comes down to the fact that there simply aren't enough customers in the Hannibal/ Quincy market for the number of stores there are in the market now," said Sauer.

As for Sauer, he's not sure how he'll settle into retirement.

"Whether that works out, I'm not sure. I'm not one to sit and read. I need to be doing something," said Sauer.

He says the store's closure and liquidation should keep him busy for some time. But he won't leave without taking home years worth of memories.

"Folks, we just thank you for what you have meant to us over the years. We've had a wonderful ride," said Sauer.

A liquidation company has been hired to help with the closing process. The family's last official day of business will be Sept. 3. A liquidation sale will then begin on the 7th.