HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After more than seven decades, Long’s clothing in Hutchinson closed its doors. The store on Main Street closed Wednesday after 73 years in business. Owner Bill Long says it has been great.

“We have really had a tremendous run, a lot of great people in over the years,” Long said. “So many people have stopped by to say thank you. People from 50 and 60 miles out have made an effort to come and say (they) really appreciate what we have meant to this whole area.”

The store survived economic downturns, internet sales and big box and chain stores. Long says he has seen a lot of change along Main Street in the years he has been in business.

“It used to be downtown Hutchinson was the retail center of western Kansas. We had people from Garden City that came in on regular shopping trips. It’s hard to imagine, but that was Hutchinson 50 years ago.”

Things have changed in the way people shop since the store opened as well. Long recalled about 15 years ago when he was told he would not stay in business unless he used internet sales. Long says he rejected that idea.

“There wasn’t anything we could do about that,” Long said. “But if I had taken my time and energy and used it to try and develop internet customers, they wouldn’t have been our customers anyway, they would have been internet customers. I was willing to bet that we had enough loyal customers.”

Long says he is grateful to all of those customers who helped them be a staple of Main Street for 73 years.