South Bend community staple closes doors just days after the market's Labor Day sales

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Unexpectedly a community staple in South Bend is no longer serving up town.

A few dozen cars drove by the St. Clair's Butcher Shoppe and Delicatessen, noticing the signs indicating that it is now closed.

“Everybody I've seen since I've been home, I've been telling about this place and now they’re closed what!” said customer Jackie Simon.

The St. Clair’s Butcher Shoppe and Delicatessen closed its doors unexpectedly Sunday the first, after three years in business.

“It makes me sad. Another business has gone under, and I'm sure that they worked very hard to try to make a go of it and I think it just is very sad,” said another customer, Maureen Kohler.

Like Maureen Kohler and Jackie Simon, hundreds of other people poured out their support on the Facebook page following the deli's announcement.

In their statement on Facebook the butcher’s co-founders shared their gratitude and sadness just days after their Labor Day sales last week, part of it said, “This isn’t just the closure of a business; it’s the end of a journey that has been central to our lives and, we hope, meaningful to yours.”

The business cited rising costs and a complex market environment as part of the reason for this closure. While Jeff Rea, the President and CEO of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce says it is important to buy local. The rising cost of labor, transportation and goods are driving businesses internal costs upwards, which is passed on to the buyer.

“Every piece along the whole supply chain adds a little bit extra to what you the consumer ultimately pays and it’s a difficult balance i think that’s always out there. Right, we all want to pay less we all think people should make more.” said Jeff Rea.

Jackie Simon said she prefers shopping locally. “14.99 and you get this huge container of awesome fresh food,” she said

The deals got her in the door, but the people made her a returning customer. “It was just nice to come in here and be able to talk to them like just friendly. They were very friendly, very clean place. It’s just kind of sad that they’ve closed down already,” Simon continued.

For those who have unused gift cards to St. Clair, Eby’s Old Fashion Meat Market in South Bend says they're honoring those up to 50 dollars through October 15th.