Cheers Owners Announce Retirement, Store Closing

After nearly 40 years in the community,  Gifts, Antiques and Interiors will close when the owners officially retire in March.

Tom and Jeanne DeFazio said they had been talking for awhile about closing the store at 436 Beaver St. and came close to it last fall, but the DeFazios said they believed the town needed as much business as possible and decided to stick around. 

“Now is the right time for us,” the store owners said. “The town is looking great with many new shops and restaurants, and it’s time for us to relax, maybe travel a little and enjoy our grandson, Evan, plus by this summer, he will be a 'big brother' when his mother delivers our second grandchild.”

Jeanne DeFazio has undergone treatment for amyloidosis, a rare disease. Tom DeFazio said his wife is doing much better, but her illness did factor into the retirement decision. 

The store is known as the place to find unsual and fitting wedding, birthday or Christmas gifts, along with antiques and furniture.

March 24 will be the last official day that the store will be open, the owners said.

In the meantime, practically everything in the store is on sale. Regularly priced merchandise is 20 percent off today and Tuesday. On Wednesday, the items will be marked down to 30 percent off. Christmas items are half price – except for collectibles. Furniture and antiques throughout the store have been marked down as well.

The DeFazios say they aren’t planning on leaving town.

“We plan on staying in ; we love it here and have no intention at all of moving,” they said.

The DeFazios own the building on Beaver Street, and it is listed for sale or lease.

"We would love to see someone come in and carry on the legacy of Cheers.”