LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A century-old business is closing its doors for good in Lakeland.

Marshall Jewelers, on Edgewood Drive, has been family-owned since 1956.

“Any time you leave a job, it’s always hard, but it’s hardest leaving the people behind that you become friends with. So many of our customers are our friends now,” Carol Marshall said.

Carol Marshall married in the Marshall Jewelers legacy.

Her husband’s parents took it over in 1956.

The jewelry store first opened in Lakeland in 1921.

“My mother and dad helped set a precedent with this business that was rather unique,” Bill Marshall said. “We never once believed that we needed to have high-end only jewelry.”

Marshall, who said he was about to start a job with a pharmaceutical company before starting jewelry repair work at the store, said his parents put a focus on people.

“We had jewelry that the guy that was working on the railroad or working on the farm or whatever could come in and buy it and appreciate the fact that he was able to pay for it,” Bill Marshall said.

Bill and Carol Marshall took over the business in 1988 and decided now is the time to close.

“It’s a challenge,” Carol Marshall said. “I felt like we’ve met the challenge. I’m not sure at 78 I want to continue to meet the challenges.”

Carol Marshall said she receives emails daily from vendors about how tariffs could impact prices this year.

“Now with all the tariff situation and all the uncertainty going on, we felt that this was probably a good time just to not worry about what’s going to happen in the fall,” said Carol Marshall.

Carol Marshall looks forward to traveling in retirement.

Her husband, who is a natural-born tinkerer, works on golf club repairs.

But when it comes to the store, it is clear what they will miss more than anything else.

“It’s the people. That’s who I’m gonna miss, more than anything,” said Bill Marshall.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for coming in and supporting us all these years. Thank you for your kind notes and bringing up wonderful memories that we’ve had of all of you. It’s been a real blessing in our lives,” said Carol Marshall in a message to her customers.

The Marshalls plan on closing the Edgewood Dr. store in mid-June.

There is a “going out of business sale” going on until the closure.