OAKLAND TWP — After more than seven decades in business, one Oakland Township family is shutting down a variety and convenience store at the end of this month.

Neff's Country Mart, 1141 Bonniebrook Road, which offers DVDs, groceries, drinks, novelty ice cream and other items will be closing its doors Nov. 30.

Owner and operator Carol Neff Tomasovic said she has made the decision to close the store following a combination of many factors, including changing the focus of her labors to her tax preparation business, Neff's Tax Services, the slow in business due to other retail outlets opening up, and the slacking of movie sales and rentals due to services such as rental kiosks and online streaming.

“I've worked three jobs all my life,” she said. “It's time to slow down.

It's had a good run. but times have changed and little ma-and-pa stores aren't around anymore.”

The store, which used to be called “Shorts” and housed a small gas station, has been in business for 73 years. It was founded in 1944 and was run by her great aunt and uncle, Louise and Jack Weiland, who offered penny candy, ice cream and other items.

Later the family added a movie rental component to the business and removed the gas pump.

Tomasovic said she and her family lived next door to the shop, and helped in the store from an early age. When given the opportunity, she wanted to keep the business in the family.

“We all helped her (Louise) in the store as we were growing up,” she said. “We all worked there at one time or another.”

She thanked all the customers who stepped foot through the door over the years, saying, “I just appreciate them so much for all these years coming in. I just want to thank everybody and that I appreciated their business.”