Citing competition from the Internet and dwindling business, a Christian retailer who has served the community in and around Muskegon, Mich., for more than 75 years has announced plans to close this summer.

Hage's Christian and Educational Supplies announced its closing through a Facebook post earlier this month.

"While we do not have a closing date, Hage's will start to put all merchandise on sale starting today at 20%," owner Patrick Ritsema wrote July 15. "We want to thank all of you for your support over the past years. We could not have continued to spread the message of Christ in our community without you—our customers."

Some customers posted on Facebook, including Sally Howell, who noted that she has been shopping at Hage's since "I was a little girl with my parents."

"This is truly a sad day," she said. "I'm going to miss your store and the availability to get good Christian books and music, and the great service you always provided me with. Thank you for the excellent service you have given your customers over the years."

The store was founded as a jewelry store by Thomas and Cora Hage in downtown Muskegon in 1928, The Grand Rapids Press reported. The founders' son, Russ Hage, took the store in a different direction by introducing Bibles and Christian materials.

Russ Hage, Ritsema's grandfather, then purchased the store from his parents in 1958, expanding it with school and education materials. Ritsema, who has been in the family business for 25 years, owns Hage's with his parents, Dave and Maryl Ritsema, who are retired.

"We looked over the past three years and struggled harder and harder to cut our costs," said Ritsema, 40, who told the Press that his employees have been reduced from 15 to five. "The best part of this business for me has been the day-to-day interaction with our customers."

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