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After 30 years of clothing the county, First Impression is closing its doors in downtown Troy.

Sherry Helms, owner, said business has been good and deciding to close the doors was not the easiest of decisions.

“I had been thinking about closing First Impression for about a month or so,” Helms said. “And the decision to close really came down to a matter of floor space for our furniture business. I guess you could say to a ‘good business decision.’”

On Wednesday, First Impression began the closing process by opening its doors with a big 40 percent-off sale.

“Starting off at 40 percent is a mighty good sale,” Helms said. “I could have waited until closer to Christmas or even after, to put things on sale like that, but I wanted to go ahead and offer this to our customers in hopes that it will help them out some with their buying for Christmas, after this tough year.”

Helms said all clothing and jewelry items and baby gifts are on sale but items that will fit well with furniture will become a part of the new use for First Impression’s floor space.

“Wind chimes, mailbox covers, those kinds of items will still be sold, but as a part of the furniture space,” she said.

Of course, there will be bit of sadness when First Impressions is no more. Helms said she remembers how it was for her mother, the late Georgia Ziegler, when she closed one door at Home Gallery to open another.

Helms expressed appreciation to the many customers who have supported First Impressions over the years, for their business and for their friendship.

“I’m looking forward to having additional floor space and to moving ahead in business in downtown Troy,” she said.