This week's Patch Portraits also highlight opening their home to adventure in Argentina and for more than two decades.
"It's going to be bittersweet because the friendships you make are like family," said Annette Gramatis, as she sat behind the counter on one of .
Gramatis's husband Jim owned and operated in Wilmette for the past 54 years.
Earlier: .
The store was sold to the young couple seven years after Gramatis' father opened it, in 1954.
With the recent death of her husband, Gramatis is no longer able to continue operating the store. On Aug. 30 the store's contents were auctioned off and Demas Foods offically closed.
"Time marches on and every good thing has to come to an end, and this has to come to an end," said Gramatis.
