See's Candies local rival unexpectedly closing after 50 years
The iconic store surprised customers after announcing the harsh decision suddenly.
We aren't exactly living in a gilded age for retail right now.
It seems like everywhere you look, stores are holding liquidation sales as they prepare to close for good.
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It doesn't matter if you live near a small town or nearby a bustling metropolitan center. It probably feels like every time you pass by a shopping plaza, a store is closing.
And to some degree, a lot of these closures make sense.
When Joann Fabrics announced it would close all stores, for example, that decision more or less checked out.
Not many people are crafting, quilting, or sewing these days. And those who are typically get their supplies online or from cheaper retailers that sell a lot of other, unrelated things.
Niche retailers like Joann or Party City, therefore, are less in vogue in today's retail landscape. 
Niche retailers struggle more
It's not hard to understand why niche craft and party stores that have large footprints across the U.S. might close down.
It's become increasingly more expensive to operate a brick and mortar store. The cost of electricity, fuel, and inventory are all on the rise.
And fewer customers are coming in, since they get their supplies from cheaper options that often offer far more selection and rapid delivery.
More closings:
- Popular Mexican chain closing all restaurants, no bankruptcy
- Iconic mall chain shuttering more stores forever
- Major gym closing multiple locations after franchisee bankruptcy
- After Chapter 11 bankruptcy, beloved retailer closes all stores
The same can be said for other specialty stores, like candy and chocolate shops.
Sweet shops are popular in tourist-dense areas, where folks might stop in for a sweet treat during their vacation when diets are nearly always temporarily postponed.
But it's harder to compete with multinational brands like Hershey and Mars, which are often able to undercut smaller competitors' prices and produce similarly reliable and quality products.
They also happen to be available at nearly every grocery, convenience, and large format store, so they have far more points of sale.
Popular candy store closing down
Such is the case for a popular local candy store, The Chocolate Tree, located in Beaufort, South Carolina.
The Chocolate Tree is a famed local spot which was reportedly a favorite amongst A-list actors including Tom Hanks and Sallie Fields when they were filming "Forrest Gump," in the 1990s.
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Legend has it that The Chocolate Tree's box of chocolates was behind a part of inspiration for the film, which was mostly shot around Beaufort.
Now, however, after 50 years in business, The Chocolate Tree is closing down.
The store owners announced it would shutting down on Tuesday, May 27.
They anticipate The Chocolate Tree will close on Friday, May 29.
The Chocolate Tree sells over 60 different kinds of chocolates, including chili, raspberry, mint, and amaretto truffles, fudge, caramel turtles, and sugar free options.
