Popular Concord Toy Shop Closing Permanently

CONCORD (CBS) – A beloved local store claims it's being forced out of business by its landlord, and generations of toy lovers are already grieving. "The Toy Shop" has been a fixture in Concord since 1942, but it may have only a month to live.

"Everything in the store is on sale," says David Hesel the owner of The Toy Shop of Concord since 1988. It's a going out of business sale. "We're the fabric of this community. his is the gathering place for people. It's a family that works here. It's awful," says Hesel, choking up.

Hesel says business is good and the future was bright until: "We got a bill for $80,000 for what are called common area maintenance charges," says Hesel. The charges are for increases in costs like heat, electricity and taxes. "I was shocked," he says.

Shocked because Hesel says the charges go back five years, even though it was just last July when the new landlord took over. He cries foul on that. "He has the right to charge for the past year that he has been the new owner. The store doesn't have $80,000. We're being forced out of this space, and I don't know why," Hesel says.

Hesel plans to close the shop at the end of June, and is looking for a new home in Concord. So far, no luck. "That's really sad. The children of Concord will really miss it," says Helen Finnie, who was shopping with her son today.

Hesel realizes that business is business, but says there should be other factors. "Fourteen people will lose their jobs and the community will lose an important part of the community for the past 73 years," he says.

We spoke to the lawyer who represents the building owner. He wouldn't discuss details because, he says, there are private negotiations going on with the tenants.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mary Blake reports