Within the last week, Willberger Electric and Oil, a staple for hardware and heating in the community, said goodbye. However, that's not the only store that has closed in Grottoes.

Within this last year, Twitty's Great Value closed it's doors as well. These long-time businesses in Grottoes have closed shop.

Robin Gery is a Grottoes resident who used to take advantage of the stores that recently closed. She now does her shopping in Harrisonburg, but tough times do not make it easy.

"Even before the hike in gas prices, a trip to Harrisonburg was costly and I try to do my shopping all in one day," says Gery.

However, Grottoes Mayor Joe Morris says more businesses are coming in to provide more shopping and dining for the area.

"We are in the first stages of talking with a developer on a large piece of property and 25 percent of it will be business," says Morris.

Regardless of the possibility of more in-town shopping, Gery misses the long-time businesses and Morris agrees.

He says, "They like the mom and pop run stores because it gives them a hometown feel, and gives them somebody they can also go talk to instead of change in the delivery of the product. Having a hometown feel, that's what Twitty's offered and that's what Willberger has offered throughout the years," says Morris.

"Most of the employees, not all of them but most of them, call me by my first name and it just gives you a feeling of comfort," says Gery.

In the past nine months, three businesses in Grottoes have closed. They include Twitty's Great Value Store, a Texaco Gas Station, and Willberger Electric and Oil.