But Tracey Beane, owner of House of Beane, said she saw the closure of her gift shop in Fakenham as the start of a new chapter.
After moving her shop from The Drift to Upper Market Place last February, Mrs Beane closed it last month in favor of selling online and at a market stall.
Mrs Beane said: “I don’t regret having my shop as it was a great experience, it’s just a shame the cost of living has risen so much and is forcing so many businesses to close.
“I’m just grateful I have been able to change direction and continue my small business, just in another way.”
Mrs Beane said a drastic rise in utility bills and a sharp decline in sales were reasons she had to close the shop.
She said she luckily had a break-out clause in her lease, allowing her to leave after a year if “things weren’t working out.”
She said: “I feel sad to leave the shop and my customers, I met so many lovely people and miss my chats.
“Due to the rising cost of living people understandably were cutting back on non-essentials.”
House of Beane continues online and Mrs Beane sells her wax melts in The ‘Erb Lady on Bridge Street. She has also had a weekly stall at the Fakenham Flea Market since January.
She said: “The market stall is going well with lots of my regular customers from the shop coming to visit.
“It is a great market with lots of interesting stalls and friendly stall holders who make me feel very welcome.
“Unfortunately, I can’t fit all my stock on my stall so I also have an online shop.”