Lovella Lalka opened Central Park Antiques some 45 years ago. When she locked up Monday afternoon, it was for the last time.

The old brick and wood building at 6617 Olympic Highway with its red-painted “Antiques, Gifts, and Home Decor” sign has been a fixture since the 1970s, when Lalka and her husband, Mitchell, started the shop. When Mitchell died 22 years ago, Lalka kept the shop running.

“It’s felt more like a hobby than a job,” said the 79-year-old Lalka. “This place has been good to me. It allowed me to make money to pay my bills. But now it’s just time.”

Her daughter, Karen Smith, said her mom has mixed emotions about closing down the shop.

“She’s very torn,” said Smith. “That shop has been her baby.” But finally compounding health problems got to the point Lalka has no other choice but to close the store.

Lalka and all five of her children – some who still live locally, one that calls California home now – face the daunting task later this week of going through the piles of books, old fishing rods and just about everything else you could think of as the building is prepared for sale.

“I’m keeping some of it. The rest is going to a second-hand shop,” said Lalka.