BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - What was being called a "good business decision" brought shock and sadness for the community of Forest Hills and those behind the counter of a Nashville area mainstay.
Dan Smith has been behind the counter at Granny White Market for nearly 20 years.
Smith said his landlord told him on Tuesday he would have to leave when his lease was up in six weeks.
The lunch rush on Friday was exceptionally busy and emotional as longtime customers learned the news.
Generations of locals grew up going to the market affectionately known as "The Purple Cow" almost daily.
Landlord Reese Smith said the Granny White Market will continue, but with a new proprietor.
He told NewsChannel 5 he has good business reasons to make the change but wouldn't discuss it "out of respect for Dan."
Thousands have signed a petition to keep Dan and his family in the store, but it likely won't do much good.
"Honestly they're wonderful people," Dan Smith said of his customers fighting for him. "They hate to see us go. Everyone hates to see us go. But 19 years of your life, that's a long time and watching these kids grow up. It just hurts. It just really hurts."
Granny White Market originally opened in 1913. It moved to its current location in 1982.
