ROME, N.Y. -- It was closed for business Friday and will be closing its doors for good in a matter of weeks. Home Depot recently announced it will close stores that aren't performing well and this store in Rome is one of them.

"It's the best business decision for the company and their long term to have to close this store and the other 14," said Home Depot Communications Manager Caroline Counihan.

This particular location has only been in town for about five years and has nearly 100 people on staff.

"We really hope that we can keep all of the Home Depot associates that work at the Rome store within the Home Depot family and place them at other stores close by. For those associates that we aren't able to place, they will get 60 days severance as well as be eligible for the midyear bonus," said Counihan.

Many customers like the convenience of having this location here in Rome and many are disappointed they'll have to drive even farther once the store closes for good.

"It's the only closest Home Depot we have now and it's a shame because I come here all the time," said Michael Sobocool.

"Prayed for many years they would come here and they finally got here and now they're going," said Florence Cotroneo.

Rome Mayor James Brown feels bad for the families affected by this change but doesn't feel there will be a big economic impact in the city.

"I still see the sales staying in the city and we still capitalize on the sales tax because it's just going to shift to other retailers within the city," said Brown.

The Rome Home Depot will stay open until all the merchandise is sold, representatives said that will probably take seven weeks.