By Laurie Casey

Our beloved all-things-green store is closing this month, and owner Maria Onesto Moran is moving on to a new mission. On Jan. 31, Green Home Experts will sell off the last of its stock and close its doors.

We will sure miss not only Maria's sparkling conversation from the front counter, but also the bright native plants and vegetables, the green school supplies, and the bulk cleaning products dispensed into our own containers. We also will miss the fun parties, classes and events that GHE hosted in its cheerful venue.

"I just want to say 'thank you' to my customers," says Maria. "Closing the store is very bittersweet. My business will continue with new opportunities. But I had my business before I had my kids. This is my second family... I will never forget the relationships that were formed here, and I am so grateful."

Maria says in her blog that after 8 years, she has seen GHE's sector of the retail industry change, bringing more competition. "Green options abound in every grocer, big box, and online. Green has gone mainstream," she writes.

Maria will continue in business serving commercial and wholesale distribution customers through a new business, Blue Jay Distribution.

And, she will continue to sell compostable bags, bakeware and tableware, as well as tile, cabinets and other sustainably made building supplies directly to consumers through ghexperts.com (shipping is free with a $20 minimum purchase).

We wish her luck in all her future endeavors and extend a hearty thank you for all she's done for the community these past 8 years.