Wednesday is the last day of operation for a popular Panama City store, but this time it's not the economy playing as big of a role in why this cosmetic store is closing.

The Merle Norman makeup store has been a Panama City Mall fixture since the mall opened its doors in the 1970's, and the store's longtime owner is expecting her last day to be full of bittersweet emotions.

Hilda Hadley has been wearing Merle Norman makeup for 55 years and been buying the product from Glenda Mathews for 48.

"I have mixed emotions. I've been with Merle Norman for 48 years. My mother was with Merle Norman for 46 years until she died. We have customers, we've had some of them come in and they’re in their 80's. Even my mother’s customers stayed."

Mathews opened her Merle Norman store with the Panama City Mall 32 years ago and while she admits sales are down right now she says it's not the reason she's closing her doors.

"I'm closing because really I would like to spend more time with my family and children."

Although Mathews will miss selling the only makeup she's ever worn, she says it's the customers she'll really miss, the folks who've made her 32 year stay in the Panama City Mall so special.

As for Hilda Hadley, she'll continue to wear and buy the makeup but will miss her favorite salesperson of the last four decades.

Although Mathews has no intention of selling her franchise, she doesn't believe the Panama City Mall has seen the end of the Merle Norman cosmetic line.