Sue Sitter/PCT Melissa Kraft, owner of The Brown Lantern, stands near Christmas decor. The Brown Lantern will close permanently on Jan. 1.

A familiar sight for those traveling west from Rugby on Highway 2 will close its doors Jan.1.

Melissa Kraft, who owns The Brown Lantern, a store offering gift items from clothing to decor for nearly 10 years, said she decided to close her business to focus on family. Kraft still intends to stay busy, however.

“I’m going to see my kids, spend time with my husband and spend more time with my grandchildren,” Kraft said. She added she hopes to have more opportunities to visit her children, who live in North Dakota and Colorado. Kraft’s youngest, Kordell, is a senior at Rugby High School. Kordell recently placed first in the nation with his teammates in an agricultural mechanics competition at the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. Kordell will graduate from Rugby High in May 2022. His mom said she would like to spend more time on planning for his graduation and helping him transition to college and career.

Kraft said she would still pursue business interests. She sells sheds for a variety of uses on a lot near the Brown Lantern.

“I’m still going to sell the sheds,” Kraft said. “I sell from lots in Rugby, Rolla and they’re opening one in Devils Lake that I’m going to sell from. I’ll be busy with that, but I want to spend just a little more time with my kids, grandkids and husband. It’s not like I’ll be staying at home,” Kraft added.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” Kraft said of her time with The Brown Lantern. “I love the customers. Out here along the highway, we’re busy all the time. So, it’s been a hard decision to make because of the customers and how busy it’s been and how good business has been. But I feel this is the time I want to have a little more flexibility. I’m really excited about it.”

Kraft said of her decision to move onto things, “My family totally supports me in it. I’m looking forward to it. I will definitely miss the customers. I’ll still be around. I’ll be selling sheds from the lot out here. I’ll do a lot of my business over the phone and online.”

Kraft said she plans to keep in touch with the customers she’s met over the years. She also plans to stay connected to her hometown. “I wouldn’t leave Rugby,” she said with a smile. “I grew up here. I love the community. It’s an amazing community. Everyone has supported me in the last nine and a half years. In May, it would have been 10. But, it’s been awesome. I can’t complain at all about anything. Even during COVID, I couldn’t complain, because it was even busy during that.”

“It’s been awesome, but I’m really excited about having a little more freedom. A little bit, anyway. We’ll see,” she said, smiling again. “It might be just as busy, if not busier.”