After 88 years in business, DeKalb’s Gonterman Jewelers is closing its doors.

The third-generation business, 143 E. Lincoln Highway, is in the process of shutting down.

“There is a lack of foot traffic and [there is] limited parking, and those are problems for us,” Gonterman owner Cindy Wickness said.

Wickness said it’s difficult for independent businesses to stay open with the recent splurge of commercial development on Sycamore Road.

“It would be better if some of the businesses were located near us, because it would bring more people in our store,” she said

Nancy Castle of Main Street-DeKalb, 164 E. Lincoln Highway, offered other reasons why a business would close.

“There are usually a combination of reasons for a business to close,” said Nancy Castle of Main Street-DeKalb, 164 E. Lincoln Highway. “The product may not be a match for the community, advertising doesn’t keep up and competition, are all factors for closing.”

Wright’s Jewelry, 124 E. Lincoln Highway, has been in downtown DeKalb for 18 years.

“Our business has been good and steady for the last 10 years,” owner John Wright said.

Wright said he’s not concerned about his store closing down. When he opened his store, there already were four other jewelry stores in town. The Gonterman store will be the last of the four to close, he said.

Wright also said the lack of foot traffic and the increase of competition on Sycamore Road contribute to bad business.

“Our store is a destination store,” he said. Other stores rely on foot traffic from downtown to bring in customers.

Also, Alta’s Gifts and Collectibles, formerly of 249 E. Lincoln Highway, closed down earlier this month.