American Girl Store At Natick Mall Closes

NATICK (CBS) – The American Girl store at the Natick Mall closed its doors for good Wednesday night. Not much was left inside the two story store and the shelves were empty.

You couldn't find any sales or deals, but you could find families sharing memories.

"They're closing and she wanted to have a last look," said Rachel Darling.

Parents were taking their kids for one last walk around the store before it was too late.

"Last year Toys R Us closed and I didn't expect this place to be closing so soon," said Haylie Darling.

"It was just a nice place to bring her even if you didn't buy anything she would just like to walk around," said Rachel Darling.

The store for many families is more of an experience. It was an afternoon or night away with their child.

"We've been here for so many birthdays. We've taken the dolls to the hair salon, gotten ears pierced, just have come in every special occasion," said Christine Garner.

The store opened in November 2008.

American Girl will also closed its store in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.

The company said 73 full and part-time employees will lose their jobs at the Natick store.

"It has been our privilege to serve these communities for more than a decade, and we thank our loyal customers for their patronage and look forward to continuing our valued relationship with them," Wade Opland, Vice President of Retail for American Girl, said in a statement.

"While decisions that impact our associates, our customers, and the community are always difficult, the closures are a necessary step to improve the overall health of our business and reinvest in key areas of growth."

American Girl will continue to operate 17 other stores across the country. The closest one to New England will now be in New York City.