DOWAGIAC — Sue Kazlauskas has been the smiling face behind the counter of The Marshall Shoppe for the last 27 years. She has taken pride in helping customers find the right outfits and accessories to make them look and feel their best. But now, she is stepping down.

Last week, Kazlauskas sold The Marshall Shoppe, 138 S. Front St., Dowagiac, to longtime employee Cathy Franz. Kazlauskas said she is retiring to spend more time with family and relaxing.

“I want to spend more time enjoying life,” she said. “It’s time for me to go.”

The Marshall Shoppe is one of Dowagiac’s oldest clothing stores. The store was originally opened as Millie’s by Benton Harbor resident Clifford Clapsaddle. In 1945, Clapsaddle sold the shop to Marion and Pete Weaver, who operated the store as Wil-Mar Fashion until 1950. The store got its final name from Zella Marshall, who bought the store in 1957, calling it The Marshall Shoppe. Kazlauskas’ mother, Martha DeShazo, bought the store in 1973, and Kazlauskas started working at the store in 1975, eventually buying the store from her mother.

“I was always proud to carry on the Marshall Shoppe name and operate a store like this, which I think is a pretty good anchor for the downtown. This is kind of like a tradition,” Kazlauskas said. “I’m so grateful for all the customers who became like family over the years.”

Though she said she is sad to leave behind so much history and so many memories, Kazlauskas said she is confident that she is leaving the store in good hands.

“Cathy and I have been friends for a long time, and she has a good eye for the business,” Kazlauskas said. “I can see the business growing under her.”

New owner Franz started working at the Marshall Shoppe in the 1980s, when she was in high school. After leaving and working for other companies, she came back to work for the store in the early 2000s. She has worked for the Marshall Shoppe ever since.

“When Sue told me that she was thinking about retiring, I couldn’t stand the thought of her closing the doors, so I decided to buy it,” Franz said. “Things have been going well so far.”

Franz said she is excited to see where the businesses will go under Franz’s ownership. She added that she will continue to run the store much the same way Kazlauskas did, with a focus on customer service and generating merchandise that appeals to a wide range of customers.

“I really enjoy my job. It is what I have always done and it is what I like,” she said. “Purchasing a store here in Dowagiac is great, because this is my home and where I grew up. I’m a true believer in supporting my community. I think it is important to keep this business here for a number of reasons, for the community and for the following we have and for the fact that there are not a lot of specialty stores anymore. … I’m really happy to be able to keep the Marshall Shoppe right here.”