A chain of department stores that started right here in the mountains is closing its doors and leaving hundreds without jobs.

Dawahare's announced Thursday that the company is closing its remaining 22 stores by the end of September because of money problems. Many people know Dawahare's as a staple of Eastern Kentucky's economy. The family owned business is more than a century old. Now, the Dawahare family says they're devastated it has to end this way.

Frank and Theresa Dawahare say the store has been a staple in their family's lives. They found out this Fourth of July that every Dawahare's store is closing after Frank Dawahare's brother Harding, the company president, made the official announcement.

"He came up on the porch and told me. I was just numb and then coming out here today is just very real," Theresa said.

"It's sad. It's your history that you grew up with," Frank said.

A history he says has been running through his mind all day.

"Just started thinking when I was 6 years old, I would go in the store and the manager at the time would ask me to count all the suits on the wall," Frank said.

Customers say the news came as a disappointment to them too.

"It's really sad. Like I said, they have the Kentucky stuff, so they're sort of a local and state thing. You know it's kind of sad," said Joetta Stiltner.

Owners say they'd filed for bankruptcy because business was slow and now they predict they'll run out of money by October. As of September 30th, 400 Dawahare's employees will be out of a job.

"I just feel so sorry for the people that have worked here for years and years," Theresa said.

"It's truly been one of the best jobs I could've found around here. I'd say probably the best," said Ben Myers, Dawahare's employee.

Owners say liquidation will begin July 12th.

Frank Dawahare says he hopes the family can come up with an idea for another store that will be as successful as the Dawahare's chain was for so many years.