Freckles, retro cafe and vintage store, in downtown Roanoke announced their store closing on Facebook with a status update and link to Boyz II Men song, “End of the Road.”

Their Facebook update on Friday reads:

“It is with an extremely heavy heart that I must announce the closing of my beloved store and second home this October. We promise to keep you informed of the official closing date and will keep our regular business hours until that last day. We hope you will continue to support our business just as you always have while we prepare to say our goodbye. There will be a final open mic, a last craft night, a going out of business sale as well as a final closing party. I will let you know more details about these events as they are being organized. Freckles will continue to have an online presence and we will keep you posted on how you can make purchases through our online store after we have closed. I hate to go and wish I could stay but I’m keeping my chin up (in between all the sobbing) and remembering what Liz Taylor always said to do in a crisis: “Pour yourself a drink, put on your best lipstick and pull yourself together!” But really I am going to be just fine. Thank you (all of you!) for the support, the encouragement and the memories. I hope you will keep a small space for us in your heart always.”

The shop is part of a vibrant arts community on Kirk Avenue downtown. Freckles sells vintage clothing, footwear, accessories and collectibles. The shop also serves a variety of coffee and bubbletea drinks and snacks.

I’ve left a message at the store to get more details on the store’s closing. I will update this post as soon as I have more information. According to a status update today the store is closed today in preparation for a closing sale.

Here’s recent Roanoke Times coverage of the shop:

http://blogs.roanoke.com/arts/2011/11/crafters-gather-at-vintage-store-freckles-in-roanoke/

http://blogs.roanoke.com/storefront/2011/01/new-coffee-vintage-wares-combine-in-downtown-storefront/