Ben Franklin Craft store in Iowa City's Sycamore Mall to close in October

Iowa City's Sycamore Mall is losing another store -- Ben Franklin Crafts store will close at the end of October.

"Sycamore mall is kind of the forgotten mall," said store owner Jane Van Loh, who explained sales have fallen recently. "It seems everything has either moved to Coralville or gone to e-commerce."

Van Loh and her husband, Dean, have owned the craft store, which has sold art supplies, scrapbooking supplies, yarn, frames, home decor, Halloween and Christmas decor, and stationery, since 1986.

The store will be holding a closing liquidation sale beginning on Sept. 4 at 9 a.m. Items, including Halloween and Christmas decorations, will be between 20 percent to 70 percent off.

Van Loh said she and her husband have not yet decided what their next venture will be but is thankful for all of customers they have had over the years.

Ben Franklin is a franchiser of discount craft stores that was purchased by Promotions Unlimited in 1997 after the original company filed for bankruptcy.