Goodbye Domus ...

Domus, the popular kitchen and home accessories retailer that has been a Los Gatos landmark since 1969, will be saying its formal goodbyes today.

Owner Margaret Smith will be shutting down the store and relocating to a former 10,000-square-foot location in downtown Pleasanton this summer with hopes of returning to downtown Los Gatos sometime in the future.

The Domus store in Willow Glen, 1395 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, will remain open.

“This is heartbreaking, but it’s the reality of business for independent retailers today,” said Smith, who purchased the store from its original owners in 1996. “We are indebted to Los Gatos and the thousands of loyal customers who have supported Domus over the years.”

Smith had no choice but to close shop after her lease expired in April and property owners reportedly doubled her rent.

The store has been in downtown Los Gatos for more than 41 years.

Scores of regulars have been coming in during the final sale, telling Smith stories of buying their first set of cookware 25 years ago or the gifts they've purchased that have great meaning, said Domus spokesman Duffy Jennings.

"Margaret said her staff was running to the bathroom so often for toilet paper to give crying customers that she finally bought some Kleenex to have at the front counter. She has many anecdotes to share," Jennings said.