After more than 50 years in business, the Gerdt family will exit the furniture industry with the closing of its original store in Southport.

The store’s closing, which will begin Dec. 28 with a liquidation sale, follows Gerdt’s decision to shut its Castleton store in October. The company opened a 65,000-square-foot store along U.S. 36 in Avon in late 2006 but shut it in August 2009 as sales softened during the recession.

Owner John Gerdt could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon after sending a release announcing the family's decision.

In the statement, he said: “The decision to close our business was difficult. Gerdt Furniture is a part of the history in Indianapolis and we have loved being a part of so many families’ lives. But there comes a time to move on, and [my wife] Cherie and I have decided to retire while we can still offer our customers the quality merchandise and service we are known for.”

Edward Gerdt, a detective for the city of Indianapolis in the 1950s, opened the Southport store in 1959 after saving enough money to realize his dream of operating his own business. John Gerdt and his two sons, David and Carey, currently own and operate the business.

The liquidation sale will last as long as inventory remains, according to the statement by John Gerdt.