The store was founded in 1924 and for many years was one of the town's only retail businesses. (Supplied: Robert Harders)
A general store that has operated in WA's South West for more than a century has hosted celebrations over the weekend to mark the end of an era.
The once sleepy town of Vasse is now home to several major retail outlets, which Vasse General Store owners say has had a huge impact on their small business.
The store has had just a handful of owners over the century, who each dedicated decades of their lives to the business.
After 102 years, the South West's historic Vasse General Store is closing its doors amid staunch retail competition in the growing residential area.
The century-old business has folded, with owners blaming the arrival of major supermarket, Coles and Vasse Farmers' Market, which is majority owned by Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting.
The small business has suffered with big business capitalising on the town's booming population and road traffic generated by tourists travelling to popular locations throughout the region.
The store, originally founded by the McGuiness family in 1924 and located 232 kilometres south of Perth, has had just a handful of owners who each dedicated decades of their lives to taking very special care of the community keystone.
The Vasse General Store has operated for more than a century. (Supplied: Vasse General Store)
Gloria and Neil MacDonald took carriage of the store in 2000, working diligently to keep it afloat for 26 years, choosing to finally shut up shop and retire.
"I'll probably be a bit teary … but I know that I've done the best I can and it's been a great journey," Mrs MacDonald said.
On Saturday, the Vasse General Store hosted a closing celebration, commemorating 26 years of ownership by the MacDonalds and 102 years of operation. (Supplied: Vasse General Store)
The closure comes less than two years after nearby commercial developments were completed, landing Coles, McDonald's, Vasse Village and Shell on the small business's doorstep.
She said the recent explosion of major retailers just a few hundred metres away has impacted the business.
Gloria and Neil MacDonald are set to retire after the store closes later this week. (Supplied: Vasse General Store)