A family-run produce and flower business of 101 years near the Rockland/New Jersey border has closed up shop, leaving its loyal customers in tears.

Many customers of DePiero's Farm Stand and Greenhouses kept their receipts Thursday as mementos.

The Montvale, New Jersey business started by Dante DePiero in 1924 has become unsustainable.

"[I'm] just an old lady who loves this family," said former DePiero's baker and current customer Audrey Pascale.

Pascale says that the DePieros fostered a family culture and made her workplace like home.

"They worked their hearts out for this home. It's a wonderful family, and I'm going to miss them," she says.

Dante DePiero's granddaughter, Tammy DePiero-Palmieri, said increasing costs for utilities, maintenance, labor and insurance led the family to this moment.

They refused to raise their prices further to avoid pricing out families.

Then earlier this year, they sold half their remaining 11 acres to the Borough of Montvale and half to a private company.

"In the end, it's not what my grandfather would have wanted for the land," DePiero-Palmieri said, "I'm sure he would have loved to see it continue as DePiero's farm, but we did the best we could with what we had."

Their customers were quick to remind the staff that in recent years while other similar businesses were closing, the DePieros adapted well enough to outlast most nearby farms.

One customer mentioned it is a shame that as local family farms go away, fresh food options go away, too.

"It's like Rockland County used to have lots of farms," she said. "Not anymore. The property's too valuable, which is a really sad reflection of our society."

The farm might not be completely done.

The owners said the Borough of Montvale is trying to keep the land it bought from DePiero's as a community garden and farm where locals can still buy fresh produce or grow it themselves.