A popular Sunnyvale See’s Candies store will officially seal its chocolate boxes and shutter its doors this weekend, leaving locals looking for a new place to satisfy their sweet tooth.

The store, which is located at 1238 W. El Camino Real, is closing on May 11 due to “business-related” reasons, according to store employees. Days before its closure, empty shelves of shiny chocolate boxes could be seen throughout the store alongside cardboard packing boxes.

When asked by this news organization for more details, store employees directed additional questions to the See’s Candies company, which did not respond to a request for comment.

See’s Candies is a nearly century-old retail company selling candies and specialty chocolates. The company has hundreds of storefronts in California and several locations scattered across the nation.

In the South Bay, stores in Los Altos, San Jose, Palo Alto and Santa Clara will remain open. But for loyal Sunnyvale store customers, the loss hits too close to home.

On an April 28 NextDoor post about the closure, dozens of locals expressed their disappointment over the news.

“I am also so sad about the See’s Candies store closing,” writes Mountain View resident Jolynn Bommarito “It was so convenient.”

Sunnyvale resident Virginia Ford said she is sad her favorite local chocolate store is closing.

“It’s like losing an old friend,” the 49-year-old said Monday.

Ford moved to Sunnyvale five years ago from Texas. After hearing about the popularity of See’s Candies in the area, she searched online for nearby stores and discovered the El Camino Real location. Ford, a chocolate lover, said she liked the friendly employees, cozy location and wide selection of sweets.

When Ford’s husband goes to Texas for work or to visit family members, she often drives by the store after dropping him off at the airport. Treating herself to some of her favorite candies, which include cinnamon-flavored hot hearts or chocolate caramels with sea salt, helps her separation anxiety, Ford said.

“Sometimes the little things are the most meaningful,” she said. I’d step into the store and give myself a little chocolate, sometimes a whole box. It was uplifting.”

Her husband has an upcoming trip scheduled after May 11. With her favorite store is gone, Ford said she’ll have to take a detour.

“He leaves (May) 17 to Texas, and I’m like, what am I going to do?” Ford said. “I guess I’ll go visit the Santa Clara location.”