ALABASTER – After 29 years of serving the Alabaster community, Paul’s Diamond Center is closing.

The jewelry store, located in the Colonial Promenade, opened in 1990. Prior to opening the diamond center, store owner Paul Petro, 64, worked as a sales representative for a major diamond manufacturer selling diamonds to retail jewelers. After a total of more than 40 years in the business, Petro said he’s ready to retire.

“Forty years is enough time,” Petro said. “I want a chance to do something else and have more time to spend with my family. I have son diagnosed with muscular dystrophy who’s in a wheelchair, and I want to be able to spend more time with him and my wife as well. In the jewelry business, you’re somewhat married to the business. You have to be with it all the time.”

Petro hasn’t set a closing date yet. He said the store will be open until absolutely everything has been sold, including his jewelry cases. All merchandise in on sale for up to 70 percent off.

He said the worst part about closing will be missing the friends he’s made over the years.

“The majority of my customers are my friends,” he said. “It’s been great. We’ve had babies at the same time, and now they’re all grown. There are some who bought their engagement rings from me and now their kids have come and bought engagement rings as well.”

Petro thanked the Alabaster community for its many years of support.