Modesto’s Keller’s set to close doors after six decades

After six decades of selling fine gifts and home decor in Modesto, McHenry Village mainstay Keller’s will close its doors in the new year.

Sisters Joyce and Cherie Keller planned to tell employees Wednesday night about their decision to retire and close the family business that began in 1956 with a store on Orangeburg Avenue. Their parents, Erv and Julie Keller, sold school supplies, toys, greeting cards and small gifts in that first shop, where there also was “an old-fashioned candy counter,” according to the store’s website.

Keller’s evolved into carrying fine gifts, china, crystal and housewares, a merchandising success story that would remain to this day at the McHenry Village location, where the store has been since 1978. The business has remained family owned and operated with Joyce and Cherie Keller taking over in 2002.

Keller’s currently is filled with Christmas decor and gifts and its lavish Christmas Gallery has been, for decades, a traditional holiday destination for many Modesto residents.

We’ll have more on the story this afternoon.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Modesto’s Keller’s set to close doors after six decades."