JOPPATOWNE, Md. -- Bargain shoppers in Joppatowne have a little more than a week left to hit up C-Mart because the bargain store is going out of business due to slumping sales.

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C-Mart has been a staple in Harford County for 33 years, but they're being forced to shut their doors because of the ailing economy. The bargain basement store's prices sometimes drew a huge crowd for major sales, but others went regularly to see what was available.

"You just come in, you see it, you like it and you buy it, and it's reasonably priced," said customer Milton Saxmann.

"I'm a frequent C-Mart shopper. I'm a little disappointed to see the store close," said Al Williams.

C-Mart President Brad Brondroff said in a statement, "Today is a sad day for C-Mart employees and customers. We have been working very hard to sustain our business in what has proven to be a disastrous retail downturn. Our industry has been hammered by the current economic climate and we are no different."

"It's kind of sad. They've been around forever. It's like a Harford County institution," said customer Susan Hallgren. "A lot of stores are closing. I think it's really sad."

"It's bad. I'm 62 years old and I've never seen it this bad," said shopper Matthew Williams.

Brondroff said that C-Mart's sales fell off about 10 months ago and that they've been trying to come up with a plan to stay in business but just couldn't make it work. He said they're working with recruiting agencies to help their 34 employees find new jobs.

C-Mart's last day in business is Saturday, Oct. 18.