The Patio Shoppe to close today

The Patio Shoppe, a nearly 20-year-old patio furniture retailer based in Bluffton, will shutter the last of its three locations today.

At its height, the business employed 12 to 14 people with locations in Savannah, Beaufort and Bluffton, said Laura Sterling, the founder's step-daughter who is helping with the closing. The Savannah location closed two years ago and the Beaufort location at 745 Robert Smalls Parkway closed in December, she said.

Bob Guinan, 70, founded the business.

"In his heyday, it was great," Sterling said, but now, "Between economic factors and his health, it's just not going to happen anymore. … It's just kind of sad."

Most of the employees were laid off in December, Sterling said.