While hundreds rushed to shop at the Fuquay-Varina Belk’s store last weekend after hearing that it would soon close, others sorrowed over news of the closing and grasped for some means to reverse that decision.

Martha Weaver, a long-time Fuquay-Varina resident, was one of those unhappy and upset when she learned of the store closing, planned to occur in January. She called Mayor John Byrne and local Belk Store Manager Terry Snyder to ask if anything could be done to get the Belk Company to reconsider.

“Would it help to flood the CEO’s desk with letters or jam the phone lines?” she asked as she shared her disappointment with The Independent.

No one has offered her much hope.

The Belk store has been in Fuquay-Varina for 50 years, carrying clothing for men, women and children. For many of those years, the store carried household items as well.

In a news release, the company stated that “The store was one of the smallest in the company, and our decision to close it was made after carefully evaluating our business plans and competitive position in the Triangle market.”

The news release states that, “We have made the difficult decision to close our Belk store in Fuquay-Varina in January 2010. We will be refocusing our efforts and resources on serving customers in this region from our other Belk stores in the Triangle Region.”

The release also states that all current employees of the Fuquay-Varina store were to be offered positions in other area stores or severance packages.

As for whether the company might consider a new store in the Fuquay-Varina area, Peter Mendoza, vice-president and regional manager, said last week there are no current plans for a new store here but added, “There is always a possibility. We are always looking for new opportunities.”

Snyder said last week the local store had not been losing money.

Ms. Weaver, in expressing her concern, said she does not do all her shopping in Fuquay-Varina, but she believes there are many people in the rural areas around the town, living in Northern Harnett County, Angier, Christian Light and other outlying areas who have depended on the Fuquay-Varina Belk’s store for most of their clothing needs. She thinks there are quite a few older citizens, both in town and in surrounding areas, who would not feel confident driving in the heavy traffic or even walking in the large parking lots surrounding area malls in Raleigh and Cary.

Frances Goddard of Fuquay-Varina shares Ms. Weaver’s concerns and believes many other local residents do as well.

“I think we are losing something that would be hard to replace in today’s market,” Ms. Goddard said. “The people who work there are so caring and helpful. It’s like losing a friend.”