A closed sign is posted Thursday morning on the front door of Sam’s Italian Foods on Main Street in downtown Lewiston, signaling the end of an era for the flagship store. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — Sam Bennett started out selling his salami Italians to millworkers in 1939 near the corner of Minot Avenue and Elm Street in Auburn. They were so popular, he moved his operation soon after to 268 Main St. in Lewiston. But on Thursday, the Lewiston-based chain made the decision to close that location permanently.

A closed sign Thursday morning on the front door of Sam’s Italian Foods on Main Street in downtown Lewiston signals the end of an era for the flagship store. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

“With rising food costs and factors outside our control, we have made the tough decision to close our 268 Main St., Lewiston location,” the company explained in a written statement. “We have offered employment at other nearby Sam’s locations to every employee owner affected.”

The Sam’s location at 583 Prospect Ave. in Rumford has also closed, with the company saying it was due to a nonrenewable lease.

The company said its 11 other locations, including five in the Lewiston and Auburn area, remain locally owned and operated and open for business.

This story was originally published Thursday as part of “The Buzz: New Starbucks coming to Lewiston.” The Buzz offers quick hits about trending area business happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact business writer Christopher Wheelock at 689-2817 or cwheelock@sunjournal.com