VALDOSTA — Valdosta will say goodbye this summer to three long-time businesses.

Lulu’s Restaurant, Party World and Silkwood will all be closing their doors, but hope is on the horizon for those attached to these locally owned and beloved businesses.

Lulu’s Restaurant, located at 132 N. Patterson St. in historic downtown Valdosta, is a prime example of a landmark small business participating in the local economy and community. Not only has owner Mary Anna Smith provided excellent food and service since Lulu’s opened in 1997, she has played an active role as a leader in the downtown revitalization movement.

After nine years, Lulu’s will close its doors on Sunday, May 28.

One of the first to renovate a historic building downtown, Smith turned an old facility into a stylish, attractive restaurant that she believes offers “a peaceful ambiance, world-class food and superb service.” She has inspired many other renovations and with the help of others, has led downtown to become a lifestyle worth living with fine dining, excellent shopping opportunities, incredible residential lofts and much more.

“The renovation of 132 N. Patterson St. was truly a satisfying project and the result was a beautiful space recognized by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation in 1999 for Excellence in Rehabilitation,” Smith said in a letter to The Valdosta Daily Times.

The restaurant was considered a landmark in downtown, and its success was exemplified through publicity in Southern Living Magazine, an opportunity that Smith believes was only achieved through her staff’s hard work and dedication. She attributes success to family, friends made through the years and countless numbers of patrons that have supported Lulu’s.

Smith said that she has accomplished everything she wanted: she has a successful restaurant, and the revitalization effort is well under way.

“It was a great place to be; it has been a great run, and it is time for me to move on,” she said. “Now we can turn over the reins to all the other businesses downtown.”

Her future plans are not long term. She will spend her summer in Appalachicola completing an apprenticeship with David Carrier and his wife at Avenue Sea Restaurant. Carrier comes from a well known restaurant, the French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., and his wife is a pastry chef. Smith considers it a huge opportunity to grow professionally, though admits that it isn’t a permanent move.

“I’m going to still be in the restaurant field, but I’m going to take some time off, spend some time at the beach and see what happens. I’m just taking it one day at a time,” Smith said.

A lot of thought went into her decision to close the successful business. While running a smooth operation was rewarding, there were many nights when “the business ran me,” she said, adding that she would even be open to selling it if any parties were interested.

While new businesses will be opening soon downtown, Lulu’s isn’t the only one saying farewell. Owners Sandra and Ken Overman have decided to close their retail store, Party World, located in Summit Pointe off Inner Perimeter Road. Open since March 1999, it has provided services and merchandise to the community that were not readily available without shopping online such as specialty party products and stationery/custom invitation printing services.

The Overmans saw steady growth over the past seven years — so much, in fact, that the demands have started to weigh on them. With two children still at home, they knew that change was in order. At first, they opted to downsize and switch locations with Perfect Settings. When those owners offered to purchase a portion of Party World’s inventory, the Overmans prayed until they had peace that closing was the right decision. With a closing date set for July 29, Perfect Settings will assume control of press services and partial inventory in August. Until then, most items (excluding invitations) are 40-50 percent off.

“Our decision is bittersweet with a lot of mixed emotions. I have made a lot of good friends through the years, but I will now have more time to spend with my family,” Sandra Overman said.

Charlie and Elaine Satterwhite, owners of Silkwood at 1601 Baytree Road, have also experienced positive growth that has in turn created a greater demand of their time. Established 19 years ago in Remerton, the business makes trees, bonsai and bushes for decor before growing into floral designs. The Satterwhites sell products in their retail store as well as to individual interior designers and furniture stores.

Success brought them to a point where six day weeks are leaving little free time. They decided that closing the retail store and moving to a new shop would be the best decision. Silkwood will close on June 10; sales will continue until then.

“I will miss the retail side because I love working with the public,” Elaine Satterwhite said. “I’ll miss my (retail) customers personally.”

It has been the success of each of these businesses that has brought them to change, proving the small firms can truly grow in Valdosta’s business climate. Enjoy the services of each until their closing dates and support the new businesses that will lead the community into the future.