LOWELL | Next week, people accustomed to shopping at Costas Foods will find a "for sale" sign in front of the 129 Washington St. market.

Part of the town's commercial landscape since 1976 when John and Tina Costas, of St. John, opened the 25,000-square-foot store, Costas is one of two supermarkets in Lowell. The second store is County Market.

John Costas, 75, said it was not an easy decision to make.

"This is all we know," he said. He and his wife married in 1972 and have worked together in the store for 32 years.

The couple has contracted with Lagestee-Mulder Realty and Investments of South Holland to sell the business, Costas said, noting that they specialize in this type of property.

Rumors that the store would be closing have been running rife in the town as shoppers observed a diminished inventory, but Costas said it will not be closing.

"You can't sell a closed store," he said.

Both John and Tina Costas were members of the Lowell Chamber of Commerce, volunteering in a variety of capacities.