There were more laughs than tears on Friday as Sylvia Straw, owner of Happy Hanger in Peoria Heights, prepared to close her store after 30 years in business. The store is closing due to retirement as the owner plans to walk away to focus on painting and traveling in her retirement. The store offered a special on Friday: $1 for a bag full of anything in the store except for clothes hangers or furniture.
![Happy Hanger Sylvia Straw, owner of Happy Hanger, hugs Julie Polonus, a long-time patron, during a retirement sale on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, at the store in Peoria Heights. Straw is closing the store after 30 years to retire. She says she's looking forward to painting and traveling in retirement.](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/happy-hanger_01.jpg)
![Happy Hanger Sylvia Straw, owner of Happy Hanger, interacts with a patron during a retirement sale on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, at the store in Peoria Heights. Straw is closing the store after 30 years to retire. She says she's looking forward to painting and traveling in retirement.](https://www.brosher.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/happy-hanger_02.jpg)
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