After the recent sale of its Main Street location, Annapolis Shirt Company will be closing its doors April 20.

The shop, located between Spice and Tea Exchange and FatFace, was a roughly 30-year operation, selling Annapolis souvenirs such as official U.S. Naval Academy apparel, magnets and keychains.

The business’ owners posted they were closing earlier this month on social media.

“After over 20 years of business in the same location, our building has been sold and we must leave by the end of the month. With this very short notice we must sell all inventory and fixtures. Everything must go! Come make us an offer. Come say goodbye,” the post read in part.

While Annapolis Shirt Company still plans to continue selling their custom-made shirts, it won’t be through a brick-and-mortar storefront, said Tiffany Owens, one of the owners.

“We decided we’re not going to open anywhere else. We’re just gonna do the custom shirts. Probably end up [doing] that out of our house, obviously, maybe eventually getting a small location. But it’s definitely been stressful. … We love this store, we love the community, and it’s just heartbreaking,” said Owens, who has been working in Annapolis for more than 30 years.

Rosemary O’Sullivan is a regular shopper at the store. From Ireland, she and her husband, Dennis, visit Annapolis while seeing their son who lives in the Baltimore area. Over the years she’s bought Annapolis shirts, ornaments and Navy memorabilia.

“I was shocked, shocked absolutely because I thought it was cool shopping … loads of bargains and things and it’s a treasure trove,” she said.

Tiffany Owens bought the store with her husband, Jason Owens, in 2009, but the shop’s legacy preceded them.

Owens started working at the downtown souvenir shop when she was 15 years old when it was Bayfront Sportswear.

In the mid-1990s, the store changed its name to Annapolis Shirt Company, moving a bit farther down Main Street to its final location.

“We’re sorry [Annapolis Shirt Company] has to leave. They are the best tenants you could ever want,” said Patricia Meekins, one of the owners of the building,

It is unclear who bought the building. Meekins said it was a women’s clothing store but declined to say how much the property sold for.

State records show the property is valued at over $1 million. The Main Street property was passed through the family for generations, starting as a paint shop owned by her great, great uncle. Meekins said she was selling because “it was a great offer, and I have no family to pass it down to.”

Attempts to reach the stores Meekins indicated could be the new owners were unsuccessful.

“We really thought we would have it forever and have our kids work there, all my nieces and nephews and our friend’s kids all work there. So, it’s sad, but, you know, maybe this is an opportunity for something new,” Owens said.

Have a news tip? Contact Megan Loock at mloock@baltsun.com or 443-962-5771.