Kerri Douglas might be closing her business on Mill Street and Fifth Avenue in Coraopolis, but she isn't ending the relationships she established with the town and its people.

She says it was a sad decision to have to close the doors of Kerri's Corner Cafe after four years, but a medical condition is forcing her to get off her feet and take it easy for awhile.

There is a possibility that the shop will be sold to new owners who plan to continue running a similar type of coffee and doughnut shop, but it is not certain at this point.

Kerri says regardless of if the shop is sold or not, she would like to close by the end of this month. But if the business is sold she will volunteer to stick around another two weeks to help train new owners.

If a sale does not go through and Kerri has to schedule an auction, she still might keep the business open with a limited menu until the time of the auction.

Right now, whatever she runs out of, she doesn't plan to replenish unless new owners would be using it.

"I've already stuck around an extra month because I was given hope that someone was interested in purchasing," she says.

Kerri says she understands that her steady customers are disappointed to see her go, and she also will miss seeing them every day. But she also knows they understand that taking care of health concerns has to be her first priority.

Joe DiVito, who says he goes to Kerri's just about every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, is sorry to see Kerri go.

"That's where we all go to solve the problems of the borough and the world," he says with a laugh.

"I don't feel good about it. I would hate to see it empty. A coffee place is needed -- a home away from home. It's a place for us to hang out. It'll be missed by all the guys."

But, DiVito, Coraopolis Historical Society president, will see Kerri at society meetings, she says.

"I fell in love with the history of the town and the people. I've seen all the pictures and heard about how the town used to be and how I think it could be again," Kerri says.

"I've seen the businesses growing, and people might not realize that."

Her own family also has a history in the borough. She says her father was one of seven children who used to go with their parents "down the hill" to buy school shoes and clothes and go to the movies in Coraopolis.

Her dad also thought living so close to Isaly's and its chipped ham was "so great."

Kerri put herself through college by working at a deli and says she loved it so much that she decided she wanted to stay in the field for the rest of her life.

After earning her associate's degree in hotel, restaurant management, she began working for a catering company in the North Hills.

On her way home every night, she passed what would become her new business in Coraopolis, usually getting stuck at the red light by the shop.

When she saw Poppy's "for sale" sign, she parked and got out of the car to peak in the windows. In April, 2004, she was the new owner.

Now, she will take her doctors' advice and slow down. Perhaps in the future, she says, she will be able to take a part-time job in her field and work behind the scenes.