Since the dot-com bust and the emergence of eBay, antique stores in the area have been forced to shut down, but Trisha's Treasures has stayed open until now.

Patricia Digilio, 50, owner of the store, says it's with a heavy heart that she's closing her business. Trisha's Treasures has been more of a lifetime passion for this antique collector than just a source of income. Digilio says health problems are what has forced her into retirement.

"I am just not able to do the things I need to do to run my business," Digilio says.

She says initially she had hoped to sell her business, so someone with the same passion and commitment as hers could keep it running.

But she believes the publicity for the sale of the store was not adequate.

Digilio says it is "very upsetting" to think that there will not be an antique stores in this city.

She is holding an inventory sale at her store with all pieces of furniture and collectibles available at a discount of up to 50 percent. The store's extensive collection of estate jewelry will be sold for discounts up to 40 percent.

Digilio has always been against the concept of selling antiques over the Internet. In an earlier interview with The Sun, Digilio mentioned that buying antiques was all about touching and feeling an old piece that has weathered the passage of time.

"I still stick to my views. I will not be selling my items on the Internet," she says.

"I do not know what I will do after Tricia's," says Digilio. "Maybe I'll take up pottery to occupy my time."

But Digilio says she'll continue to sell her collection of jewelry--which has been her primary passion--at the antique shows she attends once a month.

"That will probably help me foot my bills," she says.

But for the month of March, Digilio will focus all her attention on the storewide sale.

Trisha's Treasures, 153 E. Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale, 408.991.9907.