By MATTHEW LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- After more than 15 years of operating in St. Lawrence County, Century 21 New Beginnings Realty, 20 Elm St., will close its doors Dec. 31.

Owner and real estate agent Linda Pratt said she and her partners decided not to renew a franchise agreement with Century 21 because it was time to move on.

“We are not losing money nor is the business failing. It’s just that many of us have grandkids and want to retire…some of our husbands are already retired and we want to travel,” Pratt said.

Janet Brown and Lynn Hall opened up their office at 20 Elm St. in November of 1999 and remained there the entire time open.

One of the agents is expected to open an office in January and Pratt said she will likely join her there.

“I plan to keep my license at least for another year…so I am not done completely,” she said.

Pratt noted that Hall will be fully retired while the rest of her colleagues will likely continue in real estate in some capacity.

She said that customers can call agents on their cell phones if they have any question. Pratt said she can also be reached at Mike’s South of the Rock in Colton.

“We want our customers to know that we appreciate their trust allowing us to sell their homes…and to all the buyers. We met a lot of nice people,” Pratt said.