It survived the Depression, the recession and the three-day week. It survived the worst of the Blitz. But now Blustons, the landmark north London ladieswear shop, owned by three generations of the same Jewish family, is closing, so its owner "can volunteer for Jewish Care".

A little piece of the East End rag trade, transported to Kentish Town - complete with a grade II-listed frontage - Blustons has seen thousands of customers pass through its doors since it was opened in 1931 by Russian immigrants Jane and Samuel Bluston.

Their grandson Michael Albert, who started work at the store aged 16, is the current owner. He said: "My grandparents met in an East End sweat shop. The only skill they had was tailoring and my grandfather's speciality was made to measure suits for women, so they started their own business. When they retired my mother got it and it has been in the family ever since."

He said he would be the last generation to run the shop. "My children are doing other things so they can't take over."

He planned to spend his retirement doing charity work. "We are members of Edgware and District Reform Synagogue and Jewish Care has a day centre near us so I might help there. And I want to spend more time with my grandchildren, wife and family."

But saying goodbye to the racks of sensible cardigans and floral dresses would not be easy. He said: "I will certainly miss it - it has become my life. I've loved serving the community here. It is the end of an era."