Christine Goldner and Lisa Emerson are closing Sweet Carolina Gourmet, a gourmet cookie and candy shop in the Cleveland community. According to the company’s Web site, www.sweetcg.com, an unexpected medical emergency has forced the two friends to shutter their business.

In an e-mail two weeks ago, the owners thanked family, friends and businesses for supporting Sweet Carolina Gourmet. “We cannot possibly consider Sweet Carolina Gourmet a failure — we have learned too much, accomplished too much and have met too many wonderful people,” Goldner and Emerson stated. “So our success, though short-lived, was, without a doubt, a success. It simply was not our time to continue this endeavor.”

Goldner and Emerson launched the business from Emerson’s kitchen two years ago. Last year, they moved into a storefront behind the Food Lion shopping center in Cleveland. The longtime friends thanked the community for making the business thrive.

“Please know that we remember everyone who has helped us along the way,” Emerson and Goldner said in the e-mail. “We feel blessed to have received such great support and have met so many wonderful people through Sweet Carolina Gourmet.”

Jewelry store closing too

A longtime Smithfield jewelry store is also saying good-bye. Friedman’s Jewelers at 1285 N. Bright Leaf Blvd. is closing after the chain company declared bankruptcy earlier this year. According to The News & Observer, Friedman’s jewelry stores are conducting a court-ordered liquidation sale of $400 million of inventory. The sale started earlier this month and is expected to last a few months, the newspaper said.

Although the news is sad, it is an opportunity for buyers to find jewelry at discounted prices. Some items are 70 percent off the regular price. The store carries a variety of watches, bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings.

To see what type of deal you can find, stop by Friedman’s Jewelers between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Fridays and 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays. Other participating stores can be found in Durham, Garner, Raleigh, Sanford and Zebulon.

Auto shop in Clayton

Michael Lewis has opened his second auto shop in Clayton.

Lewis opened his first Michael’s Tire & Auto three years ago on Rock Pillar Road. Recently, he opened a second shop at 10517 U.S. 70 West beside Advance Auto Parts. Services include state inspections, computer diagnostic testing, oil changes and transmission work. Also, the shop sells and repairs tires.

Michael’s Tire & Auto is open from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 550-7777.