BANGOR – After more than nine years in business, upscale furniture store Chez Renee will close its doors.

Renee Hudgens, owner of Chez Renee, said Monday she is selling the business by choice, not because of insufficient sales.

“I’m no longer interested in the retail life, the long hours. I want to spend more time with my kids instead of the everyday hectic retail environment,” said Hudgens, who opened Chez Renee in the fall of 1997 with her husband, Glen.

Hudgens said she has not set a date to close. She said she plans to fill customer orders and sell the store’s existing merchandise before closing. Everything in the store is on sale, and lamps, rugs and accessories are half off.

The couple are also selling the store itself, an 11,000-square-foot commercial condominium.

Chez Renee was originally located at 930 Stillwater Ave. but moved to its current location at 83 Washington St. 21/2 years ago.

Hudgens, a 39-year-old Bangor resident, said running a retail business in Bangor has been difficult. In the future, she plans to work from home, assisting her husband with his home mortgage business.

“Deciding what’s right, what people are looking for, it’s a big game. I call it the roller coaster of entrepreneurship,” she said.

Hudgens said her fondest memories of running the store are the interactions she has had with her customers.

“I’ve met a lot of great people. I’ve had a very good customer base that’s been very supportive and understanding,” Hudgens said. “I want to thank all my customers for their business.”

Store hours in the weeks ahead will vary. Call Chez Renee for more information at 990-4481.