GRAND RAPIDS — The door dinged again and again at Morton Party Shop as customers stopped in for a soda, snack or cigarettes.

“I have one for you,” said store owner Zaki Karadsheh, hoisting a Dr Pepper bottle from behind the counter at the sight of customer Tom Horrigan, who grabbed two more of the sodas from the refrigerator.

The little convenience store at 70 Monroe Center, on the ground floor of the landmark Morton House building, has served as a quick stop for people who live or work downtown or are passing by for 24 years. It is closing Dec. 30.

With its decades-old, gray screened exterior, it appears like a shop more often found in Chicago or New York, a simple urban store along a busy corridor. Karadsheh has enjoyed it there and knows his customers well.

“I know what they smoke, what they drink, what they eat,” said the 66-year-old who opened the store 24 years ago with his wife, Mary.

A major customer base was the Morton House apartments, which were closed in August after operating 40 years under a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development contract. Saperstein Associates Corp., of Bingham Farms, sold the building to Rockford Construction in September.

Karadsheh said he has chosen not to sign a new short-term lease.

He said he’s always been unique in the area, and for some people, the only easily accessible place to grab cold medicine, groceries or toiletries.

“I’ve got everything in this little store,” he said.

He’s always operated without selling beer, wine or liquor and doesn’t accept credit cards.

Karadsheh, who lives in Kentwood, said he immigrated to Houston, Texas, from Jordan in 1969. He moved to Chicago in 1977, where he ran a supermarket, and moved to Grand Rapids in 1988.

He always has run the store with Mary. His four children helped when they were younger.”

“I like the city. I like the people here. It’s quiet, friendly,” he said. “The people keep us going. We treat them good. We are honest with them.”

Customer Ross Kraynak, 23, said the store is a twice-daily stop for him for fuel like Monster Energy Drinks.

“It’s a nice little refuge to find supplies when I work late,” said Kraynak, an accountant who commutes from Lansing for his job downtown.

Karadsheh plans to retire. Despite the busy afternoon, he said business has slowed.

“I don’t want to close. I love the business and people around me,” he said.

David Palmer, a former Morton House resident, said he’s grown to know the Karadshehs well.

“They are the nicest people I’ve ever met,” he said. “I’ll miss them dearly.”

E-mail the author of this story: localnews@grpress.com