By ALEXANDRA NEWMAN

Most everyone who came to town Wednesday came to shop at Ben Franklin. Wednesday was the beginning of the end of one of the most popular stores in town.

Approximately 300 people stormed the doors at 9 a.m. and were still waiting in line with their purchases at 10:30 a.m. Even though they were there for the 20 percent-off purchases, they were lamenting the closing.

"I'm just sick," began Dorothy Meyers, of Jackson Twp., who recalled shopping at the original Baur's Ben Franklin which was on Calumet Rd. now occupied by Wings and Things.

"I could find everything I wanted and got special help finding what I needed," Meyers continued. A quilter, she left the Duneland area for a few years and when she returned, she said she was happy that one of her favorite stores was still here. Unfortunately, that will change.

"We don't want to see it go," said John Rothenberger, of Liberty Twp., who waited in line with display boards, pipe cleaners, and other items to make Sesame Street characters. His wife, an aid for the Duneland Schools had to be in school, so he was gathering the treasures for her.

"They offered what others didn't," chimed-in Diane Justice, of Westville. Justice, a tole painter, said she always could find supplies here that couldn't be found elsewhere.

"I came in to pick up a framed painting for my grandson, Olaf," said Delores Rudnick, of Liberty Twp. "I was here Saturday for a birdcage and silk plant leaves and thought I'd better also get a few more of the same plant leaves," she added.

"I'm very sad," began Tami Bianco, of Chesterton, carrying a basket and filling it with items she will give her children for Easter. "I came in after aerobics, and didn't realize how crowded it would be. "I'm worried about what will happen to the building," she said.

"Everybody loves a bargain," began Martin Papke, an owner of Kathy's Antiques, whose arms were filled with flowers he will use for arrangements at his shop. "Frank's closed in Michigan City, and I'm not a fan of Hobby Lobby...It's a dying breed," he said of the independent shop owners. "I guess I'll have to go to Merrillville."

Tammy McGuire's arms were filled with items she had gathered for the Exchange Club. When she found out she had been waiting in line for 45 minutes and realized it would be at least another half hour before she reached the cash register, she said she would have to leave without a purchase, she had an appointment. This was not the place to be unless you had unlimited time to spend.

"I came to see what they had," said Dave Thomas, a Valparaiso woodcrafter. "I walked in and saw about 100 people in line for the cash register, and left."

"I was here at 9 a.m. and still didn't get inside in time to get the yellow cabinet, I've been wanting," said Marge Crawford, a Chesterton artist. "I hate to see them go, it was the place right here that you could go to pick up art supplies. Its closing is a great loss to the community."