A 127-year-old business in northern Iowa will close its doors within a year. Bailey Nurseries in Charles City, formerly known as Sherman Nursery, was established back in 1884. The decision to close the facility was announced to the staff last week.

Patrick Bailey, who is vice president of sales and marketing for the company, said the slowdown in the housing market means lower demand for plants used in landscaping. The Charles City location is Bailey’s only Iowa location while the company has other production facilities in Minnesota, Illinois and Oregon.

The current crop at Charles City will be harvested while another one will be planted for harvest in the fall of 2012 before the facility closes.

By Chris Berg, KCHA, Charles City