INDIANAPOLIS -- Customers were treated to free baked goods at a downtown lunchtime landmark on Tuesday as Crawford's Bakery and Deli prepared to close its doors for good.

The owners of the 21-year-old Indianapolis eatery at 16th Street and Capitol Avenue spent the morning greeting longtime customers, handing out hugs and free treats, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

"This just shows that we actually meant something to these people as much as they meant to us," said Rick Crawford. "If you're going to close, why not leave on a high note?"

Crawford said the decision to close the longtime downtown location came after the business' rent went from $60,000 a year to $120,000 a year. Renewing the contract would also have meant committing to a 10-year lease.

"It just made it economically unfeasible to do it. And small business is small. We don't have any bailout packages or anything else," he said.

The family will continue its wholesale bakery production business on Indianapolis' northwest side, which distributes items to 40 states. All of its downtown employees will be transferred to that location.

But for many people who work downtown, the absent eatery will be a big loss.

"It's sad. What I miss is the mom and pop kind of thing," said customer Jon Parker.

The building that Crawford's will leave behind is a historic structure and can't be torn down. It's not yet known what business will take over the space.