After only two years in business, the owners of a Putnam County organic food store decided to close their doors and donate everything in stock, from produce to pet foods, to local charities.

The Organic Connection store billed itself as being 98-percent organic, and the store?s owner, Heather Flournoy, says the local community embraced her business from the start.

"There's very passionate and dedicated customers, but not quite big enough of an area to draw everyone to,? Flournoy says.

Customers who stopped by on Friday were shocked and saddened to find out Organic Connection is going out of business.

"From Dutchess County down, this is the only health food store in the area, and that's really disappointing,? says a customer, Ann Martel.

But thanks to an investor David Richard, the failure of the food store turned into a boon for Westchester charities.

"That was the idea, that we end the store with an act of social responsibility and social altruism,? Richards says. ?And while this venture didn't last, workers at the store tell us they are at least pleased that its closing will still do some good.?

Richard is no stranger to the organic food business. As a child he was often in the organic food store his father operated in a Chicago suburb.

Richard is now helping Organic Connection to pay off its vendors by buying the contents, and donating it to organizations like the Westchester Food Bank and For the Love of Animals, an Elmsford-based animal rescue group.

"It?s a sad thing that it?s going out of business, but in terms of giving to the community like this, it?s such a great help,? says Jamie Turell, of For the Love of Animals.