The sudden closing this month of Conyers Family Practice after nearly 50 years of treating patients on Main Street is proof that even the medical field is not immune to a weak economy.

Employees were told on Oct. 5 that the practice would be closing its doors for good at the end of business that day.

According to Ann Parry, who was the office manager for 39 years, the out-of-town owner simply told the staff it was a "business decision" to immediately close the office.

"It really is the end of a dynasty," Parry said of the practice opened by Dr. William Futch in a grand historic house at 1080 Greene Street in the 1960s. Parry was already headed towards retirement and is the sole employee remaining through the end of October for patients to pickup medical records.

Parry said most days, the walk-in practice treated around 30 patients, many who are members of families which have been receiving medical care at Conyers Family Practice for generations. By law, records have to be stored for 10 years and then shredded, meaning many of the thousands of files stored throughout the two-story building will be placed in a secure storage facility.

"I want the patients to come in to get their records," a somber Parry said Thursday. Patients can call the office at (770) 483-4951 for information on obtaining records via fax or in person.

Parry declined to name the owner of the practice, who she said is not a doctor and does not own any other doctors offices. The building, which was once a house, is currently for sale.