COEUR d'ALENE - Merit Boardshop, in Coeur d'Alene, is closing after almost four years in business, the owners said.

"We started the shop as an outreach to youth, to be a community board shop," said Kameron Shadrick, who owns the shop with her husband, Jason.

The couple have been leasing about 1,400 square feet of floor space for the shop at 180 E. Neider Ave., across from Costco. They have had three part-time employees.

She said it has been a strain for her husband to maintain another job while also working at their shop, which opened in July 2007.

She said the business also has lost some sales from competitors like Zumiez, which has been operating at Village at Riverstone. There has been heavy competition from online businesses.

Shadrick said the store currently has about half of its typical level of inventory of snowboards, skateboards, clothing, sunglasses and shoes.

The Shadricks are going to stay open until they liquidate the remaining inventory, she said. Most of the store's merchandise is 50 percent to 75 percent off.

They also plan to sell fixtures, computer equipment and other items used to operate the store, she said.

She said they expect to be closed in a few weeks.

"It's been such a blessing to be a part of this community," she said. "Our whole thing was showing how board sports can be a positive outlet for kids."