An air of sadness hung about Le Petit Paris Wednesday after the owners announced they will close late this month.

The boutique and Parisian cafe has brought a bit of France to Midtown for the last five years, but it's been struggling for at least two. Owners Tassina Placencia and her husband Ruben plan to close the family business at 1221 19th St. on Sept. 26.

The economy and fewer customers — including state workers making less money because they're furloughed many Fridays — have contributed to the problem, Tassina Placencia said Wednesday afternoon.

"It's not what it was," she said during a break from serving customers who lined up at the counter. "No one's buying coffee anymore. You have furloughs two blocks away."

The couple has been running the business themselves for the last two years. They sold everything from French milled soaps, handbags and baby clothes to fresh-baked croissants, tartine sandwiches and macarons.

More than one set of eyes glistened with tears Wednesday inside the Euro shabby-chic space, where patrons sipped coffee or tea while sitting at metal bistro tables and on overstuffed Victorian furniture.

Regulars like Harv's Car Wash owner Aaron Zeff and real estate agent Bridget Davis said they were shocked to arrive there Wednesday, only to find the business is closing.

Now Midtown residents, the Placencias have been active supporters of the neighborhood and especially the Handle District where the shop is located. Last year, Tassina Placencia organized a night parade just before Christmas — the city’s first electric light parade in more than a century — to add some fun and draw holiday business.

Midtown resident Carole Arbuckle said she'll miss being able to just sit and relax at Le Petit Paris, the same way she did on a favorite trip to the French city.

"It's been such a nice place to come, especially if you've been to Paris," she said.

Even working seven days a week, the Placencias haven't been able to make enough money to continue with a lease that's ending this month. Two weeks ago, Ruben went back to a full-time job as a rocket tester at Aerojet.

“Her dream was Le Petit,” he said. “My dream was to make her happy.”

Their 8-year-old daughter, Bella, has spent many hours at the shop as well. They said they will miss their customers, but chose not to put any more money into the business, she said.

"There are so many times you think it's going to get better," Tassina Placencia said. "But you have to do the right thing for your business and your family."

"We're at peace with it," she said.