Editorial Note: This story has been updated since it was published.

Newsbeat, a business that some called Sacramento’s last newsstand, closed over the weekend, leaving an empty space in the popular MARRS Building.

“It’s a tragedy for our building. A tragedy,” said Pete Haynes, owner of the next-door Denim Spot. “They were a pillar of the Midtown and Sacramento community. We’ve definitely lost a piece of our culture.”

The independently owned Newsbeat, 1050 20th St., sold hard-to-find magazines and candies, greeting cards and a mix of other goods.

Terrence Lott, co-owner of the store, said that in comparison to his other Newsbeat location in Davis – which remains open – some of the “bread and butter” business never materialized, including sales of candy, cigarettes and cigars.

“The building is trafficked significantly, but we never had that kind of neighborhood destination,” he said.

He added that opening in the space took a big capital investment, and the building is one of the higher-rent places in Sacramento, and revenues didn’t recoup the costs.

Newsbeat was open in the MARRS building for four almost four years, and before that, it was at 10th and L streets for 16 years.

Lott didn’t rule out the possibility of opening another space sometime in the future, but said there are currently no plans.

“We’re just ind of taking a step back,” he said. “There’s a lot to figure out about the idea of selling print media.”

On the closing days, Lott said the community support was touching, with longtime customers stopping by, some bringing cookies and other baked goods.

“That was rewarding and reinforcing,” Lott said. “That makes you just believe in community.”

Mike Heller, property developer overseeing the MARRS Building, said in an email Monday that the business plan was not viable, and the general economy “contributed greatly” to the business’ closure.

He said he will now look to bring in another tenant for the building.

Haynes said business has slowed considerably on the block in the past year – and high rents with a much smaller Second Saturday Art Walk crowd have hurt all the businesses.

Valeri Simons, a 51-year-old who works at the nearby Headhunters bar and lounge, 1930 K St., echoed Haynes’ statements.

“It’s been pretty slow lately,” she said. “That’s terrible that they’re gone. I think it’s definitely a loss to the area.”

Simons added that she used to purchase cards at the store, since it was close and had a better selection than many of the larger chain stores.

Haynes said the business stocked items that simply weren’t available elsewhere.

“They were so unique, people came from all over because they knew they could find or quickly get access to magazines maybe you could only get in Europe,” he said.

Brian Crall, owner of the Sacramento Comedy Spot in the same building, said Newsbeat will be missed.

“It’s a great ma and pa store, but the economy is really tough,” he said.

Nicholas Avey, a 27-year-old freelance graphic designer from Midtown, said he went into Newsbeat a few times to buy postcards and magazines.

“It’s sad,” he said, adding that he doesn’t plan to make the drive to the Davis store.

Crall said that it was disconcerting to see the moving truck packing up the last of the store fixtures Monday night.

“It’s really upsetting to see when somebody goes out of business,” he said. “I’m an independent business owner myself. We do the best we can every single day, and it’s sad when you see somebody who has put so much of their life into it have to close down.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.