Paulette Ferland (left) of Concord stops by Whims, a downtown Concord antique shop, as co-owner Dana Merrill closes down the business on Thursday, April 20, 2017. “I’m going to miss these guys,” said Ferland, a frequent visitor and customer. (ELIZABETH FRANTZ / Monitor staff)
Paulette Ferland (left) of Concord stops by Whims, a downtown Concord antique shop, as co-owner Dana Merrill closes down the business on Thursday, April 20, 2017. “I’m going to miss these guys,” said Ferland, a frequent visitor and customer. (ELIZABETH FRANTZ / Monitor staff)

Business was good, but a joint business venture has come to an end, and Whims in downtown Concord has closed. The antique shop ended sales in April, with all but one drop-front secretary desk spoken for. Co-owner Dana Merrill, 51, will be taking the piece home with him before setting out for a six-month, 49-country trip around the world. Since the end of sales, Merrill has been giving away the remaining items in the shop, closing down operations and saying goodbyes to customers like Paulette Ferland of Concord.