Cheryl Daly, who bought the Raleigh business two years ago, said business had been hurt by competition from big-box retailers. But she also blamed the slowing economy and severe weather.

"The real nail in the coffin was the drought and water restrictions," she said. "When people can't water their plants, they don't plant them."

Buchanan's is representative of a larger trend in the garden and nursery industry, which accounted for about $15 billion in sales in 2003, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. North Carolina produces 9 percent of the country's nursery crops.

Ron Gelvin, CEO of the N.C. Association of Nurserymen, said smaller garden centers such as Buchanan's have been under increasing pressure since the drought of 2002. Gelvin said that that drought cost the state about 400 nursery jobs, and cost wholesale growers in the state $250 million, or about a quarter of their sales in 2002.

"Smaller nurseries are often undercapitalized, haven't made improvements to keep up with the big chains, and don't do promotions to let people know they are there," he said.

Buchanan's, at 5108 Western Blvd. in Raleigh, will begin its going-out-of-business sale this weekend.

Daly said she expects to close before the end of the month.

At another Triangle nursery, Family Home and Garden Center at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh near N.C. State's Centennial campus, is also having a big sale. However, it is not a going-out-of-business sale -- yet.

Co-owner Ronnie Horne said Family Home and Garden Center is negotiating a new lease with the State Farmers Market because its old one ends in February. Horne said the company hasn't yet decided if it will stay or leave, but will probably make a decision in the next month or so.

Women's boutique Galatea is leaving Raleigh's Cameron Village after nine years. In February, it will move just a few miles down the road to Seaboard Station.

Seaboard is the series of warehouses off Peace Street in downtown Raleigh that is being redeveloped into a retail center. Developers have been looking for a mix of tenants.

Galatea owner Cheryl Fraser said her new space is bigger and more unique.

"You can be more creative than when you just have a box," she said. "With the tall ceilings, it will feel more open and airy. We'll also have a bigger back room and [plan to] expand some of our product lines."

Galatea is moving out of its Cameron Village spot at the end of the month and will temporarily move across the street to the old Home Economics store. Then in February, Fraser plans to complete the move to 10 Franklin St., across from Logan's garden center.

The Galatea spot in Cameron Village will become Ella Ann Boutique, a specialty-clothing shop opening its second store. Its first is on Main Street in downtown Fuquay-Varina.