POTSDAM — The village is losing another Market Street shop.

Our Greener Home, the environmentally conscious store formerly known as the Green House, will close with a party Saturday.

Viki A. Christensen, proprietor of the 45 Market St. store, said that sales are up, but she doesn't have time to mind the business anymore, especially since her husband and partner, Donald J., recently took a full-time position with Community Performance Series.

"A 40-hour-a-week job looks like a vacation now," Mrs. Christensen said. "It's been a good run."

Sales have tripled since this time last year, but the couple doesn't have enough money to hire extra help, Mrs. Christensen said, adding that she's worried about her health.

One person is interested in purchasing the store as is, while another would like to acquire the space. Either way, the Christensens are looking to move out by the end of the month.

Many customers have suggested that Our Greener Home merge operations with the Potsdam Food Co-op, but that's a decision that would have to be made by the co-op board, Mrs. Christensen said.

"It just lights us up, to see the way that we helped the community," she said, estimating that the store's sales of steel drink containers and fabric diapers alone saved 1,000 cases of plastic bottles and 20 tons of disposable diapers from local landfills.

Mrs. Christensen was quick to point out that even though many people seem to think the store is "another Wal-Mart casualty," the big-box retailer didn't cut into the green shop's business at all.

"I'm just tired," she said.

The Christensens bought the store from Nathan R. Tavares in May 2007.

The shop's selection of soy candles, organic beauty products, fair-trade clothing and natural cleaning and household products also was sold online via Amazon, eBay and the Our Greener Home Web site.

Earlier this year, they also built the Downtown Wellness Center inside the store, where alternative health specialists practiced reiki, iridology and massage therapy.