By Kathryn Skelton,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – Paul Rodrigue is closing his jewelry store.

It was a tough decision, Rodrigue said Tuesday. He’s undergone five months of chemotherapy for throat cancer and, right now, feels great. But when doctors told him to expect radiation treatment to zap his energy, he figured he couldn’t run Paul Rodrigue Jewelers anymore.

The business opened in 1994.

The Lewiston Mall shop will stay open until it’s out of inventory. He’s cut prices 40 to 60 percent to move the stock of diamonds, colored stones, glass figures, gold chains and pearls.

As a kid, Rodrigue said he was fascinated by his great-uncle’s shop, Baribault Jewelers. Instead of going to college when he turned 18, he went to watchmaking school like his great-uncle Bob.

Rodrigue said he learned more about the jewelry trade on the job at Value House and later worked at Carlyle & Co. jewelers for 12 years, from the day it opened to the day it closed.

“I’ve had customers that I’ve had for 20 years, since Carlyle & Co. I’m doing business with the kids of people who came in and got (rings to get) engaged. It’s kind of cool to be doing many generations,” he said. As customers have learned he was sick, “They’ve been relating their stories. That’s really encouraging. I didn’t realize how many people are cancer survivors.”

Doctors told him they caught his cancer early and that he can anticipate a complete recovery.

His business has five employees. Rodrigue said he’ll keep his workbench, showcases and tools, and keep paying the rent on the mall space. He hasn’t ruled out reopening.

“As I feel better, we’ll see what we’ll see,” he said.