COLUMBUS, Ohio — Black Art Plus, a Black-owned art store that has spent four decades sharing Black history and culture through artwork and collectibles, is preparing to close its doors. The store’s final day is Saturday, Sept. 19. Owner George Miller, who is 93, operated Black Art Plus from the same Parsons Avenue building for 40 years. Miller said the closure was driven in large part by the loss of the building, rather than a decision he made entirely on his own. He is exploring whether the store’s work could continue in another location or through a different kind of venue, but he also acknowledged that a new arrangement could be less demanding at this stage of his life. The store grew out of an experience Miller had after retiring from an earlier career. During a visit to California, he encountered a shop focused on Black art and was inspired to create something similar in Columbus. Over the years, Black Art Plus amassed hundreds of paintings, books, figurines, collectibles and other items connected to Black history and culture. Miller viewed the merchandise as more than retail: He saw the art as a way to carry stories across generations. “When this first started, the art was a messenger, and it continues to be a messenger,” Miller said. The shop also became a place where artists could display and sell their work. Miller said artists began contacting him one after another because they were looking for someone to represent their pieces. As word spread about the impending closure, customers filled the store. Some came to buy one final item, while others stopped in to thank Miller for maintaining a cultural space in Columbus for so long. Miller said many visitors have a personal connection to the store, making the final days emotionally difficult but rewarding. He encouraged people to visit Saturday and take home something that will remind them of Black Art Plus and its role in the community.