The Village Secretary, a business operated on Main Street in Gloucester Court House since 1979, will close its doors for good on Jan. 31.

Owner Judy Brabrand of Gloucester said she plans to retire from working full-time. Brabrand said she plans to do some typing for a fee at her residence and also might seek other part-time work later.

Brabrand bought The Village Secretary in December 1984 from Joanne Pointer of Gloucester. The business, once located elsewhere, has been at the Village Trade Center since August 1985.

Brabrand has been assisted through the years by her husband Charles. Although The Village Secretary will close, Charles Brabrand will continue to operate Village Clock Repair part-time from their residence.

Brabrand said The Village Secretary offered message service in the days before most people had answering machines, voicemail and cell phones, had one of the first public facsimile machines in Gloucester, and provided other secretarial support services such as ...