Park won't try to replace historic Grand Canyon gift shop

[Source: Associated Press] -- The National Park Service says it won't try to find another company to run the historic Verkamp's Curios gift shop on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, ending a 100-year run for the family owned store. The Verkamp family decided not to bid to run the shop when the Park Service asked for proposals last year. The Park Service has decided not to seek other bidders and will find other uses for the building once they buy out the family's interest in the building. The family began selling trinkets out of a tent and built the shop in 1906, living there until the mid-1980s. Millions of visitors have bought curios, Indian blankets, baskets, pottery and other souvenirs at the site. It is set to close in September.