Virginia Jewelry Store Owner Protests Obama's Reelection By Closing For 'Mourning' Period (VIDEO)

WSET.com - ABC13

The owner of a jewelry store in Bedford, Va., made his displeasure with Tuesday's election results very public Wednesday, locking his doors and posting a statement saying the store was "Closed to mourn the loss of the America that our forefathers endowed to us."

R.T. Lyons, owner of Lyons Jewelers, told WDBJ that he was so sad he "just didn't feel like coming to work."

According to the news outlet, Lyons said he thinks Obama is undermining the principals of free enterprise. He also said he believes Obama will raise taxes on the wealthy -- his customer base.

Visit WDBJ to hear what R.T. Lyons had to say about his decision.

On the business' website, Lyons writes that when he founded the store in 1998, he did so "to offer something for everyone, be the farmer or the doctor, and to stand by his mission: 'Make you Happy.'"

"When you come into store, you will always be greeted with a smile and offered something cold to drink. Once you've been welcomed into the store, our staff will assist you with whatever you need."

The store's display, however, elicited frowns from many passersby Wednesday, including one individual who posted a sign in response. "I am sorry you feel this way," the sign read, "I do business I guess I will take it somewhere else!"

Many people stopped to take pictures of the signs, another of which read, "Shame on the U.S.A. and Virginia," WSET reports.

Lyons customer Lisa Martin told WSET that she would continue to shop with the jeweler.

"We love them they have great service, and we hope that they will continue to stay open," Martin said. "People can make their own choice about whether to go in or not. But he has the right to you know, actually make his statement."