The beads are separated by color into jars and bags. But when there are billions of them collected over a 40-year span, moving them seems like a daunting task. But Carl Carlock, owner of The Bead Shop at 2476 Times Boulevard, can't wait for moving day to come.

"I'm excited. I'm enjoying it," Carlock said. He is in the process of moving his store to a building he owns in the Artigiani Center in the 2400 block of Shepherd. Rising rent costs, gradual loss of business and the fall of the economy in recent years have all had their hands in Carlock's decision to move, he said.

But he won't be on unfamiliar territory. In the 1980s, Carlock opened a second location of The Bead Shop in the same Artigiani Center building he is now moving into. He had closed it in the '90s in order to concentrate on the original location.

The relocation means Carlock will lose 600 feet of retail space, but a second building on the premises will offer an expansion to his jewelry repair services as well as the chance for his business to host jewelry-making classes. ​ The loss of space also means that the 350 bowling balls in the store's window will not be making the move. Some are being donated to Rice University's science department for use as nuclei in atom models; the rest are being given to customers. Carlock anticipates The Bead Shop's loyal customers, some from all over Texas, will follow him to the new location. However, he is a little worried that moving away from a more central location may cost him international customers who are exploring the area.

The Times Boulevard location will close Saturday, September 3; the Shepherd location will open Tuesday, September 6.