Management at a Belpre doll museum and store say the building is for sale... but not the business.

Early this week, passers-by at Middleton doll noticed a sign saying "Building For Sale By Owner" outside the Belpre business.

Operations Manager Charlotte Dolak has confirmed to us that Middleton is putting the building up for sale, but hopes to sell it to someone who will lease it back to them.

Ddolak says the planned transaction is intended to raise money to keep the business going...but adds Middleton intends to stay in business, even if it's in another location.

Middleton moved to Belpre in 1989... and operated a doll factory there until June, 2004, when production was moved to China.