WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsThe Yapps retire after 40 years in Mt. Horeb

Small towns thrive on small mom and pop businesses.

Well, the small town of Mt. Horeb is about to lose one.

After 40 plus years in business, the Yapp's are closing their doors.

Wayne and Audrey Yapp are "Someone You Should Know."

The Yapps Tailoring and Antique Shops will take down this sign at the end of March. After more than 40 years here, a fixture in Mt. Horeb, Wayne and Audrey are retiring.

Wayne and Audrey have been through a lot in this historic building.

They have sold wicker baskets, leased space to antique dealers.

They even sold ice cream in they early 70's from this corner.

Along with the good memories, come the ones they'd like to forget.

A fire in 1986 gutted the interior.

The Yapps were watching a movie in their upstairs apartment when they smelled smoke.

"We got out of it and that's the main thing," says Audrey. "We ran out the door, people were running by yelling fire. Somebody called the fire department. They were here just like that."

While antiques have filled most of the building, the Yapps originally bought the space for Wayne.

After more than 60 years as a tailor, Wayne is hanging up his needle and thread.

Wayne's helped plenty of gentlemen look sharp through the years.

He still has some of his favorite pieces, that he made from scratch.

Wayne probably spent thousands of hours sitting at his old Singer sewing machine.

"I would say it was probably built about 1950," says Wayne.

Just like in the antique shop, you find treasures all over Wayne's work room.

As the final day to close up shop draws closer, it's hard for Wayne to let go of what he's poured his heart into for so many years.

"I don't like to be done tailoring, laughs," says Wayne.

Another part they will miss, the view from the third floor over Main Street. They could even see downtown Madison from there.

So, what's next for the Yapps?

They plan to relax and maybe even go dancing every now and again.

Email Diana Henry to nominate "Someone You Should Know" dhenry@wkowtv.com