Owner Angie Braun said it’s hard to pinpoint when the business first opened but has found a phone number dating back to 1957.

An older woman came in one day and told Braun that she purchased her wedding gown at the store in February 1958.

“We’ve helped a lot of weddings in 60 years, even generations of brides,” she said.

Braun, 45, bought the downtown business and building 10 years ago but has been involved with the store for many years.

“My mother had worked here and I had modeled for the store since I was 14,” she said. “I just thought it was an opportunity I would enjoy.”

The decision to close came a few weeks ago.

“The timing is right,” Braun said. “I have several other businesses that require a lot of my time. I think it’s time for a change.”

In addition to the shop, she owns Crazy H Distributing — VeRus Pet Foods and Reflection Perfection Auto Detailing.

Braun has the building, 21 Second St. N.E., listed for sale but isn’t necessarily willing to sell.

“I want to keep it to retail the dog food out of here,” she said. “If I get the right price, I might sell it.”

Braun has more than 300 wedding gowns in stock, a few hundred bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses, shoes, veils, tiaras and bachelorette items. Eventually the fixtures will be sold as well.

“It is bittersweet but I’m getting out while it’s still good,” she said.

The store holds many memories for her, especially entire bridal parties huddled in the large dressing room, giving their two cents worth while the bride-to-be modeled dress after dress on the mirrored stage.

“We’re a small store so we could focus on the individual, and I have several brides I think back on who traveled quite a distance to come to my store,” Braun said. “They would flat-out tell me they could have gotten a similar dress closer but they valued our customer service. That means a lot.”

The closing sale begins Thursday. Braun will begin at 50 percent off and continue from there.

Formalities will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until her stock is mostly sold out.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2016