MADISON, S.D. (KELO) — A Madison restaurant has decided to close its doors. After being open for nearly 50 years, Monday is the last day for Nicky’s Restaurant and Lounge.

The restaurant has been serving customers since 1975.

“It’s just such a community gathering place. I mean, we look around and see familiar faces at nearly every table, and it’s where you see your friends. If you don’t see them downtown, you see them at Nicky’s,” longtime customer Maxine Swanson said.

Drew and Carol Skinner bought the restaurant in 1981.

“We give really good service. That’s kind of what we pride it on and putting in good food, so it all falls in place,” Nicky’s co-owner Drew Skinner said.

And after more than 40 years of ownership, the Skinners have chosen to close up shop.

“We’ve just decided that we’re at retirement age, and we’re just ready to get out of the restaurant business,” Carol Skinner said.

“It’s kind of bittersweet. It’s tough to do, but time is time,” Drew Skinner said.

Nicky’s holds a special place in its customers’ hearts.

“Nicky’s has been very important to us because our son and daughter both had their wedding receptions here in their banquet room,” longtime customer Trudi Nelson said.

“I will miss this place greatly. Walking in the back door today, this is the last time. I’ve said that for the past ten days, I’ve come, I think, every day, and it’s ‘Oh, is this the last time I’ll ever come in again?’ But that feeling of finality is just very bittersweet,” Swanson said.

But it will be tough for the Skinners to end this chapter of their lives.

“I love to work, and I’m going to miss getting up in the morning and coming to work,” Carol Skinner said.

The customers we talked to also said they will miss a couple of Nicky’s signature dishes like the beer cheese soup and the sour cream raisin pie. Nicky’s will be serving from 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 Monday night.