Iconic building in Lincoln County set to close its doors - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

Jim Peterson and his friends have done the same thing, almost every morning, for 20 years.

"It's just something to do," Peterson says to his buddies as they sit in a circle in the back corner of Caylor's Corners in Merrill.

Every morning, rain or shine, the group gathers at the iconic Lincoln County building for a cup of coffee, and a laugh. 

"We just have to catch up on the gossip," Ron Vachavake says between sips.

But, that's all about to change. At the end of the year, Caylor's Corners is going out of business. The owners, Tim and Donna Caylor are retiring.

"There have been different gangs, different people coming in lately," Tim Caylor says. "You always have to say your final farewell."

The family business first started in 1937 as a grocery store. Almost fifty years ago, Tim Caylor took the business over and turned it into a retail store. But, that all happened by accident.

"We got a shipment of hunting gear that we weren't supposed to get," Caylor explained. "I put it on the shelves and it was gone within days. That's when I said, we're in the wrong business, and we switched."

Since then, Caylor's Corners has outfitted hunters and outdoors men from all over the state. Throughout that time they've made a lot of memories. And that has made it that much harder to shut the doors.

"You wonder where they're going to get some of this stuff," Donna Caylor said.

But, the thought of retirement is welcome.

"You can't just take a week off when you own a business, it will be nice to relax," Donna said.

So, as time winds down, Jim Peterson and his friends plan to make the most of these final few weeks. Each one enjoying their last cups of coffee, and saying their final farewells to the place they love.

"See ya later buddy," Tim Caylor says as his customers, and friends, walk out the door.

"Bye, bye," they answer back.

And while it might be goodbye to the building, it is not goodbye to the friendships they've made throughout the years.