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The owners of Madison Dry Goods Co. bill their 14-year-old establishment as “the only store of its kind in the Piedmont.”

Soon, some other business can make that claim.

Richard and Kathy Miller plan to close their Murphy Street business — a nostalgic mix of clothing emporium, museum and country store — by June 1.

The Millers say the move has nothing to do with the economy, but rather the demands of running a retail business.

“We feel like we are going out on top,” said Richard Miller, 63. “We are not going to retire; we are just going to change directions.”

Instead of working six and seven days a week, Miller says he plans to open an events center called Woodburn Square in the building next door. It will host wedding receptions, plays and other events.

Miller also plans to maintain the name Madison Dry Goods as a wholesale operation selling private label sweatshirts and T-shirts under the name Dan River Expedition Co.

But the Madison Dry Goods retail business and the Dry Goods Museum & Country Store, which occupies the 101-year-old building’s second floor, will be no more.

“Most people are just kind of in a state of shock,” said Jerri Waldruff, a regular customer. “At least he is not going to leave town. That is a plus.”

Over the years, the Millers turned Madison Dry Goods into a Rockingham County destination. Their operation has attracted visitors from all 50 states and eight countries.

People came to buy casual and outdoor clothing at discount prices, crunch on a free apple from a barrel by the door, walk across the creaky oak floors, listen to the 25-cent player piano, gaze at display cases and shelves stacked with collectibles, watch the Millers operate their 1925 cash register and just soak up the atmosphere.

“You walk in the building and you feel like you have stepped back in time,” Waldruff said. “It’s such a good feeling of a happier, slower paced life.”

Four years ago, the Millers added to the draw by converting part of the building’s second floor into a museum that highlights the town’s past and a country store where the couple can show off some of the items they have collected over the years.

“I just think we offer something a little bit different,” Miller said of the combination. “There’s a lot to absorb.”

Last fall, the building became even more of a draw when the Dan River Coffee House & Deli opened in a corner of the first floor, offering breakfast lunch and dinner and jazz, blues and folk music on Friday and Saturday nights.

When Madison Dry Goods closes, the restaurant will expand into the vacant space.

“We have been blessed with exceptional customers,” said Kathy Hawkins, who runs the coffeehouse. “Many times at lunch, we don’t have enough seats for the people that want to come and eat.”

Hawkins says she’s glad to have room to expand but knows the dry goods store will be missed.

And Miller knows he and his wife will miss serving their customers.

“We have gotten a lot of attention for doing something that we really like doing,” he said. “That has been our passion.”

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com