POST FALLS - Anderson Iron Works has had a decorated past.

After 43 years, the maker of ornamental iron, railings, spiral stairs and other custom iron products that are visible throughout the community will close its doors on Monday.

Owners Norm and Bonnie Anderson are retiring, marking an end to one of Post Falls' oldest businesses.

"We tried to quit three years ago, but had a hard time doing it," the 74-year-old Norm said softly. "My employees have been so good."

Anderson's work is spread throughout the region, including on the entrance sign to The Coeur d'Alene Resort, Silverwood Theme Park, the flower baskets on Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d'Alene, the elaborate "Amway" house on the Spokane River in Post Falls, the "Extreme Makeover" home near Sandpoint, restrooms at Coeur d'Alene parks, Post Falls' entrance waterfall features and at numerous homes.

"It's been a personalized business," Norm said.

Custom railings and spiral stairs - the company has made about 800 of them - have been the best sellers.

When Norm and Bonnie first opened their shop in Huetter in 1969 after moving here from Minnesota, the business was on a 10-party telephone line.

Ten years later, the business moved to the green Quonset between Seltice Way and Interstate 90 where it has been for the past 33 years.

Through the years, Anderson carved a local niche for ornamental iron projects that had largely been served by Spokane firms years ago.

"My husband is an artist," Bonnie said with a wide smile.

Norm added to his wife of 52 years: "I don't call it that; I'm just a craftsman."

Anderson also built a reputation in which employees stayed and two generations of family members played.

The company never got big. It generally had five or so employees because quality precision craftsmen were hard to find.

But workers stuck around, including Al Sims for 39 years and Daren Nelson 24 years, which the Andersons are proud of.

The company won a national American Legion award and a trip to Nashville for the group's convention in 2004 for employing veterans. Norm served in the Army National Guard and Reserve himself.

"They're just good, hard-working, disciplined and honest people," Norm said of vets.

If there's a handing off of the Anderson Iron Works baton, Norm said, unofficially it's Scott Johnson of Johnson Custom Iron in Rathdrum, another longtime employee of Anderson's.

"I've lined him up," said Norm, adding that he'll still tinker with iron for family and friends in retirement.

But no one was found to take over Anderson Iron Works itself.

"With custom work and the name on our business, it was hard to sell it," Norm said. "One guy was going to take over, but he never came up with the money."

But don't count out Norm's family tree from sprouting up in the trade in the future. His 11-year-old grandson, James Hohenstreet, found a liking around the shop.

"He's in Seventh Heaven helping papa clean shop and work on hand rails," James' father Seth said.

Family has always been a major part of the business. The Andersons' daughters - Lisa, Amy and Beth - grew up playing around the shop and later worked there. Recent years have been the grandkids' turn to toss nuts and bolts in the can and get a glimpse of the trade.

Anderson, along the building industry's side, rode the economy's ups and downs over the years, but was never on the verge of closing, Bonnie said.

"The (latest) recession hit the builders harder than it hit us because private individuals were still buying," she said.

The company has sponsored many community events, including some hosted by Post Falls Parks and Recreation, Shriners and the Post Falls School District, and has been recognized for longtime membership to the North Idaho Building Contractors Association, Post Falls Chamber of Commerce and the National Ornamental Miscellaneous Metals Association.

"They are really special folks, low key, but always there to help when needed," Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin said. "Anderson Iron Works has truly left its signature on many projects."

The company's closure, chamber CEO Pam Houser is bittersweet.

"We are always sad to see a business close, but we are thrilled to see hardworking folks enjoy retirement," she said.

And that's how Bonnie reminds Norm to look at the end of an era.

"I tell him that this has been a good life, but what's coming up is even better," she said. "We'll get to spend more time with grandchildren, travel and to be at our place on Lake Cocolalla."