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After More Than A Century, George The Tailor Calling It Quits

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- "George the Tailor" has served customers on Potomac Avenue since 1936.

"My uncle Louie, my dad and me, we all worked on putting the pipes up and making it look nice," owner George Mesina says.

He says his grandfather, George, started the business more than a century ago.

His father, George, followed. But 84-year-old George the third is calling it quits. He says he started pressing clothes when he was eight-years old.

"All you do is press a button right there, and the head comes down," he says, demonstrating a machine that might now be considered antique.

He's not taking any new business. He just wants customers to pick up their clothes before he closes at the end of the year.

"It's crazy," he says. "How could you forget your clothes?"

But many do. He's found suits dating back to the '40s.

Old friends stop by from time to time, to say hello - and goodbye.

"He's been here since dirt was invented, and it's going to be a loss to the community," laments longtime friend Ross Matlack.

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