For Edward Dodson, it was not a typical day at work at his business on Broad Street in Fairburn.

The owner of Dodson Farm & Lawn Equipment was met on his arrival at work Saturday by a host of family, friends and well-wishers that had gathered to be present for the final week of business before the store closes and, more importantly, to celebrate Dodson's retirement and his decades-long contribution to the community.

There was plenty of talk and laughter and congratulations heard around the showroom floor, with ham and cheese croissants and other tasty itmes scattered among the lawnmowers.

Among those present was Mayor Betty Hannah, who arrived with a proclamation citing April 30, 2005 as Ed Dodson Day in Fairburn. Hannah said Dodson's contributions to the Fairburn community was clear reason for the proclamation.

"He's been a local businessman for almost 45 years and he's been a good community person, helping with things like Little League," she said. "And he's been a quiet leader, someone that works behind the scenes. He's meant a lot to the community."

A former Delta employee, Dodson opened the Fairburn Auto Exchange in 1960. In 1985, he moved to the current Broad Street location and changed the name of the business to Dodson Farm & Lawn Equipment.

Still feeling the ache from a recent back injury, Dodson was happy, almost playfully so, as he reflected back over the years when asked how he felt about closing the business after more than four decades of operation.

"You're open six days a week for so many years," he said smiling, with a gleam in his eyes. "When you get to the point where you don't want to open the doors, that's the time to sell it. But I've enjoyed it."