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TAMPA — Joe Haskins wished to retire.
“He was months into attempting,” spouse Michelle Calonge-Haskins stated. “I want he would have so we may have spent extra time collectively.”
Earlier than they may, he died at 79 on March 21, 2021.
That’s why she is aware of Haskins would approve of the household’s choice to shutter Joe Haskins Bicycle Store, which he had owned since 1960.
Calonge-Haskins’ daughter, Brittany Calonge, has been operating the enterprise at 2310 N Florida Ave. since he died. However she wants assist. The answer could be for Calonge-Haskins to return out of retirement to help with bike gross sales and repairs.
“He wouldn’t need that,” Calonge-Haskins stated. “He would need me to remain retired. Folks instructed us to not make any choices in the course of the first yr after he died. So, we thought we may proceed to run the enterprise, however we determined closing is the perfect choice for us.”
She’s been again within the store just lately, however solely to say goodbye to clients.
Joe Haskins Bicycle Store’s last day is Dec. 17.
“Prospects are in fact upset,” Calonge-Haskins stated. “Additionally they settle for that instances change. But it surely’s been round for a very long time.”
Since 1916, in keeping with an indication painted on the facet of its constructing, making it the oldest bike store in Tampa. Joe Haskins Bike Store was initially named Tampa Cycle Firm and owned by Haskins’ uncle, Anthony Arduengo.
Calonge-Haskins just lately discovered the primary receipt Haskins signed as proprietor. “Could 27, 1960,” she stated.
Haskins stored the enterprise’ authentic title by way of no less than 1979, in keeping with information archives. Newspapers first establish it as Joe Haskins Bicycle Store in 1981.
“They went from downtown on Florida Avenue to Franklin Road, from Franklin Road to Tampa Road, after which from Tampa Road to this location,” Calonge-Haskins stated.
She met Haskins on the Tampa Road location in 1978.
“I lived throughout from it,” Calonge-Haskins stated. “I went over there to get a 25-cent soda and had my 11- month-old son in my arms.”
Haskins’ spouse on the time, Dorothy Haskins, requested to carry the newborn and for Calonge-Haskins to convey him again as typically as doable.
“I did, after which someday she says I ought to begin working there,” Calonge-Haskins stated. “I’d go in each occasionally, then went full time, after which went to work for the county for 20 years however would nonetheless go in on Saturdays.”
Dorothy Haskins died in 2011. A yr later, Haskins and Calonge-Haskins married.
“Joe received sick with colon most cancers. I received recognized with Degos, which is a uncommon deadly illness,” she stated. “We have been greatest associates and determined that we’d get married and care for one another. He died hugging me on the hospital.”
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Attributable to diabetes, Haskins wanted dialysis thrice every week in his last years, Calonge-Haskins stated. He was on the store when therapy was completed.
“It took all the things he had simply to perform,” she stated. “However he was so devoted to this place.”
At age 6, Haskins lied about his age to get a paper route to assist help his household. His first spouse had six children from a earlier marriage.
“He adopted all of them,” Calonge-Haskins stated. “He purchased each one in every of them a automotive, put braces on their tooth, put them by way of personal college. He was an actual go-getter and beloved all of them. They have been his children.”
There have been a couple of instances that Haskins got here near promoting the enterprise.
“However then he’d at all times say that if we do, we are able to’t get it again,” Calonge-Haskins stated.
So, he as an alternative ready Calonge-Haskins’ daughter to take it over.
“He hoped it might nonetheless be capable to financially care for her and me,” Calonge-Haskins stated. “After which, down the street, she may select what she wished to do with it.”
Enterprise remains to be good: On a latest Saturday, Calonge-Haskins stated, they’d greater than 100 clients. However her daughter desires to attempt different ventures.
“Now we have fantastic clients who we’ll miss,” Calonge-Haskins stated. “However it’s time to transfer on.”
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