MUSCATINE, Iowa — Charlie Harper, owner of Harper's Cycling and Fitness, is celebrating 50 years in business on October 1 of this year.
The Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GMCCI) held its monthly Business After Hours event at Harper's Cycling and Fitness on Thursday, commemorating the business's achievements.
Janet Morrow, the director of membership and marketing at GMCCI said that businesses like Harper's Cycling and Fitness should be celebrated, especially because they give back to the community.
"Any time that a small business, a family-run business celebrates a milestone like this, the community should cheer that," she said.
Harper purchased Zeug Garage and Cycle Shop in 1966, and the business was located at 111 Chestnut St. in downtown Muscatine. Harper said he was not expecting his business to continue for 50 years.
"I didn't think I'd do it that long," he said.
In 1974, Harper's Cycling and Fitness moved to its current location at 1106 Grandview Ave. One of the bicycle business fluctuations occurred right after the move, Harper said.
"The bicycle boom quit the week I moved," he said.
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