Before 8 a.m., members of The Breakfast Club are already standing outside of Cuzzins Bar on North Palmer Street. A line of people outside before the doors open isn’t unusual for Mel and Sharon Ardelean. The couple has owned and operated the local watering hole for the last 15 years.
But soon, The Breakfast Club — mostly local residents who have just gotten off of the night shift — will meet at Cuzzins for the last time. On Saturday, Nov. 28, the Ardeleans will be shutting down the bar for good and retiring. It’s the final step of the 15-year plan they started in 2000.
“I was 50 years old,” Mel Ardelean said. “Retirement looked pretty bleak. Pensions started disappearing. Job hopping was the way to get ahead.”
When the bar first opened, the marketing plan was simple: a country western bar in a country western town.
But the beloved bar had small beginnings. Because it was once a bar that was only open once a month during Bike Week, attracting customers to Cuzzins was harder than the Ardeleans had anticipated.
“For the first two weeks, almost no one came in,” Mel Ardelean said. “We thought, ‘Oh my God, what did we do?”
The Ardeleans took to the streets to garner attention for the bar. Mel Ardelean stood outside with bags and hats on his head, and Sharon Ardelean waved people into the bar. Eventually, customers started coming back — and bringing their friends.
“Once we started to roll a little bit, it became successful,” Mel Ardelean said. “It’s never too late. At 50 years old, we made the conscious decision to put in 15 years of hard work.”
WORKING HARD
For the entire 15 years that the Ardeleans owned and operated Cuzzins, Mel Ardelean kept an additional full-time job as a vice president at various advertising agencies.
“All the bar had to do was break even,” Mel Ardelean said.
Because Mel Ardelean worked multiple jobs, Sharon Ardelean was in charge of the bar. The Ardeleans worked seven days and seven nights per week, with the bar open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Even if someone else was covering the opening shift, the Ardeleans still only got about two or three hours of sleep every night.
Over the last 15 years, the Ardeleans have worked 20 shifts per week at Cuzzins. At one time, they also owned Big Dog’s Patio and Anna’s Silver Dollar Saloon.
“I’m definitely tired,” Sharon Ardelean said.
The hard work paid off. With three bars within walking distance in the Historic Downtown district, the Ardeleans have befriended nearly every stranger that’s walked into Cuzzins over the last 15 years. Every time a new person walked into Cuzzins, the Ardeleans would stop and introduce themselves. They were willing to lean over the bar and listen when any customer — newcomer or regular — needed to take a load off.
“A friendly country bar that treats people with respect and listens — that was a winning formula,” Mel Ardelean said. “This bar can compete with anybody here, and we have.”
With a friendly and inviting atmosphere, Cuzzins’ patrons have remained respectful over the years.
“We’ve hardly had any trouble,” Sharon Ardelean said. “I can’t remember the last time we had any trouble.”
“People know that this place is being watched,” Mel Ardelean said. “Couples and single women can come in and feel safe. That’s been a priority since day one.”
MOVING FORWARD
Though the bar has been hugely successful in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, the Ardeleans have faced their own series of troubles.
Sharon Ardelean fought a battle with cancer. The Ardeleans’ daughter, Misti Whitfield, disappeared in May 2013, and her remains were discovered in 2014.
On a white board outside of Cuzzins, a tribute to Whitfield is still posted.
“I want to take time to grieve my daughter,” Sharon Ardelean said.
As the Ardeleans begin the process of closing the bar, friends, regulars and strangers from over the years have reached out to share memories — the good, the bad and the nights they can’t always remember.
The Ardeleans are expecting a large turnout on closing night. The couple is thankful for everyone who has taken a seat on a barstool over the last 15 years.
“We’re expecting a good crowd,” Mel Ardelean said. “The bottom line … we want to thank loyal customers.”
The community also has expressed support for the bar in its last days. Big Dog’s Patio, located within walking distance from Cuzzins, will close Nov. 28 to support the Ardeleans on their final night.
“I think that’s pretty darn nice of them,” Sharon Ardelean said.
Though the bars are competitors, there’s a sense of family that comes from the three bars located just a block away from each other.
“I think there’s going to be a missing chunk here,” Mel Ardelean said. “It’s a chance for everyone to say goodbye. We want to spend time with everybody. We have a lot of dedicated customers.”
After the night of football and keg killing is over, the Ardeleans will ease into their retirement. Mel Ardelean is still working three days a week at the advertising agency. The Ardeleans plan to remain in Plant City and keep their lake home in Auburndale. Though they aren’t entirely sure what the future holds, one thing is certain.
“None of what we’re thinking of doing will involve alcohol,” Mel Ardelean said. “It will be non-alcohol related activities.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
Cuzzins Bar Closing Night
When: 7 p.m. to 2 a.m, Saturday, Nov. 28
Where: Cuzzins Bar, 111 S. Palmer St.
Attire: Gators or FSU pajamas in celebration of the UF vs. FSU game.
SHARE THE MEMORIES
Cuzzins patrons can share their favorite memories on the bar’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/Coyotees.Cuzzins