Jim Hamilton, owner of Miami Lakes Sports Shop, has forgotten what infamous South Florida traffic is like, considering that for the past four decades he and his wife Roslyn have enjoyed a morning and evening work commute that spans a few blocks. As merchants and residents of Miami Lakes, the Hamiltons don’t have to go very far to get to the places they need.
One of the longest lasting businesses in Miami Lakes, and one of less than a handful left of the original “openers” of Main Street, Miami Lakes Sports Shop continues to service the community, a feat Hamilton says is due to a combination of great customer service and adaptability. The shop has worked off a customer “want list” for years to ensure great customer satisfaction.
“One of the keys to still being around and still being successful is trying to adapt to what the customer needs. You can’t force products,” said Hamilton. “If your customers want a specific item, then that’s what should be carried. We have evolved with the community needs in our business.”
When Miami Lakes Sports Shop first opened in December of 1973, in a store whose aqua and orange walls and aqua astroturf flooring gave away the Hamilton’s favorite team, nearly half of their stock was golf equipment and the other half was tennis. As they years passed their inventory changed to reflect the rising sports in the community, merchandise they still carry today such as items for football, baseball, and basketball. The longstanding love for the Dolphins team, however, is unchanging. It was the Hamiltons’ love for sports that first sprouted the thought of owning a sports store.
“I had played sports in high school and started coaching for the Miami Lakes Optimist Club in the early 70’s,” said Hamilton. “One day Roslyn and I looked around and thought it strange that there were no sports shops in an area that was so involved with sports. So we decided to open that store.”
Neither having previous store owning experience, as Jim had worked for Exxon as a sales supervisor in Florida and Roslyn was an Eastern Airlines flight attendant, they both worked toward the successful plan of the store while still holding down their original jobs, seeing the store come to fruition within a few years.
“This was just a venture of passionate pursuit and the drive to become an entrepreneur,” said Hamilton, who was quick to point out that Roslyn “has been instrumental to the success of the store.”
With time came growth for the business, in revenue and size, to match their growing family. Miami Lakes Sports Shop moved from Cypress Village Shopping Center to Main Street and grew from 1000 square feet to 4000 and the Hamiltons also included their children, Maureen, James, and John in their family business as salespeople.
“It has been a great experience to be part of a young, growing and vibrant community that was, and continues to be, so involved in sports activities,” said Hamilton.
Today, Jim and Roslyn work with a flow that only comes from years of experience. Roslyn holds the fort in retail as Jim travels to schools and universities to cater to and meet sporting needs.
In addition to the regular inventory of licensed products for the big three teams, the Dolphins, Heat, and Marlins, the store also features embroidery options both on items bought in the store and those brought in. The store also takes orders for cheerleading shoes and attire, and girl scout uniforms, both which are unique to their store.
Miami Lakes Sports Shop is currently hosting sales on multiple items, including licensed items, until supplies last. For more information call the store at 305-557-0356 or visit 6763 Main Street.