By CRAIG FREILICH

POTSDAM -- The Bicknell Corporation is adding wood stoves, swimming pools and spas to their retail operations with the acquisition of SummerHaven on the Potsdam-Norwood Road.

SummerHaven owner Rick Washik says it is time for him to leave retail business and maybe put down on paper the novel he’s been working on in his head.

Bicknell Corporation is parent organization to Bicknell Building Supply on Rt. 11 at the Morley Road cutoff, Bicknell TV and Appliance on Rt. 11 between Potsdam and Canton, and St. Lawrence Supply on Madrid Road in Potsdam.

“This complements very well what we sell now: building supplies, remodeling, and so on,” said Bicknell Corporation Vice President Rob Bicknell. “This will give us a little bit more variety. It helps us.”

Washik says he figures he has reached retirement age.

The former Double Axel drummer and Northern Music employee (before it became Northern Music and Video) said “I have spent 37 years in retail, and enough is enough.

“I knew this place needed some fresh blood, and we came to an agreement and it’s done.”

Washik bought The Stove Store from Chet Bisnett, Sr. 24 years ago, when it was at Bisnett’s metals yard at the west end of Potsdam.

Washik added swimming pool sales in 1988, giving him a cold weather and a warm weather business. He moved it to 7018 St. Rt. 56 a year later, and re-dubbed the business SummerHaven in 1994.

The business includes installation and maintenance services and supplies for the wood stoves, pools and spas.

To his customers, Washik wants to say “Thank you for almost a quarter century of great times and good friendship, but it’s time to move on.”

He says he looks forward to getting “caught up on some projects, and writing a book.

“I’ve had a novel in my head for the last five years and it’s time to get it out. It’s a love story but with action and adventure.”

Rob Bicknell says the company plans no big changes at SummerHaven.

“We’re going to keep it all there, with the same name, and the same people,” Bicknell said.

The hours of operation will remain 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.