Saying goodbye After 31 years of service, Barry's Taxi closes
7/30/2008

By NATHAN WOODSIDE

Eagle Managing Editor

MACOMB - In the 31 years Barry's Taxi has served Macomb, the cars have seen it all. From celebrities to rowdy college students, from soon-to-be mothers in labor to mischievous youngsters, the city's only taxi service has dropped off its last rider.

"We've all prayed up here and prayed up here and just hoped that something would come up," said owner Luan Barry. "I kept thinking that something would happen to keep it open for us but it didn't. It's disappointing, very disappointing."

With less than 10 hours of operation left, Barry's dispatch office was decorated with bouquets and "We'll miss you" greeting cards. A carved wooden sign hung on the wall, reading, "There are no strangers, only people we haven't met."

“We just didn't have the money coming back to us like we should have had," Barry said. "Every summer's been hard."

The spike in gas prices, insurance prices and minimum wage were the end deciders, according to Barry, who said she just didn't want to raise her rates any higher.

"I probably should have done it (raised rates)," Barry said. "Everyone said to do it. Even students told me to do it but everyone has been really tight with finances and I was just afraid people wouldn't have it."

For many of Barry's customers, they're losing a service they've counted on for years.

Barry said she's gotten several phone calls from people who depend on the taxi service and are upset about the closing.

"One lady had called us and was just devastated," Barry said. "She just had surgery and said she was thinking about selling her car because it costs so much for maintenance and gas and that she was only going to ride with us because we're open seven days a week."

Barry said anther lady called who was afraid she'd lose her job because she now has no way to get work.

At the thought of no longer being there for her customers, Barry began to tear up.

"A lot of our riders aren't just customers, they're friends," Barry said. "Even the little kids. You get so attached to them. It's all the good times we shared with employees and the customers that have become friends. Sometimes I'd forget to ask them for their fees, I'd known them for so long."

Barry's taxi has been there for Macomb residents, not only driving them to work or school, but sometimes acting as an ambulance.

"We've taken lots of mothers in labor to the hospital," Barry laughed. "It's happened more than I'd like to say. One time, in particular, there was a lady out at Lamoine Village. Our driver about croaked but he did get her out to the hospital in time."

The taxis have also seen dark times, driving one gentleman to the hospital with severe chest pains who soon passed away from a heart attack.

At one time, Barry asked the police department if it'd be willing to escort the taxis to the hospital in cases of medical emergencies but because of various traffic dangers, it couldn't be done.

Barry's has also acted as a limo service, driving celebrities such as Bob Hope, Reba McEntire and Red Skelton to local events.

The service's drivers have also had their share of multi-tasking, many times becoming amateur therapists, lending an ear to the troubles of their riders.

"People will talk to you about anything, like they've known you for years," said driver Steve Smith, who added riders seem to be more open and say things they wouldn't to other people.

Smith added he's given lots of advice while driving the streets of Macomb.

The taxis have also fallen victim to some mischievous youngsters.

"Once we had a little kid set off a stink bomb in one our cars and I told him, 'If you were of age, I'd have to arrested in a heartbeat!' We had to shut down the car and the driver had to go home."

Barry added drivers have had countless problems with inebriated riders losing their lunch in the cars. Cleanup fees for that kind of accident were $75.

"Sometimes I'd have to remind the drivers that it's just a short trip," Barry chuckled.

Taxi services across the state are hurting, according the Barry. She called several other cities who all said they weren't doing well.

However, Barry said the business is profitable in Macomb, if done right. She's currently selling the business and hopes someone will take it over. She's had several interested parties contact her.

"I just want to thank Macomb and everyone who sent us cards and flowers," Barry said. "Everyone has been so good to us. It's been very interesting and very challenging. It's been just like meeting a bunch of friends."