Mr Goodare has been both owner and manager of the store and remembers when cellphones were still a limited market.
"In late 1996 there was just one cell tower and some people thought mobile phones were yuppie toys," he said.
"The things that mobile phones promised back then took a long time to come to fruition because the infrastructure wasn't there.
"It is really only in the last five years that the technology has been able to deliver on that early promise."
Mr Goodare's 50th birthday has been another significant event in his life that has influenced his decision.
"There are not many people over 50 working in mobile phone sales and I decided I didn't want to still be working in retail at 65."
After talking to Craig Cleveland of Cleveland Funerals he was offered a job as the business was looking to take on another person.
"It was serendipity. The timing couldn't have been more perfect," says Mr Goodare.
Brydie Statham, who has worked with Mr Goodare at the Vodafone shop for three years, will take over the management role.
"I'm leaving it in her capable hands," he said.
The Cleveland family were looking forward to John Goodare joining their team this week.
"It will be good to have him here although I'm sure people will miss seeing him about the Avenue," said Laura Cleveland.
"I hope he is looking as forward to being here as we are to having him with us."
