FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (August 8, 2013) – West Marine (Nasdaq:WMAR), the nation’s largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, will open its first Virginia flagship store in Virginia Beach with a long weekend of special events from September 12-15. The store will be in the Loehmann’s Plaza Shopping Center at 4000 Virginia Beach Boulevard in Virginia Beach, just east of Pembroke.
The grand opening celebration begins on Thursday September 12 at 8 a.m. with free t-shirts for the first 100 guests, plus giveaways and door-buster deals throughout the weekend. That evening from 6:00-9:00 p.m., West Marine will host “Cruising for a Cause” Charity Night to support local marine-based non-profits, including the BoatU.S. Foundation, Norfolk Anglers, Catching for the Kids, Virginia Beach Anglers Club, Wish-A-Fish Foundation and Great Bridge Fisherman’s Association.
The new 23,000 square foot flagship store is larger than three current West Marine locations in Norfolk and Virginia Beach combined. “Here in Hampton Roads and across the country we are consolidating our smaller stores into large flagship stores to provide a wider selection of boating, fishing, paddling and watersports gear, apparel, footwear and accessories,” says Jim Abel, Regional Vice President for West Marine. “For instance, we will have 19,000 products in this new store versus 8,000 in each of the locations that are closing. Our customers are responding positively to these larger stores where they can get everything in one location that they will need for a great day out on the water.”
The Loehmann’s Plaza store will have nearly 100 marine electronics on display to touch and test. There will be an engine parts counter staffed by specialists, a large assortment of watersports products, including stand-up paddleboards, plus footwear and casual and technical apparel. A new “Bait Shack” will boast a broad selection of fishing gear, specifically selected for the Hampton Roads area.
Store Manager Annette Renfro is excited to be leading a staff of 34 with more than 400 years of collective on-the-water experience. “This new store will have everything a boater, angler or watersports enthusiast wants and needs. But if we don’t have a product customers want, we’ll get it, because their satisfaction is our number one goal,” says Renfro. “I hope all of our current patrons and others who have never been to West Marine will come out for the grand opening events to see what we have to offer and help our local non-profits.”
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About West Marine
West Marine, Inc. is the largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, with nearly 300 company-operated stores located in 38 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and five franchised stores located in Turkey. Founded in 1968 by a sailor, West Marine has grown to become a leading omni-channel retailer for boats and boaters – from power cruisers and sailors to anglers and paddle sports enthusiasts. West Marine also offers gear, apparel and footwear for anyone who enjoys recreational time on or around the water. The company’s Port Supply division is one of the largest wholesale distributors of marine equipment serving boat manufacturers, marine services, commercial vessel operators and government agencies. For more information on West Marine, Inc., and its products and store locations, visit westmarine.com or call 1-800-BOATING (1-800-262-8464). West Marine’s stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol WMAR.
