by Danny Rubin

Account Manager, Rubin Communications Group

Over the past two weeks, you couldn’t help but hear about the grand opening of West Marine’s new flagship store in Virginia Beach.

The reason? The Rubin Communications media blitz that positioned West Marine and its top local staff on TV, in print and on prominent local news web sites. With interviews on “The Hampton Roads Show,” WVEC-TV, WNIS 790 AM and key write-ups in The Virginian Pilot, Inside Business and WTKR.com, West Marine was top of mind across South Hampton Roads.

That’s why “Cruising for a Cause,” West Marine’s signature grand opening event held on Thursday, September 12, was a unparalleled success with hundreds in attendance and over $7,500 raised for area fishing and boating nonprofits.

Virginia Beach City Councilman Jim Wood prepares to cut the ribbon alongside West Marine staff and store customers to officially open the 23,000 square foot flagship store in Loehmann’s Plaza in Virginia Beach on Thursday, September 12.

Inside the store for “Cruising for a Cause,” people checked out West Marine products, ate delicious Italian food from Reginella’s, listened to classic music from local favorite Lewis McGehee and competed for terrific auction prizes like a brand-new stand-up paddleboard.

Need new shoes? West Marine’s got ’em…along with thousands of other fishing and boating products.

West Marine Regional Vice President Jim Abel chats with party-goers at the “Cruising for a Cause” charity celebration on Thursday, September 12.

Special thanks to members of local fishing and boating organizations who participated in the grand opening festivities: Wish-a-Fish Foundation, BoatU.S. Foundation, Great Bridge Fisherman’s Association, Norfolk Anglers, Portsmouth Anglers, Virginia Beach Anglers Club and Catchin’ for Kids.

Want more photos from the weekend fun? Check out the RCG album on Facebook!