Photos by JOHN LARSON
RICHARD CARITHERS, LEFT, AND MARCIA WEBB OF HARMONY CHAPTER 18 OF DISABLED VETERANS OF AMERICA SERVE A HOT DOG TO A CUSTOMER IN FRONT OF WEST MARINE ON JULY 10.
From basic items such as life jackets and ropes to more specialized gear such as cooking grills and radio equipment, West Marine sells virtually any product a boater could want.
Randy Repass founded the company, as West Coast Ropes in the Bay Area, in 1968. Back then he was selling nylon rope from his garage. The first retail store opened in Palo Alto, Calif. in 1975. The company’s name changed to West Marine Products in 1977. Based in Watsonville, Calif., it has grown into a chain with more than 380 stores across North America. The Fife store opened about 15 years ago. It has 10 employees.
“This is a one-stop shop for boaters,” Assistant Man-ager Rhonda Tudor said. “If you own a boat, you know what this place is.”
The line of products is considerable. One section is for shoes, jackets and other articles of clothing. One aisle is full of life jackets. Kayaks and inflatable objects that can pull passengers behind boats are popular. Fishing rods are a big seller.
Tudor said the company is always monitoring trends in boating to ensure the shelves of stores are stocked with what customers are looking for.
“We are constantly bringing in new products,” she said. “Things change rapidly in boating.”
Ongoing improvements in technology are reflected in the electronic items sold. Touch-screen global positioning satellite devices are hot right now, Tudor noted.
The Fife store began a fundraising effort last summer for Disabled American Veterans. The store manager at the time contacted Mark Melton, commander of Harmony Chapter 18, based in Lakewood.
Members of the organization came out one day last year to cook and sell hot dogs in front of the store. Money raised went toward food baskets for needy veterans and their families at Christmas. Last year 30 families received baskets.
The chapter is back again this summer. The store invited members to raise funds on two weekends in May and on July 2 and 3, taking advantage of the large number of customers stopping in on the holiday weekend. They were on hand again on July 10 and plan to return at least one more weekend this summer.
West Marine supplies the hot dogs, chips, soda pop and propane.
“It is raising money for a great cause,” Tudor said. “It is important to give back to people who have given so much for our country.”
Many customers who come by when the fundraiser is going on thank store staff for promoting this and shake hands with the veterans running the table out front. “That gave me goose bumps,” Tudor remarked.
Melton said the goal this year is to provide baskets for 60 families. He expected to raise between $350 and $400 on July 10. He presented a certificate of appreciation to the store. It is hanging on the wall above the customer service desk.
“This is a great company,” Melton said. “They are so willing to help. A lot of companies just do not think about disabled veterans.”
For more information on Fife’s West Marine (3212 20th St. E.), call (253) 926-2533.
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