Credit Guides And Credit Services

Mayor Proclaims November 11-13

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (November 2, 2005) - West Marine, Inc., the country's favorite retailer of boating supplies and accessories, today announced that it will open a new store with an on site service and installation center making it the company's largest, and most distinct outlet in Clearwater and Tampa Bay.

This store marks the first West Marine location in the area with a West Marine Boat Services Center onsite, with industry-certified technicians working in the store's service bays, diagnosing and examining vessels, performing installations, offering engine tune-ups and trailer repairs with each service backed by West Marine's "No-Hassle Guarantee."

"Our focus is on taking care of our customers beyond their expectations," said Peter Harris, chief executive officer, West Marine. "We want the maintenance and repair process to be easy, so Tampa Bay's boaters can get back on the water fast."

The grand opening celebration of West Marine's Clearwater store takes place Friday, November 11, through Sunday, November 13, 2005. Festivities begin Friday, November 11, at 8 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Clearwater Mayor, Frank Hibbard, Vice Mayor, Bill Jonson and Councilmember's Hoyt Hamilton, and John Doran to officially declare, November 11 - November
13 "West Marine Weekend."

Free t-shirts will be given to the first 100 customers each day and the host from the new ESPN show "Wanna Go Fishing," will be on site on Friday to select an unsuspecting customer for the fishing trip of a lifetime. John Greviskis of Ship Shape TV will make an appearance on Saturday and the celebration will continue throughout the weekend with refreshments, special discounts and prize giveaways.

Boasting nearly 23,000 square feet of retail space, the location is packed with thousands of product offerings. In addition, West Marine has more than 50,000 products available at westmarine.com, by catalog, via phone at 1-800- BOATING or by visiting any of West Marine stores located throughout Tampa Bay and Saint Petersburg.

On Saturday, November 12, West Marine will donate five percent of that day's sales to Coastal Conservation Association's (CCA) Florida one of 19 statewide chapters working in an advocacy role to protect the state's marine resources and the interests of saltwater anglers. West Marine has long championed good corporate citizenship. The company's mission includes contributing to the social needs of the communities in which it does business - all while enjoying the fun of boating. In the years ahead, West Marine looks forward to partnering with other local boating and conservation groups and becoming a resource for the Tampa Bay boating community.

The Clearwater West Marine store is located at 1721 Gulf to Bay Blvd (also known as Route 60), two miles west of Route 19. Store Manager, Kevin Davenport, has a lifetime of boating and retail experience and is an avid powerboater.

[ Comment, Edit or Article Submission ]