A long-time local business is closing next month. As of Nov. 20, Massey's Marine Supply, which has been a South Delta staple since the 1930s, will close its doors.
Owner Garry Notenbomer cites the change in the boating industry for the move.
"It's been really difficult the last four or five years," he said.
A move to online sales, fewer recreational boaters and a reduction in the commercial fishing industry have all hit the business hard. Notenbomer, who owns the store along with wife Diane, said the associated costs of boating have deterred many from taking up the hobby.
"It's just become very unaffordable," he said.
That combined with the dwindling number of commercial fisherman have made the 5,000-square-foot store an impractical way of doing business.
Notenbomer, a former commercial fisherman, said he and Diane hope to re-open in the new season offering express parts delivery and on-board consultations.
The business started in the 1930s as a machinist in the building adjacent to the current location. It later became Massey's Marine Supply and moved across the street.
The Notenbomers took over the store from Doug Massey in the 1990s and in 2003 the couple restored the current location, which was a former general store, The Big Store. The building had fallen into disrepair over the years and the Notenbomers completely restored it, establishing office space on the second floor.
The couple received the Heritage Preservation Award from the Corporation of Delta in 2005 for the restoration of the Chisholm Street building, which was originally constructed in 1905.
Massey's Marine Supply will start a "going out of business" sale Saturday.
