Woody’s Boathouse and Gifts set sail just last year when they embarked on their journey to create a unique gift shop in the community. Located in Port Clinton, Ohio, Woody’s Boat and Gifts appeals to the many vacationers and fishermen to the area who look for memorable gifts to complement their wild pursuits. In celebration of Independent Retailer Month, we sat down with owner Dennis Stacy to discuss the inspiration behind the store’s nautical theme, his experience with MOVA Creations, and why he’s proud to be an Independent Retailer.
Tell us a little bit about how Woody’s Boathouse & Gifts started.
Woody’s Boathouse & Gifts started out as a pole barn to store a 30’ wooden boat prototype. We had been storing this beautiful, all mahogany prototype speedboat that my wife’s father designed and built in the late 1990’s. We thought it would be much better if we had our own heated building instead of paying someone else to store it year after year. Well, the plans kept expanding so we ended up purchasing some vacant land and decided to incorporate a nautical gift shop around the boat. So after about 6 months of building and stocking the gift shop we opened Woody’s Boathouse & Gifts on August 21, 2014!
Why are you proud to be an Independent Retailer?
My wife and I enjoy the “mom and pop” type stores. We want to be able to contribute to the economy and development of Port Clinton and this is one way we hope we can. We’ve had several retail shops in the past, and enjoyed it, so it seemed like a perfect fit for us.
What makes your store unique? Why do your customers love shopping there?
We strive to carry a line of merchandise that people do not find just anywhere, such as the MOVA Globes. We also carry many nautical items both vintage and antique for the marine collector and many fine gifts for home decor. Also, my wife and I are basically the only ones who run the store so we try to have a friendly customer relationship with all our visitors.
How are you impacting your community?
By giving the community and its visitors another place and choice for shopping. Woody’s has [also] donated items for community fundraisers and [we] support the area Chamber of Commerce. We will be holding our first Nautical Flea Market on September 13.
What makes the city of Port Clinton interesting and why should people visit the area?
Port Clinton, Ohio is located on the shores of Lake Erie, the Walleye Capital of the World, about midway between Toledo. Ohio and Cleveland, Ohio. Tens of thousands of tourists visit each year for fishing, vacationing, Cedar Point, the Lake Erie Islands, and much more! It is a very exciting, friendly and fun place to visit!
When did you first discover MOVA Globes?
About one year ago in a gift shop in Michigan. What was your initial reaction to them? I couldn’t understand HOW they were rotating on those acrylic spindles! We both thought what a great item to offer to our customers!
What are your customers’ general responses to MOVA Globes?
Most are in awe of the operation of the globes. Everyone agrees they are a special item and a perfect gift when the customer asks “What do you get for someone that has everything”? Get them a MOVA!
Which model is your favorite and why?
The Satellite View with Gold Lettering and the Earth with Clouds seem to be the most popular.
You mentioned that you opened on August 21, 2014 – the store’s one year anniversary is close! Is your store doing anything to celebrate?
We will probably run an anniversary sale and have some refreshments. The year flew by. The response was WAY more than than we ever anticipated.
Port Clinton, Ohio
www.woodysboathouseandgifts.com
https://www.facebook.com/WoodysBoathouse
Are you in the same boat as Woody’s Boathouse & Gifts? Learn more about some of our other amazing MOVA Globe independent retailers and find a MOVA retailer near you!