This upcoming January will mark 25 years that Beaufort Boat & Dock Supply has provided the area with the essentials of life on the water. In January of 1999, locals Michele Tanis and Duncan O'Quinn set out to sell dock hardware and fasteners for those building their own docks in the marshy waters of Beaufort County.
In The Beginning
Originally situated on Lady's Island, the in-law pair set up shop behind what is now the Mermaid Chandelier on Sea Island Parkway. Their humble beginnings provided locals with the essentials for assembling, building and maintaining their docks. Michele recalls having no heat in their first shop. During the winter months, she would lock up the shop to use the then-new Circle K's bathroom because their shop was so cold the hand soap would freeze!
Nonetheless, "Beaufort Fasteners & Dock Hardware" (their official name) was often asked if they carried boat and dock-related items, mostly hunting and fishing gear. Michele began to take notes in a spiral notebook of each request. At the time, there weren't many places to buy tackle and such, mainly Kmart. So, each time a customer would ask for something they didn't carry, Michele would jot it down in her notebook. The entries gave her great insight into what the locals were looking for.
Jumping Ship & Moving to Port Royal
After a few years of less-than-ideal conditions, their current Ribaut building became available for purchase. The local entrepreneurs jumped at the opportunity to have a more spacious building with greater exposure (and heat!). Located at 1734 Ribaut Road, the once Magic Mart Convenience Store - locals remember it for having the best Slurpees in town - soon became a cornerstone business of Port Royal.
Ever lurking in Michele's mind was the spiral notebook and when an outfitter's store on Lady's Island announced it was closing in 2003, she seized the wonderful opportunity for Beaufort Boat & Dock Supply to expand its business of dock supplies and fasteners to include bait and tackle. Michele inquired and the owner said to bring boxes and a check. And, so she did!
Michele added to Beaufort Boat & Dock a whopping 4 feet of wall space for her newfound bait and tackle. She recalls how helpful the lady who sold her the beginnings of their fishing supplies, passing along a world of information, including her Rolodex of contacts and fishing supply shows. Her years of experience helped pave the way for Michele to incorporate the bait and tackle business into their dock and fastener business. Today, you might think it would have been the other way around as the bulk of their shop is lined with colorful fishing equipment from floor to ceiling!
Casting Their Net into New Waters
Taking this newfound knowledge, Michele set off to her very first fishing gear show that same year. Although Michele may have felt she knew nothing of the business, she was equipped with years of local study having listened and carefully noted the requests of customers. With a desire to fill the needs of the local fishermen and an entrepreneurial spirit, Michele began to grow what is now one of the most cherished local businesses in town.
That year, the family business shut down for the Thanksgiving Holidays and remodeled, adding offices and a bait room. Their new business venture continued to grow and over the years, Beaufort Boat & Dock built a reputation for being the friendliest spot to grab your bait and supplies before heading out fishing for the day and most notably, where smiling faces greeted you by name.
The family-run local business is known just for that - knowing its customers. Having dedicated themselves to meeting the needs of the locals, they have also come to develop long-lasting relationships with Beaufort-area citizens and have served as an instrumental piece to many tourists' experience in Port Royal. Situated on the corner of Ribaut and Royal Palms Road, their shop is centrally located to the area's water. Whether on your way to The Sands, going out on your boat, or if you're fishing along the Spanish Moss Trail, they're nearby and stocked with bait!
And, that is why we wanted to spotlight Beaufort Boat & Dock Supply. The friendly and helpful atmosphere contributes to the overall feel of Port Royal, making it a cool, coastal and far from ordinary town to both live and visit. You can find fishing gear, boating supplies, dock supplies and hardware, along with some of the coolest names in fishing wear.
Michele speaks fondly of running a business in Port Royal, citing the golf-cart community, the Spanish Moss Trail, and the overall laidback coastal vibe as a wonderful small-town lifestyle that makes Port Royal so special. Her family brings their golf cart to Port Royal to participate in local events, such as the 4th of July fireworks. She's thrilled to see some of the budding growth in Port Royal, such as Shellring. Although it was sad to see Dockside leave, she's hopeful with Safe Harbor's purchase of the port, there will be continued growth in our remarkable little town.
After More than 20 Years, Port Royal is Home
One thing is for sure, Michele and family aren't planning on going anywhere! They're committed to our community and it's easy to see they love it here! As sponsors of both the Beaufort Water Festival in the spring and Beaufort's Young Life Fishing Derby in the fall, Beaufort Boat & Dock continues to invest back into our community. Both events host their Captain's meetings at the shop and the Beaufort Boat & Dock Supply staff takes great pride in getting to know the local volunteers and fishermen.
If you haven't stopped in yet, make a point to come and meet the friendly staff and Tim the Terrible Turtle! With a warm smile, they are always happy to help you find the right gear, give you some local fishing knowledge and tips, and might even share some of the area's best-kept secret fishing holes. You'll be reminded of why people love Port Royal and the Lowcountry feeling that draws people to this special area.
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