Out with the old and in with the new: St. Petersburg's Johnson Sails Inc. (JSI) hosted the grand opening and open house of its new store and image -- the Island Nautical brand -- on July 23.
In an attempt to make St. Pete's oldest marine store the newest, JSI/Island Nautical Outdoor Center and its team of about 30 employees welcomed the company's new image in hopes of attracting new customers while keeping dedicated JSI brand regulars.
"Traditionally catering to the local sailboat industry and sailboat owners, Island Nautical will now offer services and equipment for powerboaters, as well," says owner Bill Wright. "The manufacturing side of the business will retain the JSI name while the renaming of the store comes with the hope of attractive new boaters unfamiliar with us."
Currently located at 2233 3rd Ave. South in St. Pete, the company has been in business for more than 50 years; JSI began as a company when the late Clint Johnson began making sails. Since then, Wright has taken over the trade, specializing in sail products and services while offering supplies and merchandise from sunglasses to cushions to rigging to electronics.
In welcoming its new space and brand, operations at Island Nautical will be overseen by former sales manager at Doyle Ploch Sailmakers, Tim Stodola.
Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Bill Wright, JSI/Island Nautical Outdoor Center
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