Martel's reopens under new name and ownership

After a brief interruption, Martel's Bait and Sport Shop, a fixture on Winnisquam Avenue since 1938, has reopened under new ownership and with a new name — Story's Sport Shop. "The name fits because everyone who comes in has a story," said Wayne McLean, who with his father Bob, owns and operates the business.

In August the store suddenly closed amid a flurry of reports that the business was awash in debt. In April 2005 Ralph Langevin sold the business and leased the property to Martel's Bait and Sport Shop, LLC, registered to Sharel L. Giroux of Pittsfield, though the store was managed by Lester Firstenberger, an attorney also from Pittsfield.

Langevin said yesterday that the issues that led the business to close have been resolved.

As the owners of McLean's Mobil Marina, down the street at the foot of Winnisquam Avenue, the new owners, who are residents of Belmont, are no strangers to either the neighborhood or the lake. "We've been repairing and storing boats for 14 years and running the marina for seven," McLean said, "and hunting and fishing have been the love of our lives forever." By taking over the shop, he said "we're broadening our horizons."

Ever since the shop closed Langevin said "I've had guys asking every day "when us it going to open? . . . when is it going to open?"

McLean said "apart from moving a few things around, we're going to keep everything just the way it has always been." He stressed that the boat ramp, which for the past several years has offered the only public access to Lake Winnisquam, "will run as it has in the past, but at a lower price. In fact, all our prices are going back to reality," he remarked. "We'll have all the live bait, along with all the fishing tackle and guns." Likewise, the McLeans have invited several long-time, familiar employees to return, including Bill Martel, who worked in the store founded by his father for 69 of his 82 years.

Langevin said that the construction of the public trailered boat launch across the river promises to boost business at the store. "I've already seen advertisements in boating and sporting magazines announcing that the launch will be open next spring," he said, adding that the shop would supply and outfit the sportsmen drawn to the launch.

McLean said that a grand opening, with coffee and donuts, will be held Saturday, December 15.