New owner of Meredith Marina eyes future expansion

MEREDITH — The Meredith Marina and Boating Center is under new ownership. The Lakes Region trio plans to continue the services offered, and expand, in anticipation of more boats on Lake Winnipesaukee.

The marina was purchased on Aug. 15, by managing partner Mike Sherman, along with minority partners Jerry Milligan and Chris Choma. Sherman said Choma was friends with Travis Williams, the marina’s current president and former general manager under John O’Neil.

This opened the conversation to buy the marina, as O’Neil was looking to move on after 21 years owning the business.

“This created the opportunity for us to buy it,” Sherman said.

Sherman expects year one to be busy, and they already have plans to build more storage just a couple miles from the marina.

“In addition to the marina property at 2 Bay Shore Drive, the purchase also included 23 acres of land on Daniel Webster Highway where PAWS Antiques used to be,” said Sherman, who intends to demolish the structure and start fresh. “We are looking to develop that property with more inside storage, to expand our customer base for winter storage.”

Currently, the marina has about 400 storage customers, and he sees that number rising with the influx of new residents, most of whom either have a boat, or will be looking to buy one.

“We know this: the number of marinas on the lake will continue to be the same, but with a new population coming into the area, we will see an increase in the storage area market,” Sherman said.

Williams, who is in his eighth season at the marina, said his new role as president has been “business as usual, but with an emphasis on improvement.” He said just driving around the Lakes Region, it's clear more people are moving into the area who will have boats in the coming years. With other improvements and expansion in the works, he is excited for the marina's future.

“We’re putting ourselves into a position to facilitate services and streamline them at a much higher and efficient level,” Williams said. “Mike bought, for one, an irreplaceable location. We also have the best staff in the Lakes Region.”

Sherman said he has a good, trusted “leadership team” in place that has made for a seamless transition for customers.

“I doubt most are even aware a new ownership has taken place,” Sherman said.

Williams pointed out there are team members who have been there for years, including Tracy Wujcik, in her 18th year. He then pointed in the direction of a forklift coming down the hill toward the water and shouted, “Hey Alex, how long have you been here?”

“Nine-and-a-half years,” Alex Brown yelled, flashing a grin.

Williams and Sherman agreed having longevity in staff like this is not only rare, but integral in creating what is often a family-style environment. He said this extends to their relationship with customers and the brands with whom they choose to partner.

“I am proud [of] the culture we have built here,” Williams said.

Sherman, a Governor’s Island resident, is the owner of two other local businesses: Melcher & Prescott Insurance in Laconia, and the Ridge Country Club in Gilford.

“Jerry is one of the minority members with me in The Ridge, so this became another venture we could do together,” Sherman said. “The exciting part of it was the longevity of the marina, and more important it was that the entire staff, led by Travis, is remaining with us.”

Much like his other businesses, Sherman plans to be a part of operations in some capacity.

“I anticipate being a little more hands-on than John was,” Sherman said. “This is just my personal nature. I like to watch out where my money goes. I will be working with Travis on a regular basis, but him and his team have been operating the marina as they did when John O’Neil owned it.”

Marina services include winter storage, sales and maintenance of new and used vessels, valet throughout boating season, rentals of more than 20 boats and personal watercrafts, a ship store with gas and other marine supplies, and detailing.

“This year the lake is substantially lower than normal, so the winter storage season started early, because people can’t use their boats, or can’t get in and out of their docks,” Sherman said. “So, we’ve been getting calls saying, ‘Come pick up my boat.’”

The marina offers a pickup and delivery service, but clients with trailers also bring their boats in to be stored. Boats are kept both inside and outside, and are wrapped to keep them secure from the elements.

The low lake level has made it tough for some boaters to enjoy the lake, but boating season generally runs right through Columbus Day.

“Between now and then we’ll be busy bringing boats in for storage, but with weather like we have now, people still like being out on the lake,” Sherman said.

While Sherman already owns a Bennington pontoon boat and loves to take the children and grandchildren out for tubing and cruising the lake, he's still brand new to the marina business. Since the purchase, Sherman has been getting a “crash course” in the ins and outs of the industry, and said he is “excited for the future.

“I am a big fan of the natural beauty of Meredith,” Sherman said. “I think the marina, adding on to what Rusty [McLear] did for development, will see facility improvements commensurate with overall town improvements over the last three decades.”