EXLUSIVE INTERVEIW WITH NEW OWNERS OF AMELIA ISLAND BAIT AND TACKLE

 

I reached out to the new owners of the Amelia Island Bait and Tackle shop - the Bremer family and

we did a "virtual" interview. I've stopped in a couple of times and they've been hard at it, doing some Spring cleaning, re-organization and with the Virus issue, slowly easing in to life as bait shop owners!

    Can you give us a brief "Bio" of your family and how you decided to take the plunge and purchase the shop?

Chris and Lisa Bremer met and raised their family in Chicago.  Chris is from St. Louis MO, Lisa grew up in Keystone Heights, outside Gainesville.  They have been residents of the Island since 2009, Lisa introduced Chris to the Island on one of their trips to Florida to visit her family, he fell in love with it immediately.  They have 3 children and 2 grandchildren.  Their youngest, Nik and his wife Tyler live in LA.   

In early March, Chris logged onto Captain Lawrence Piper’s website to book a charter, who he had fished with prior during the holidays with Nik a few years ago.  He saw the posting that the Bait and Tackle shop was for sale.  Chris called Jim Johnson immediately to find the details, as Chris and Nik have both enjoyed fishing their entire lives.  They were taught by Chris’ uncle, “Uncle Johnny”, who lived in Hollywood, FL.  After speaking with Jim, Chris called Nik to ask if he was interested in pursing the opportunity.  Nik was excited but hesitant and needed to discuss with his wife Tyler.  Literally 2 days later, Nik and Tyler were both laid off from their jobs due to the COVID, the next day they flew to Jacksonville to check out the shop and speak to Jim. 

The rest is history, Jim and Sally turned the store over to the Bremer family on Saturday, March 28, the sale was completed on Thursday, April 9^th.  They are very excited to be part of the community and meeting all the locals who love fishing as much as they do.  

  Any immediate changes/improvements that you've done since taking over? 

When you stop by, you will notice they have reorganized the store a bit, moving the rods to the back and displaying the wide variety of reels they have in stock.  In addition, they will be giving the store a “face lift” with a fresh coat of paint.  They intend to continue carrying the products and bait Jim and Sally have carried and would like to expand their product line based on your needs.

 

Any additions/subtractions to the shop?

Not at this time, they have spent their time getting acquainted with the store, the inventory and their customers.  They intent on continuing and expanding the great service Jim and Sally have provided to the fishing community..

 Any future plans that you're contemplating?

In addition to expanding their product line to meet your needs, they would like to offer a “pre-order/pay” for bait on-line and have it ready for the Charter Captains in the morning, you won’t have to get out of your truck.  The thought is to set up a “drive through” bait pick up in the back of the shop where the bait can be put directly into your live well, there is more room to navigate a boat in the back than in the front parking lot.

They would like to offer on-line purchases for the Contender Lures, rigs and leaders made in house and use technology, to strengthen the store’s brand as well as offer value to their customers. 

Anything else that you'd like to get out to the public?

They will be holding a grand opening as soon as the “house lock down is released”.  Although business has been quieter than normal, it has offered the Bremers a chance to get to know their store and their customers.